Impressed Line and Sgraffito Techniques

Impressed Line Technique

The impressed line technique is used for achieving fine white lines, such as whiskers, whispy hairs, details in flowers etc, by using a blunt object such as a wooden stylus, or a rounded toothpick.

Here are few tips:

Make sure the instrument you use has no sharp point, as it will tear the paper's surface.

For a white impressed line, make sure you mark the impressed line areas on your paper first, before applying any colors.

You can apply layers of a light color first, then make your impressed line over that layer of color.

You may add light layers of color to the groove later, if you wish.

You can also use a white color pencil to impress lines with or any other light color pencil.

Press or indent your lines carefully, maintaining same constant pressure throughout the length of the whisker or hair.

Decrease pressure or indentation near the tip or end of the whisker or hair, to suggest realism.

Sgraffito Technique

Sgraffito is scratching the surface of the paper with an exacto knife or any other similar object, in order to expose another color underneath on your paper. Make sure you have applied several layers of color before you begin this technique. This technique can also be used to create whiskers, whispy lines of hair and other minute detail. However, be very careful you don't damage the surface of your paper.

Samples of Impressed Line Technique and Sgraffito

Click to see larger image

BACK NEXT

An Affiliate of Dick Blick Art Materials

~Site Map~