The Vault: Brittany Johnson - Intricately Detailed

Artist Statement:

Scratchboard is a subtractive medium where sharp tools are used to remove the dark (usually black ink) and reveal the white layer below. I am constantly told this is “backwards” drawing, but it is simply the process of drawing with the light rather than the dark. My husband always says he thinks my brain works backwards and that must be why I love the medium. I love the contrast, uniqueness, and the challenge working on scratchboard presents, but, more than anything I love the detail.
Scratchboard is tricky and unforgiving, but it allows for an incredible amount of precise line work. Every mark you see is a minuscule dot or line made with a needle or similar tool. One square inch on a scratchboard can have hundreds or even thousands of tiny scratches. To get a whiter value it is not about scratching harder but layering and gradually removing more and more of the black ink surface. I work under a magnifying lens and what appears detailed when looking close with the naked eye is even more so when magnified. Scratchboards can look as if there are soft shades of grey when standing back, however, when you look closely it is all black and white.
I have always loved plants, animals, nature and a bit of whimsy. My work throughout the years has always reflected that. I get great joy in attempting to capture the spirit of an animal, the bit that makes each of God’s creations unique. The ability to achieve such intricate detail in scratchboard is what allows me to push the boundaries into hyper realism. I want it to feel as if the water is wet or feel the softness of that fur. I want my viewers encouraged to look closely at the tiny details because that is what truly makes each work of art so special. There is such beauty to be found in the world around us and sometimes we need to remember to pause and take a closer look.

Artist Bio:

Brittany Johnson was born and raised in Virginia Beach, Virginia and still resides there today with her family. She homeschools her three children and spends her free time growing her art business. Brittany has always loved animals, nature, and anything creative or artistic. Her art journey began when she quit band class to take art foundation in 11th grade. That high school art class is where she was first introduced to scratchboard. From that moment on she immersed herself in art and experimented with every medium she could.

Brittany graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of the Arts in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in art education. After graduating, she worked full time for a contracting company while pursuing art as an acrylic painter on the side. Over the next 10 years her paintings made the shift away from abstract expressionism into landscapes, sea life, and blending realistic animals with abstract backgrounds. Her paintings were shown across Hampton Roads at outdoor art shows, gallery shows, restaurants, and businesses.

In 2013 Brittany decided to make a pet portrait as a friend’s wedding gift. This single portrait was a catalyst that led to growing scratchboard commissions and falling in love with this unique medium. In 2018 she had built up a body of work and participated in her first art show as a professional scratchboard artist. She was both shocked and delighted to win Best in Show.

Brittany is one of 70 Signature Scratchboard Artists in the world with the International Society of Scratchboard Artists. She is working on becoming a Master, a prestigious title held by only 21 others. She strives to promote this medium and is open to share her knowledge of the medium with others. Brittany’s scratchboard tutorials can be found on her Youtube channel and the Ampersand Art website. Brittany states “I am continually trying to challenge myself in my work. I love experimenting with new tools, creating more complex compositions, and rendering a variety of textures including fur, grass, plants, scales, carpet, metal, and liquid the best that I can.”

Brittany’s work focuses on animals, nature and the beauty found in this world God has made for us. Brittany’s award-winning scratchboard is beautiful from afar and is more entrancing the closer you get. Each highly detailed piece seems as if you could feel it and her art has a three-dimensional lifelike quality despite being a two dimensional medium.

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