Scratchboard Illustration of Theodore Roosevelt

Time-lapse video showing the process of rendering by hand a portraid of 26th U.S. President, Theodore Roosevelt, in scratchboard.
Note 1: I try to show my work process as accurately as possible. However, I do take some liberties with the editing of the videos. For instance, almost all my videos use time lapse to speed up the process. I would like to show an entire drawing in real time, but even my simplest drawings can take a full day--major drawings can take one to two weeks. No one wants to watch me draw for two weeks. Also, some of my edits are just for my own enjoyment. Video is a hobby for me, and I like to experiment.
Note 2: I call my drawing medium scratchboard, and it is. However, a more accurate description of my technique would be "pen and ink on white scratchboard." I work on white scratchboard, and I draw with pen and ink the parts that have a value of 50 percent gray or less. For areas that are 50 percent gray or darker, I block in with solid black ink and scratch in white lines for detail.
Note 3: I am showing how I work. However, although I have been an illustrator for over 35 years, there may be times when I am doing it wrong or not doing it in the best way.
Note 4: I am a commercial artist--not a fine artist. My work is meant to be printed. My clients don't usually care what my work would look like hanging on a wall. They only care what it looks like when printed in their ad, book, billboard, package, etc. Almost all the drawings in my videos have been used commercially.
Materials I use: Ampersand Claybord, white, 1/8 inch thick; Koh-i-noor Rapidograph pens (sizes I use most--.000, .00, .0); Higgins Black Magic ink or Koh-i-noor ink; Scratch-Art knives.
Illustration and video by Michael Halbert:
www.inkart.com/
www.behance.net...
Sound from The Library of Congress: 1149.mp3
www.loc.gov/it...

[@TheDreadfulCurtain]

Really impressive

[@user-kq8rk1vd3u]

Like magic

[@ininash]

That's so amazing

[@bauwine]

So satisfying 😍

[@qaannat]

Very nice!

[@schmobot]

Please come back, Ted

[@Super_Naught]

michael, im a scratchboard artist but have never messed with the white boards. can u tell me how u setup your french curve to make it drop in incriments like that. is it attached to your drafting table???
thanks ahead of time

[@MichaelHalbert1952]

I use a tool called a HAFF Crosshatch Machine. It is no longer being made, but they can occasionally be found used on eBay. The tool has a kinda trigger on it that you push to move the straightedge a preset distance. I just tape a french curve to the straightedge when I want a curved line.

[@Super_Naught]

very cool, i will have to keep a lookout for it! Thanks

[@NextDesignStudio]

💕

[@dymundprynsess]

I literally blew at the screen to blow the shavings away...don't mind me, I have a cold 😷