Scratch Art for Adults – How to Get Started
Scratch art is an easy way to create a striking picture without any drawing skills. The surface is black, and when you scratch it with a pen, gold and colours appear underneath. In this guide you'll find out what comes in the pack, how to do a scratch art picture and how to get a neat result.
Scratch art in brief:
- Place the picture on a flat table in good light.
- Put a sheet of paper under your hand so the black surface doesn't get scratched.
- Scratch the main outlines first, then the small details.
- Brush away the loose dust with a soft brush.
- Frame the finished picture behind glass.
What is scratch art?
A scratch art picture has a coloured or metallic base covered with a thin black coating. When you scratch the coating away, the colour underneath shows through. The outlines are printed on the picture, so you always know where to scratch. The result looks like an engraving: bright lines stand out against the black background.
Our scratch art pictures often feature cityscapes and landmarks such as Paris, Venice and Big Ben. Parts of the picture, such as trees and flowers, are already in colour, and you scratch out the gold details.
What's in the pack?
Our 30 × 40 cm scratch art pictures come with:
- a scratch art picture with printed outlines
- a wooden scratching pen
- an envelope-style pack that also works as gift wrapping.
The wooden pen is all you need to get started. For finer lines, our scratch art tool set includes a precision knife, a metal-tipped pen, a dust brush and wooden and plastic scratching sticks.
If it's your first time, start with a smaller A4 or A5 picture. There's less to scratch, and you can finish it in one evening.
How to do a scratch art picture
- Set up your workspace. You need a flat table and good light. The outlines are easiest to see when the light comes from the side.
- Protect the surface. Put a sheet of paper under your hand. The black coating scratches easily, and a sweaty hand or a ring can leave marks on it.
- Start with the main lines. Scratch the main outlines of the picture first, such as the edges of a building. This helps you see the whole picture.
- Use light pressure. The coating comes off with a light stroke. Pressing too hard can tear the paper.
- Finish with the details. Thin lines, windows and decorations are done with a sharp tip. Turn the picture when needed so you always pull the line towards yourself.
- Brush away the dust. Scratching produces black dust. Brush it off with a soft brush rather than wiping it with your hand, as the dust can smudge the surface.
Techniques for a neat result
- Large areas: use the wide end of the pen or the flat side of a scratching stick, and scratch with short strokes in the same direction.
- Shading: scratching dense or sparse lines adds depth. Sparse lines look darker, dense lines lighter.
- Fine details: a metal-tipped pen or precision knife makes hair-thin lines.
- Breaks: take a break when your hand gets tired. A tired hand slips over the outline more easily.
If you scratch in the wrong place
You can't put the coating back. You can, however, cover a small mistake with a black marker: test it on the edge of the picture first to see how it looks on the surface. In most cases, a small slip won't show in the finished picture when you look at it from a normal distance.
Who is scratch art for?
Scratch art suits adults who want a calm activity without paint or mess. You don't need to buy any extra supplies, and you can put the picture aside at any time. Many people find the careful scratching relaxing, and it may help you switch off, especially if it replaces scrolling on your phone in the evening.
A scratch art picture also makes a good small gift: it's light to post, and the envelope-style pack already looks like a present.
Scratch art, paint by numbers or diamond painting?
- Scratch art is the quickest and tidiest: no paint, no small parts, and a 30 × 40 cm picture is done in a few evenings.
- Paint by numbers suits you if you want to paint with a brush and watch the picture take shape one colour at a time.
- Diamond painting suits you if you enjoy repetitive, precise work and a sparkling result.
To compare more techniques, our guide to craft kits for adults sorts them by time and mess.
Framing your finished scratch art
It's worth framing a finished scratch art picture behind glass, because the black surface scratches and picks up fingerprints. 30 × 40 cm is a common frame size, so a suitable frame is easy to find. If you don't frame the picture straight away, store it flat between sheets of protective paper.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a scratch art picture take?
It depends on the size and the amount of detail. A small A5 or A4 picture usually takes one evening, a 30 × 40 cm picture a few evenings.
Can I fix a spot I scratched by mistake?
You can't put the coating back, but you can cover a small mistake with a black marker. Test the marker on the edge of the picture first.
Do I need separate tools?
No. The pack includes a wooden scratching pen that you can use for the whole picture. A scratch art tool set makes fine details easier.
What is a scratch art book?
A scratch art book is a pad with several smaller scratch pages. We sell individual scratch art pictures, which are larger and suitable for framing.
Is scratch art suitable for children?
Our scratch art pictures are designed for adults.
The illustrations in this article are AI-generated.
Start your own project
A paint by numbers kit comes with the canvas, the acrylic paints and the brushes in one package.
