postscratch

Postscratch is a term used in digital art and media production to describe the phase or methods that follow the initial scratch or rough sketch layer. In this context, scratch refers to the raw, minimal marks used to establish composition, form, and layout. The postscratch stage emphasizes refinement, texture, and detail, using additional passes, brushes, textures, and procedural tools to evolve the work toward a finished piece.

Origin and usage: The term appears in online art communities and creative workflow discussions from the late 2000s onwards, though it has no formal standard definition in widely published manuals. It is often used to distinguish the polishing pass from earlier exploratory sketching.

Applications: Postscratch techniques are common in concept art, illustration, 3D texturing, and game asset creation. They involve layering, non-destructive editing, and texture synthesis to add surface detail such as scratches, wear, micro-textures, and fine linework after the initial layout has been defined.

Techniques: Examples include refining edge silhouettes, applying procedural textures, painting over roughs with custom brushes, and using image-based textures to simulate material properties. In 3D pipelines, postscratch can correspond to second-pass texture maps, normal maps, or ambient occlusion maps added after base shading.

Limitations: As with any post-processing, excessive postscratch can lead to over-polishing or reduced originality. It is typically integrated with the overall workflow rather than used in isolation.

See also: scratch, post-production, texture painting, non-destructive workflow.