Melissa Helene - Off the Board
International Artist|Wild at heart
Animals come to life in intricate detail through the boldness and versatility of Melissa Helene's scratchboard art
Melissa Helene - Off the Board

Inspired by endangered species, wild places, fur, feathers and scales, my work celebrates the personalities and unique details of wild animals. Each piece features layers of detail that bring the animal o the board and create life in the static representation. These details accentuate individual characteristics of the species highlighted in my work by making them clear and distinct. My hope and goal for each of my wildlife portraits is to give them a soul that begs the viewers to see them a little deeper.

My choice to explore a world of vibrant color strictly in black and white allows me to emphasize textures, patterns and details in an intimate and unique way. Each hair is scratched in individually, every highlight in the eyes is placed with exacting precision, and whiskers are placed with intention. Imperfections in the animal are celebrated and emphasized because they make that individual special. My work is here to honor the perfect imperfections of the natural world.

The contrast of black and white and the grayscale I am able to produce makes light the most important aspect of each piece. My scratchboard work relies on light, depth and the details to create two-dimensional wildlife artwork with a three-dimensional feel. I use light for dramatic effect with deep shadows, brilliant highlights and high contrast. Light also plays an integral part in achieving photorealistic form and mass. Emphasizing light and shadow creates a depth to each piece that helps make the work pop off the board.

The hummingbird piece is a great example of how the lack of detail and shadows illustrates distance and by slowly adding detail and light back into each layer, they come forward.

Comparing the background layer to the foreground layer demonstrates the full capacity and versatility of scratchboard as a medium.

My Art in the Making A Charm of Hummingbirds

Bu hikaye International Artist dergisinin Wild at heart sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye International Artist dergisinin Wild at heart sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

INTERNATIONAL ARTIST DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
Fresh Eyes
International Artist

Fresh Eyes

Anna Rose Bain discusses the passions of being an artist and helping students transform their own work

time-read
3 dak  |
October/November 2024
The Next Level
International Artist

The Next Level

Jacob Dhein uses a wet-into-wet technique to create painterly depictions of a variety of subjects

time-read
2 dak  |
October/November 2024
Wild Spirit
International Artist

Wild Spirit

Alternating between broad glazes and fine details, Claire Milligan captures the intricacies of the animal kingdom

time-read
2 dak  |
October/November 2024
The Bridge Between
International Artist

The Bridge Between

Watercolorist Thomas Wells Schaller delves into the nuances of observation and imagination

time-read
2 dak  |
October/November 2024
The Color Continuum
International Artist

The Color Continuum

Catherine Hearding demonstrates how she utilizes color to enhance the mood of her landscapes

time-read
3 dak  |
October/November 2024
Points of Precision
International Artist

Points of Precision

A strong focal point and attention to detail make Nicola Jane's artwork jump off the page

time-read
3 dak  |
October/November 2024
BE YOURSELF
International Artist

BE YOURSELF

Harley Brown's fascinating things no one else will tell you

time-read
4 dak  |
October/November 2024
JEFFREY T. LARSON
International Artist

JEFFREY T. LARSON

Expertly Putting the Pieces Together

time-read
4 dak  |
October/November 2024
Hot-Blooded
International Artist

Hot-Blooded

Blending elements of realism and surrealism, figurative artist Anna Wypych’'s paintings are dominated by vivid reds

time-read
2 dak  |
October/November 2024
Adam Clague Incandescence
International Artist

Adam Clague Incandescence

Adam Clague’s masterful understanding of contrast allows him to paint subjects that seem to glow from within

time-read
2 dak  |
October/November 2024