Scratchboard

The technique uses sharp knives and tools for engraving into the scratchboard, which is usually cardboard covered in a thin layer of white China clay coated with black India ink.

During that period, Virgil Finlay made detailed illustrations, often combining scraperboard methods with traditional pen & ink technique.

[3] The artist can use a variety of tools to scratch away the black ink from the board and reveal more or less of the white clay that is underneath.

[5] Illustrators who have worked in the scratchboard medium include Michael McCurdy,[6] Peter Blake,[7] Virgil Finlay,[8] John Schoenherr,[9] Jos Sances,[10] Sven Rayen and Scott McKowen.

[11][12] The comics artist Jacques Tardi used scratchboard to illustrate Jules Verne's science fiction in the style of 19th century woodcuts.

Cross section of scratchboard. By removing the black ink with a sharp tool, the artist exposes the white clay.