Mountain Man
by Myrna Galloway

Carved in stark contrasts of black and white, Mountain Man captures the rugged spirit of resilience etched into a weathered face. Every line, every groove in the scratchboard speaks of hard-earned wisdom and a life shaped by wilderness. The expressive features—deep-set eyes, a furrowed brow, and a presence both raw and dignified—convey a timeless strength.
 
Scratchboard as a Medium

Scratchboard is one of the most precise and unforgiving art forms. Each piece begins as a board layered with white clay, sealed beneath a coating of black India ink. Instead of adding pigment, the image is revealed by carefully removing the ink surface with razor blades and fine tools, exposing the white beneath.
 
Every stroke is permanent—there is no erasing, no painting over, no second attempt. This means the process requires complete control and foresight, with a true zero margin of error. Shadows, highlights, and textures are built line by line, stroke by stroke, often numbering in the thousands. The result is an image sculpted out of light, where fur, feathers, or intricate details emerge from the darkest surface.
 
The work is intensely time-consuming. A single piece may take weeks or months, as layers of precision cuts gradually form gradients, depth, and atmosphere. Scratchboard demands not only technical mastery but patience, discipline, and endurance. It is a medium that balances exacting control with the risk of permanence, producing artworks defined by their striking contrast and extraordinary detail.
 
 
 
11″ x 14″ (Vertical)
16″ x 20″ (Vertical)
18″ x 24″ (Vertical)
Canvas width, in
10.98
15.98
17.99
Canvas height, in
14.00
20.00
24.00
Canvas depth, in
1.25
1.25
1.25
Frame depth, in
1.75
1.75
1.75