Scratchboard Workshop – Newcastle

Saturday, March 23rd, 11 am – 4:30 pm, at Ann’s Studio, Newcastle CA

Sometimes called ‘the art of taking away’, scratchboard is a medium that allows for amazing detail, but is also surprisingly forgiving and versatile. In this workshop, you’ll learn the basic techniques for working on scratchboard. Knives will be used in class, but any abrasive object can be used to remove the black ink from a board to reveal the white coating beneath. Ink can be added and re-scratched, allowing for softness and a range of values to enhance the detail. Ann uses Ampersand Scratchbord in her workshops. Advanced students may use Ampersand Claybord (white scratchboard) with prior approval.

Open to all levels; new and returning students welcome. Supplies included. You must provide your own reference photo(s). Instructions & directions will be sent after registration.

$95 per person for New Students
$85 per person for Returning Students
(scratchboard will be supplied for returning students, please bring the supplies you have from previous workshops in order to qualify for the Returning Student rate)
Must pre-pay (to Ann)
Please register/pay in advance, as class size is limited to 4 students

Pay via PayPal


Select New or Returning Student



Or mail a check for $95 (new student) or $85 (returning student) made out to Ann Ranlett, to PO Box 960, Newcastle CA 95658. Checks must be received prior to workshop. Please contact Ann in advance to let her know you’re paying by check.

If you’d prefer to pay Ann directly by credit card, please call prior to the workshop to make arrangements: 916.300.5774

Venmo payments are also an option

Refund policy:

Full refund for cancellation made no later than 10 days prior to workshop.
Cancellation within 10 days of the workshop will receive full credit for a future workshop or a 50% refund.

If you have any questions, please contact ann [at] annranlett.com or call 916.300.5774

Ann is a Master member (MSA) of the International Society of Scratchboard Artists (ISSA). Her work has been accepted into all of the annual ISSA juried exhibitions to date and she was one of the featured presenters at the 2012 – 2014 and 2018 – 2019 workshops. Ann also taught a special workshop in conjunction with the 2023 Exhibition at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.
ISSA Awards: in the Open Division: ‘Sleeping Patterns‘ received an Award of Excellence at the 2013 Exhibition, ‘Cathy’s Burrito Bouquet‘ received an Award of Excellence at the 2014 Exhibition, and ‘K9 Ronin’ received an Award of Excellence at the 2015 Exhibition. In the Master Division: ‘Safety’ received a Silver Award (2nd Place) at the 2017 Exhibition, and ‘Let’s Go!‘ received the Best in Show (Gold Award) at the 2018 Exhibition.