FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

WHAT IS SCRATCHBOARD?

Scratchboard art is a form of direct engraving. The panel starts out solid black and then the artist scratches to expose a layer of white clay under the black ink. The working surface is a three-layer medium made up of a 1/8" Masonite panel as a support (from Ampersand Scratchboard).  The support is covered with smooth white clay followed by a thin layer of black India ink, leaving a solid black panel to start with. The artist then uses various tools to scratch through the black ink to reveal the white clay below. Every line, dot and dimple is created by hand all with lines, dots, and variation in tone. The contrast is based on how many lines are scratched in a particular area or how much of the white clay is exposed. Colored inks can be added to the exposed white areas of the work if desired or the board can be left black and white. Large and complex pieces can take hundreds of hours to be completed due to the many layers of tiny scratches that cover the board.



Why have I not heard about Scratchboard Art before? 

While scratchboard has been around for many years it has never been highly popular. It is considered by many artists to be one of the most difficult of all mediums, as you cannot take an eraser and fix a mistake. It can also be a very time consuming medium, as every line is done by hand and larger works can take hundreds of hours to be completed.


What tools are used for creating scratchboard art?

Scratchboard artists use a wide variety of tools to create different textures in the artwork. The primary tool is usually a standard exacto-knife with a #11 blade a fiberglass brushes for various other effects. Most artists spend many hours on their work as all textures are created using only scratches!

How do you color scratchboard art?

Scratchboard can be left as a dramatic black and white image but it can also be colored after scratching. Because the white layer is clay based and absorbent it will accept color mediums such as colored transparent inks, fluid acrylics and watercolor. Colors can be applied so that they look anywhere from subtle to vibrant. Once a layer of color is applied the artist can go back and re-scratch those areas to build up layers, but once color is applied they can never go back to just black and white. Coloring boards typically about 1 1/2 times as long as leaving a board black and white. ¹

1.  Ref. Cathy Sheeter

DO YOU OFFER FREE SHIPPING?

I offer free shipping in the Continental United States (not including Alaska or Hawaii).  Shipping that requires additional fees such as tariffs, taxes or other duty charges, will be charged in addition to the cost of the art piece.  This cost will be calculated on a per item basis. 

If you live Outside the Continental United States, please connect with me in the CONTACT section.  My customers are responsible for shipping and all taxes, brokerage fees, or tariffs imposed by the destination country.

WHAT IS YOUR POLICY ON RETURNS/EXCHANGES/REFUNDS? 

From clear descriptions and images, to the web site Augmented Reality, preview tools and size guides, I work hard to eliminate guesswork.   I want to help you clarify your desire and vision and create the perfect piece just for you.  I know when guessing is eliminated, satisfaction is guaranteed.  

PRINTS:

All print reproductions are made to order and I want you to love your new piece of art.  I will provide a no charge replacement or refund for quality issues only.  I may request to have the presentation/order returned to me and would provide a return shipping label.  For a refund or replacement for quality issues, please contact mariettabajerart@gmail.com.   I do not provide a refund based on customer preference.

ORIGINAL ART AND LIMITED EDITIONS:

All original art and limited editions are displayed on this web site.  They are shown shown with multiple views and descriptions including the feature of Augmented Reality. These visual tools take out the guesswork whether the size, quality, design, and color works with your needs.  If you have any questions before your purchase, please contact me through the  CONTACT section of this web site. I want you to be totally satisfied with your purchase  and love your piece of art.  Once you have satisfied any questions you may have with direct communication with me and purchase the piece of original art, I do not provide a refund based on customer preference.

See below the steps you take if the artwork arrives damaged.

COMMISSIONS

Commissions are made to order and are unique one of a kind pieces of fine art. The greatest complement an artist can receive is to be retained by a client to create a fine art piece just for them.  I am truly honored. These one-of-a-kind pieces will not be available as reproductions unless permission is given from the client in writing.  An image will be shown on this web site together with the client’s testimonial with the client’s permission.  Please use the CONTACT section of this web site with questions and communication to retain me in creating the special art piece just for you!

There are two choices for clients to pay for the commissioned piece:

1.TWO PAYMENTS

The first 50% (of the total cost) payment is taken before the artist begins the process of creating the art piece.  This involves communication between the client and the artist as to the size, board orientation, choices of frames, subject matter, choice of client supplied images, and any questions arising as the process continues.  The second 50% payment is taken after the client is fully satisfied with the final art piece.

2. ONE PAYMENT IN FULL

A 10% discount is applied to the client that pays for the commission in full as a thank you for your support and trust!

The steps and process of creating a commission engages the client and myself on an interactive journey.  This involves the client’s images of the subject, discussing the ideal pose and orientation of the board, and answering any questions that may arise along the way.  By the time the art piece is completed, the client is well aware of the process and the look of the completed piece.  If for any reason, the client is not satisfied with the final artwork, 75% of the cost of the total order will be refunded.  The retained 25% pays the artist for some the time and materials expended by the artist to create the art piece.

See below the steps you take if the artwork arrives damaged.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A SHIPMENT ARRIVES DAMAGED?

If your artwork arrives and the box is damaged, please contact me immediately via the website to let me know.  Before opening the package, YOU MUST PHOTOGRAPH the damaged package.  

You may then open the package to see if the work has been damaged.  Hopefully, it is only superficial on the packaging, but if your painting or print is damaged, please photograph the damaged artwork and send a copy of the image to bajerdmd@gmail.com

NOTE:  Every original work of art is photographed before and after it is packaged and before it is sent to you, for insurance purposes.  All original artworks are insured for transportation.

WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY ORDER?

My print provider prides themselves on quality, consistency and fast delivery.  They do their best to insure your order arrives in a timely manner.  In general, most frame orders are processed, produced and shipped within 2 to 3 business days - and typically arrive in 5 to 6 business days.  Canvas orders are usually produced in 3 to 4 days, arriving in 6 to 8 business days.  Priority and Express shipping are available but these options will not affect the processing time.  

FOR ORIGINALS: 

Shipping times range from 5-10 business days. If the piece contains resin that is being cured, the piece may take 3-4 weeks to ship. Tracking information will be emailed to you as soon as available.

FOR EMBELLISHED LIMITED EDITIONS:

Shipping times range from 3-6 weeks since they are made to order. Tracking information will be sent to you once the order is shipped.

This is a hybrid between an original and a print.  A print is ordered on canvas and embedded in a custom designed frame.  The frames are constructed out of wood and composite material and cut with a CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machine. The archival print is then embedded into the frame with the highest quality UV protected epoxy resin and will not yellow over time.  The resin colorants will vary for each piece and will complement each reproduction making it one of a kind.  Each one of these embellished prints become a variation on the original and is signed and numbered by the artist.  It is a way of offering the key element of Marietta's Art original artwork at a lesser price point.

Although I strive to provide the most accurate time frames for when you can expect to receive your order, sometimes delays do occur; however, if your order's production should fall significantly behind schedule, you will receive an email update.

WHAT IF I CHANGE MY MIND?

Unless your order has already gone into production, you may cancel it.  Please contact asfprints@artstorefronts.com as soon as possible if you need to cancel your order.  Once an order has gone into production, it cannot be cancelled. 

ARE THE PRINTS OF ARCHIVAL QUALITY?

All inks used for printing images purchased from this site are archival, UV resistant pigmented ink.  Papers and substrates are acid free and of the highest archival quality.  Framing, matting and hanging hardware is museum quality. The description of each substrate can be found by hovering over the black circle/question mark  above on each envelope when checking out.

HOW DO I USE THE LIVE IMAGE PREVIEW?

The Live Preview tool (augmented reality) on this site allows you to use your phone or tablet to see how Thomas' art will look on your wall.  There is no app to install.  You will need to use a mobile devise with a current browser.  Pull up this website on your mobile devise and navigate the image you are interested in previewing.  Click on the "Live Preview" button.   The website will launch your camera from within your internet browser and superimpose the artwork onto your wall.  It is best to stand 10-15 feet away from the wall.  You can change the artwork's position by moving the phone and you can select sizes with the pull down menu at the bottom of the screen.  

The ability to launch a camera right from the browser is currently supported by the latest versions of Chrome, Mozilla, Firefox and Opera, in both PC and Android versions.  If you have an Apple devise, use Google Chrome or Apple's Safari browser, version 11 and higher.    

WHAT IS YOUR SITE'S PRIVACY POLICY? 

I understand and respect your concerns about privacy, and I am committed to providing you with a rewarding and safe experience without regard to the manner in which you conduct business with me.

CONTACT

Thank you so much for your interest in my art!  I am here to make your online art purchasing experience a total success.  Marietta's Art is here to answer any questions you have.  To get the answers that you need, please email bajerdmd@gmail.com