A Scratchboard Bumblebee

Done On Clayboard

Feb 14, 2026

Earlier this year, I had signed up for a scratchboard class at a local institution, but was the only person to do so. The class was eventually cancelled, hopefully to be taking place again soon. So, I was able to spend some time with the instructor, having an art day, doing our scratchboard projects. Upon arrival and beginning to get down with the work, Mary had mentioned that I didn't really need any instruction since I have had some experience working with scratchboarding. I replied that I like taking classes here and there to not only keep up on the practice, but you never know what someone, an instructor, such as Mary, has to offer. I want to know how they work, the why’s, the what’s, etc. Plus, it is social time with like-minded individuals. Just being there watching her work was great and we had a good time.

I had a different design in mind, with my subject being a bumblebee. Earlier in the year, I had done a dinosaur with a specific design, based on the elephant head logo for the band Beat by Dan Ermey. I wanted to do something similar with this, but it just wasn’t flowing the way that I wanted, so I altered an old drawing that I did back in 2008. I was doing up sample CD cover designs, working just in black and white (of course!) and had this one of a bumblebee:

Bonus points for those that can get the joke on the band name… So witty.

The size was different than the clayboard that I had on hand, so a little photoshop alteration gave me the image that I needed. I then copied that onto the clayboard using some transfer paper that Mary had. You can see the red pen lines. Using red makes it easier to see where you left off and where you need to be.