This is not a drawing or painting but rather scratchboard. The scratchboard panel is a 1/8" thick board coated with a special white clay and a topcoat of black India ink. Using any sharp instrument, I scratch off the ink in various patterns to reveal the white clay and form an image. It is one of the most difficult art mediums because it is unforgiving if one makes a mistake. You can't erase or paint over an error. I used a few different tools to scratch this piece. My main tools were a #10 and #11 scalpel. I used the tip of a tattoo needle to create a smooth texture on her face. I added color with acrylic ink washes.
Steampunk is a fascinating style and subculture to me. I love the idea of creating a mask for a costume ball in a steampunk fashion style. This one is a cat's face adorned with the gears and mechanics of steampunk. The girl wearing it has an antiqued bronze neck piece to match the mask. Very cool piece!