Content Page No. Content 1 1 - 11: Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Graphic Design and Multimedia

Faculty of Creative Industries
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Graphic Design and Multimedia UJMD2133: HISTORY OF ART AND DESIGN II
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No. Content Page
1 Part 1: Technique – Secondary Research 1 - 11
a) Definition of the technique
b) Step-by-step process
c) Art Movement (Associated Artist)
2 Part 2: Exploration & Application of the Technique – Primary Research 12 - 29
3 Part3: Artist Statement Guidelines 30 - 32
4 References 33 - 35
UJMD2133 HOA II | Research Paper I 1

Part 1: Technique – Secondary Research
a) DEFINITION of the Technique
Grattage is a method of painting that forming result in an uneven surface by scraping shapes or textures
into the wet paint to create unique, interesting, unexpected, image, patterns, and innovative texture
(Patricksullivancsad, 2018, para 2). This painting technique named derives from the French word “grattage,”
which means to scrape or scratch. (National Galleries of Scotland, n.d., para 1) It is comparable to another
technique “frottage” which invented by the same surrealist Max Ernst. He was been influenced by surrealism
and Sigmund Freud’s writing. Following his earlier experiments with frottage, he developed grattage in 1926
by firstly adding richly textured object surface liked wood shattered glass or wire mesh beneath his canvases.
Secondly, he covered the canvas with oil paint and scraped across the surface with palette or spatula to produce
unexpected outcomes by picking up the grain object pattern beneath. (National Galleries of Scotland, n.d.,
para 3). The characteristic of grattage produced strange, random lines and shapes sparked Ernst’s imagination
and allowed him to create fanciful artworks. For example, the artwork “Forest and Dove ” was created by him
through scraping over a fish’s backbone (Tate, n.d., para 2). He then recreated the patterns that were now
apparent, giving them new identities as cities, birds, and forests (Xamou, n.d., para2). The purpose of
discovering drawing technique included stimulate mind and liberate concept. For example, the modern
painter Mat Way revives the technique of the grattage to help him discovering his own existence and self-
understanding (Contemporary art by MatWay, n.d., para 8). It helps him explore products or event and reflect
his dream art world.

b) STEP-BY-STEP process.
The first method. - (WheatonArt, Grattage, 2022)
Materials: canvas paper, acrylic paint, brush, textures surface liked barbed wire or wooden board, scraping tool
Step1: Select a range of textured, flat objects or surface.
Step2: Cover the textured surface with a canvas or sheet of paper.
Step3: Paint the paper or canvas.
Step4: Over the rough surface, scrape away the paint with a scraping instrument
while it still wet.
Step5: Wait for this layer to dry.

Step6: Return the process by using the different or same texture surface
The second method. – (WheatonArt, Grattage, 2022)
Materials: scratching tool liked pointed wooden skewer, brush, paint, canvas or paper or cardboard
Step1: Paint the paper or canvas with one or more colours and wait it dry.
Step2: Paint over the dried layer with fresh coat of paint in a different colour.
Step3: Before the second coat layer paint dry, scratch over the surface to
remove the paint and reveal the underneath colour

The third method. - (Julia Art Studio, Scratch off or “Grattage” drawing, 2020)
Materials: paper or cardboard, wax crayons, water colour paints, Black ink or paint, Liquid detergent liked
shampoo, scratching tools like toothpick or knitting needle
Step1: Cover the paper with wax crayons in various colours.
Step2: Adding shampoo in to the black paint colour and mix it well, then
cover the paper with it.
Step3: Let the paint completely dry.
Step4: Scratch out the black paint with any sharp object like toothpick or
knitting needle.
Step5: Adding more detail for the artwork.

c) Art Movement (Associated Artist)
The art movement of Surrealism is a literature, visual art movement. Between World Wars I and II, a
flourishing surrealist was experience by Europe. It is developed from Dada movement but placed more
emphasis on positive more than negative thinking. It the area of philosophy, surrealism was also developed
from Sigmund Freud’s theories which believed that the unconscious was the source of creativity. (The Editors,
1998, para1). Besides, surrealism was also explored by Andre Breton when practicing automatic drawing and
writing (Surrealism in 5 Minutes, n.d., para2). The surrealism artworks included two kinds of the extreme, one
is the content described in suggestive but ambiguous, another one is completely defined but in no rational
sense. Through the surrealism concept of strongly focusing on the content or form in contrast, each artist
looked for his or her unique ways to explore who they were, liked Joan Miro used it as a liberating starting
point for an exploration of personal fantasies, conscious or unconscious to create great beauty, dreamy artwork
(The Editors, 1998, para4).
“Forest and Dove” 1927, Max Ernst

The associated artist from the technique grattage is Max Ernst (2 April 1891 – 1 April 1967). Max
Ernst is the inventor of “Grattage” technique which developed from “frottage.” In his art work “Forest and
Dove” (1927). He started by painting a canvas with multiple layers of paint that were layered. He positions
item wooden boards, metal grids, string underneath the canvas. The canvas might then be used to see the relief
of those items. He scraped the top layers of paint off to transfer their structures to the image. He then recreated
the patterns that were apparent, giving them new identities as cities, forest, and birds (Xamou, n.d., para2).
The reasons of Max Ernst used the technique “Grattage” creating this artwork is a metaphor for
creativity by presenting a night view in a forest full with strange, abstract tress. Meanwhile, German culture
holds in high regard, and the Surrealist movement also used them as imagination under the metaphor. A tiny
dove, which Mac Ernst frequently used as a symbol for himself, is entrapped among foreboding woods in this
piece (Tate, n.d., para1). By using Surrealism and Grattage technique helps the artists for bringing both the
unconscious and conscious worlds of experience together in such a way that world of dreams and fantasies
would be united to the rational, normal world in an absolute reality. Besides, it was also in purpose of
discovering the unconscious and the hidden part of mind (Surrealism in 5 Minutes, n.d., para2).
Moreover, many of Max Ernst’s painting feature forest, which remind him of the “terror and
enchantment” of the woodlands near his childhood home. He produced a lot of paintings which he investigated
this delusion. These painting appear to be three-dimensional and extremely textured (By Max Ernst. (n.d.),
para4). Ernst’s creativity was stimulated by the way “Grattage” produced unusual haphazard lines or shapes,
which allowed him to produce fantastical artworks based on his dream worlds or unconscious minds.

Part 2: Exploration & Application of the Technique – Primary Research
Concept exploration:
Full size (Camping):

Environment (Camping):

Gadgets (Camping):
Bonding (Camping):

Colour Theory:

Experiment 01:

Step 1:
Prepare material liked Reeves brand black acrylic
paint, Buncho brand wax crayons, Liquid
detergent liked brand Licin-licin shampoo,
scratching tools like ruler, 190 gsm water colour
paper, knife, and brush.
Step 2:
Cut the 190gsm water colour paper into 12cm x
12cm square size. By forming square size of the
drawing can easily create a balance, equality
effect. Besides, 12cm x 12cm paint is small size
but still a great for view details in the art work.
Step 3:
Colour the paper with orange and blue wax
crayon in chessboard pattern. The combination of
orange and blue is the contrast colour scheme
which can create a different brightness effect. It
will help the artwork scratch line stand out from
the black layer surface.

Step 4:
Mix the 70% black acrylic colour with 30%
shampoo with brush to create a mixture pigment.
By adding shampoo into the acrylic can make
sure the pigment’s texture become smoother to be
painted.
Step 5:
Cover the paper with the prepared black pigment
and brush. By using a flat head brush, the process
will be faster and easier. Besides, it also
decreases the ugly brush stroke and the different
of shades.
Step 6:
After the paint layer dry, scratch the paint
carefully with ruler. Meanwhile, create
unexpected scratching with the flat side of ruler
to form the cloud on sky.

The camping tent we stay during the trip.
Experiment 02:
Step 1:
Prepare material liked Reeves brand and brown
black acrylic paint, Buncho brand wax crayons,
scratching tools like knife, 190 gsm water colour
paper, and brush.
Step 2:
drawing can easily create a balance, equality effect.
Besides, 12cm x 12cm paint is small size but still a
great for view details in the art work.

Step 3:
Colour the paper with red, orange, and yellow wax
crayon in gradient pattern. The combination of
warm can create energy and passion feeling to
audience. Beside by painting analogous colour can
design a soothing and appealing display.
Step 4:
Mix the 50% black acrylic colour with 50% brown
acrylic colour with brush to create a different dark
tone mixture pigment. By practicing different
colour as the cover layer can create different feeling
to the audience as well.
Step 5:
Cover the paper with the prepared dark brown
pigment and brush. By using a flat head brush, the
process will be faster and easier. Besides, it also
decreases the ugly brush stroke and the different of
shades.

Step 6:
After it dry, scratch the paint with knife carefully to
prevent the sharp damage the paper surface.
The sunrise that I viewed during the camping trip.
Experiment 03:
Step 1:
paint, Buncho brand wax crayons, scratching tools
like toothpick, 190 gsm water colour paper, brush,
and knife

Step 2:
Step 3:
Colour the paper with green and blue wax crayon in
gradient pattern. The combination of cold can make
the space feeling more open and spacious to
audience. Besides, painting analogous colour can
provide an attractive appearance and are relaxing.
Step 4:
Cover the crayon layer with pure black acrylic paint
with brush. Without adding any liquid detergent, the
acrylics paint layer become more thicker and
rougher.

Step 5:
After it dry, scratch the paint with two side of the
toothpick which is sharp side and another is flat
side. Thus, two different thickness of the scratch
line can be created.
The stary night and the forest that camped before.
Experiment 04:
Step 1:
paint, Buncho brand wax crayons, Liquid detergent
liked brand Licin-licin shampoo, scratching tools
like different wooden handle brush (back head),
190 gsm water colour paper, and knife.

Step 2:
Step 3:
Colour the paper with red, yellow, and blue wax
crayon in spotted pattern. The combination of
primary colour can only add visual brightness but
also provide a feel-good quality that can encourage
audience’s creative think or imagination to my
artwork.
Step 4:
By adding shampoo into the acrylic can make sure
the pigment’s texture become smoother to be
painted.

Step 5:
will be faster and easier. Besides, it also decreases
the ugly brush stroke and the different of shades.
Step 6:
After the first colour layer dry, paint a second layer
of the prepared pigment mixture by brush to create
a thicker black paint layer.
Step 7:
After it dry, scratch the paint with the different
brush back side which some of them are round,
other are sharp or flat.

Scene of my family member spending time together
to camp next to the river.
Final Artwork:
Step 1:
paint, Buncho brand wax crayons, Liquid
detergent liked brand Licin-licin shampoo,
scratching tools, knife, ruler, different type of
brush, and 190 gsm water colour paper
Step 2:
Measure the 190gsm water colour paper size in
12cm x 12cm square size by ruler and pencil then
cut it with knife. By forming square size of the
drawing can easily create a balance, equality
effect. Besides, 12cm x 12cm paint is small size
but still a great for view details in the art work.

Step 3:
Colour the paper with red, orange, yellow, blue
wax crayon in centre and using blue and green
colour to describe outer boarder. The combination
of warm in the centre and cold colour outer can
make the audience focus at the middle centre
which is the place of subject that I placed for.
Moreover, a good visual brightness but also
provide a feel-good quality to audience.
Step 4:
By adding shampoo into the acrylic can make sure
the pigment’s texture become smoother to be
painted.
Step 5:
will be faster and easier. Besides, it also decreases
the ugly brush stroke and the different of shades.

Step 6:
After the first colour layer dry, paint a second
layer of the pure black acrylic paint by brush to
create a thicker black paint layer.
Step 7:
After it dry, scratch the paint with different tools
like knife and toothpick. Thus, different thickness
and effect of the scratch line can be created.
Step 8:
Adding black line details again with the pigment
and brush and wait it to dry.

watching sunrise during the camping trip with my
parents

Part 3: Artwork and Artist Statement
ARTIST STATEMENT GUIDELINES
a) DESCRIBE your artwork. (Write a description of the artwork. Be as detailed as possible. Use the
appropriate vocabulary, term of phrase to describe the people, animal, object etc.)
The artwork descripts the experience of watching sunrise during the camping trip with my parents. In
the middle, I have drawn down the back view of my parents which from my first personal view. Meanwhile, a
huge rage of the picture was drawn a sunrise which is one of my main themes as well. I choose the sunrise
scene as the topic because it is not just a memorable experience for me staying with my family member but also
represent a new starter of a day. Hence both the sunrise and parents back view create a lovely, positive joyful
visual effect. On the top, a stary night was drawn to represent the night just past over. Besides, I have drawn
mountain, plant, flower to show the wide camp site environment which is close to natural as well.
For the back layer colour scheme, I paint the centre with warm colour like yellow orange and yellow
which symbolise sunshine and warm hearted as well. At the same time, the positive colour also makes the
audience feel the joy and cheerful when staying with family member that I wanted to present. The outer colour
scheme was separate in to three area which is upper, middle, and bottom. The upper part was painted by light

blue which can show the stary night when you scratch off the black paint layer. The middle part is dark blue
colour which is use to descript the mountain if you watch it from far. The bottom is green colour which used to
describe the wild environment of camping site. The green colour also showed the natural that we came attach
during the camping.
b) Consider the aspects listed below when you are explaining the message you are trying to convey in
your work. It is NOT mandatory that you address all aspects listed below. You can choose the
combinations of - (i) & (ii) or (i) & (iii).
i. Which ONE of the following aspects were you trying to convey? (Just choose one from the list below).
 About your personal life
The message that I trying to convey in my artwork is about my personal life which specific talked
about the experience of camping with family. During the camping we will having a lot of activities together
liked cooking, hiking, or playing music or card game together. The most activity that I liked is watch the
sunrise or sunset with my parents together. It is a memorable moment that we spent time together due to their
busy working and my compact study life. By watching sunrise start from waiting in the long dark, the crackers
of the dawn gave me a feeling of awe and a big picture mentality. Meanwhile, watching sunrise also enhance
long-lasting satisfaction of in life and relief stress. By having a better mood or positive thinking, it will help us
stronger immune system. By experience a great feeling together with family members will help us bonding the
relationship together. It is important that bonding with family to strengthens love and fosters a sense of
community. It will also help to improved commination and understanding each other.
ii. What is the significance, representations or symbolisms that can be found in your work?
The first symbolism that shown in my artwork is the important of accompany family. It shows by
drawing parents’ back view in first personal view, which is a good direction to have a looked to the changing of
parent after the days past. By accompany family and watching their changing will help us feel a giant of sense

of community and life satisfaction by understanding each other (Deborah, 2021, para4). Secondly is the
grandeur of natural, it shows the human insignificance when you directly facing to the changing of the natural.
It symbolised by the sunrise drawing in the centre of my artwork which occupy a largest number of the painting
area while the human drawing is smaller than it and facing directly to sun. The sun represented growth, birth,
resurrection, and new beginnings (Sunsets, 2022, para4). When watching the dark stary night sky replace by
the dawn, it also symbolizes that my daily life worries and pressure which represent the dark side of my life
fade away. It is because the dark night can be symbolism a time in the life that was incredibly changing and
unpleasant (Joshua Press, 2022, para7), and by drawing the night replaced by sunrise which have a positive
meaning cause the result of relief from tension. Besides, the people in my artwork are surrounded by natural
environment symptoms liked leaves, flower, mountain and the stary sky. It symbolized calmness and peace
(Nature Symbolism, 2022, para1). It shows that the people can be calming down and relaxing under the natural
circumstances. It gave the audience have an immersive of exploring the inner-self as well as the people in the
drawing. By self-discovering, you will realise human inner was build by love, hence it is the reasons that I draw
the love shape in between the people as it represents the strength of human (VIA Institute, n.d., para1).

References
Grattage. (n.d.). National Galleries of Scotland. https://www.nationalgalleries.org/art-and artists/glossary-
terms/grattage
Tate. (n.d.). Grattage | Tate. https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/g/grattage
Grattage: a definition of an art term. (n.d.). Xamou Art. https://www.xamou-art.com/word/grattage/
Patricksullivancsad, V. a. P. B. (2018, April 5). Max Ernest : frottage ,Grattage & Decalcomania. Patrick
Sullivan. https://patricksullivancsad.wordpress.com/2017/12/09/max-ernest-frottage-grattage/
Contemporary art by MatWay. (n.d.). Contemporary Art by MatWay - Based in Denmark. https://matway.dk/
WheatonArts » Explore, Experience, Create. (n.d.). https://www.wheatonarts.org/grattage/
Wachanga. (2017). Draw a picture in “grattage” technique! activity on Wachanga. Wachanga.
https://wachanga.com/en/creativity/draw-a-picture-in-grattage-technique
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (1998, July 20). Surrealism | Definition, Painting, Artists, Artworks,
& Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/art/Surrealism
Surrealism in 5 Minutes: Idea behind the art movement. (n.d.). https://curiousmuse.org/tpost/e8zikhczy1-
surrealism-in-5-minutes-idea-behind-the
How to use color to evoke powerful emotions in your design. (2020b, July 14). Dribbble.
https://dribbble.com/stories/2020/07/14/color-and-emotions#:~:text=Just%20make%20sure%20that
%20your,overall%20design%20through%20conflicted%20meanings.

Campr. (2018b, May 14). 5 Reasons Why Camping Is Good For You - Hostfully. Medium.
https://travel.hostfully.com/5-reasons-why-camping-is-good-for-you-1bfd002a1fab
Reporter, G. S. (2022b, December 16). Malaysia landslide: at least 12 killed and 22 missing at campsite near
Kuala Lumpur. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/16/malaysia-landslide-
trapped-campsite-near-kuala-lumpur
Sunsets, sunrises, and our loved ones. (2022, February 21). https://magazine.nm.org/2022/02/21/sunsets-
sunrises-and-our-loved-ones/#:~:text=Sunrises%20are%20defined%20as%20time,new%20beginning
%20and%20new%20ending.
Deborah. (2021, September 20). The Importance of Family Bonding | AdventureBook.com. Adventures From
Scratch Connect. https://www.adventurebook.com/connect/family-bonding/#:~:text=Improved
%20communication%3A%20When%20you%20actively,viewpoints%20other%20than%20their
%20own.
Tate. (n.d.-a). ‘Forest and Dove‘, Max Ernst, 1927 | Tate. https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/ernst-forest-
and-dove-t00548#:~:text=Forests%20are%20a%20potent%20symbol,is%20trapped%20among
%20menacing%20trees.
Joshua Press. (2022, February 26). The Dark Night of the Soul: Understanding amidst the absence of meaning.
Medium. https://theapeiron.co.uk/the-dark-night-of-the-soul-understanding-amidst-the-absence-of-
meaning-3494cb193bc2
Nature Symbolism in Literature: Overview & Examples of Nature Symbols. (2022, July 10). Knowledge Base.
https://custom-writing.org/blog/nature-symbolism-in-literature

Love | Character Strength | VIA Institute. (n.d.).
https://www.viacharacter.org/character-strengths/love#:~:text=Love%20as%20a%20character
%20strength,a%20warm%20and%20genuine%20way.
WheatonArts » Explore, experience, create. (n.d.). https://www.wheatonarts.org/grattage/
Forest and Dove, 1927 - by Max Ernst. (n.d.). https://www.max-ernst.com/forest-and-dove.jsp

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No. Content Page

1 Part 1: Technique – Secondary Research 1 - 11

a) Definition of the technique

c) Art Movement (Associated Artist)

2 Part 2: Exploration & Application of the Technique – Primary Research 12 - 29

3 Part3: Artist Statement Guidelines 30 - 32

UJMD2133 HOA II | Research Paper I 1

Part 1: Technique – Secondary Research

a) DEFINITION of the Technique

his dream art world.

UJMD2133 HOA II | Research Paper I 2

The first method. - (WheatonArt, Grattage, 2022)

Step1: Select a range of textured, flat objects or surface.

Step2: Cover the textured surface with a canvas or sheet of paper.

Step3: Paint the paper or canvas.

while it still wet.

Step5: Wait for this layer to dry.

UJMD2133 HOA II | Research Paper I 3

The second method. – (WheatonArt, Grattage, 2022)

remove the paint and reveal the underneath colour

UJMD2133 HOA II | Research Paper I 4

shampoo, scratching tools like toothpick or knitting needle

Step1: Cover the paper with wax crayons in various colours.

cover the paper with it.

Step3: Let the paint completely dry.

Step5: Adding more detail for the artwork.

UJMD2133 HOA II | Research Paper I 5

c) Art Movement (Associated Artist)

(The Editors, 1998, para4).

“Forest and Dove” 1927, Max Ernst

UJMD2133 HOA II | Research Paper I 6

UJMD2133 HOA II | Research Paper I 7

Part 2: Exploration & Application of the Technique – Primary Research

Full size (Camping):

UJMD2133 HOA II | Research Paper I 8

UJMD2133 HOA II | Research Paper I 9

UJMD2133 HOA II | Research Paper I 10

UJMD2133 HOA II | Research Paper I 11

UJMD2133 HOA II | Research Paper I 12

Prepare material liked Reeves brand black acrylic

paint, Buncho brand wax crayons, Liquid

detergent liked brand Licin-licin shampoo,

scratching tools like ruler, 190 gsm water colour

paper, knife, and brush.

Cut the 190gsm water colour paper into 12cm x

12cm square size. By forming square size of the

drawing can easily create a balance, equality

effect. Besides, 12cm x 12cm paint is small size

but still a great for view details in the art work.

Colour the paper with orange and blue wax

crayon in chessboard pattern. The combination of

orange and blue is the contrast colour scheme

which can create a different brightness effect. It

will help the artwork scratch line stand out from

the black layer surface.

UJMD2133 HOA II | Research Paper I 13

Mix the 70% black acrylic colour with 30%

shampoo with brush to create a mixture pigment.

By adding shampoo into the acrylic can make

sure the pigment’s texture become smoother to be

Cover the paper with the prepared black pigment

and brush. By using a flat head brush, the process