Art Project: Authentic artist: Gregoire Boonzaier

Art project

Gregoire Boonzaier

Scraperboard 

History Lesson: Gregoire Boonzaier (31 July 1909 – 22 April 2005) was a South African artist well known for his landscapes, portraits and still life paintings. He was a famous exponent of Cape Impressionism, a founder of the New Group, and a contributor, through his artworks, to the struggle against apartheid.

You will need:

• Scrapeboard
• Sharp scraping tools. You get various nibs for different lines.
• Print out of Gregoire Boonzaier’s Art A4
• White Chalk
• Pencil
• Masking Tape

Pro Tips: Plan with your white chalk on your black scraperboard. Once you start scratching you can’t go back so planning is essential. If you are struggling with ‘scratching’ you can use a slightly sharper item such as a nail file or pin.

Some people have sensory sensitivity. If you cannot handle the sound of scraperboard, use some earplugs. If it feels weird rubber gloves also helps.

Gregoire Boonzaier Process:

1. Take your reference sketch and flip the page over. Cover the back with your chalk entirely.
2. Now Stick the page with masking tape onto your scraperboard. (The Print side facing towards you)
3. Trace over the printed lines using your pencil. When you remove the page there should be faint chalk lines indicating the drawing on the scraperboard.

Well done! You have now copied your picture onto the scraperboard.

Look carefully at Gregoire’s work. Observe the line quality and mark making techniques. Copy the different lines and areas as best as you can and scarp out the white areas on the scraperboard.

Have fun! 

If you enjoyed this , check out more amazing artists and art history here.