The chalkboard trend (English Chalk Art or Chalk Lettering) is extremely popular today and has made a triumphant march around the world. Writing and painting on boards with chalk or chalk markers has become a real art. The effective chalk writing is also a real eye-catcher as a decoration in your own four walls. Have you ever wondered how the chalk letters look so perfect and professional? Presumably an artist drew them by hand? The good news: Even if you aren't blessed with perfect handwriting, you can write on a chalkboard and make it beautiful. Today we will show you some creative techniques on how you can create effective chalk art using simple means. From individual letters to detailed works of art - with these simple tips everything is possible!
Writing on a chalkboard: How to make beautiful hand-drawn letters?
You love the chalkboard art, but unfortunately it looksYour handwritingexactly like the first day of fifth grade? No worries! The first way to write on a chalkboard is with a stencil. This is absolutely the best way to get professional looking chalk art without requiring any creative or artistic skills.
Preparing the chalkboard
Before writing on your chalkboard, you need to prepare the surface. Simply rub the chalk all over the board and wipe it off with a dry paper towel. This is only done before the first marking and prevents a shadow from the old picture from remaining on the board later.
Design and stencil
Using your computer, design lettering, graphics, etc. in your favorite word processing program, resize, and print as usual. Alternatively, you can download a template from the Internet. If the desired motif is very large, you can glue several sheets together.
If you want to write on a chalkboard, you can use various means:
Ordinary blackboard chalk– If you do thatclassic chalkboard lookIf you like, choose conventional school chalk. It is also ideal for larger areas. Depending on how much pressure is applied to them or how you hold and turn them, beautiful effects such as shadows and contours can be created. Use a pencil sharpener to make the chalk as delicate as you like.
Chalk pens– There is now a whole variety of chalk pencils on the market. Chalk markers can be used on any non-porous surface - glass, metal, tiles, etc. These also come in different tip sizes and a huge variety of colors. Be sure to store your chalk pencils horizontally to prevent them from drying out.
A trick:Use a brush to pick up the chalk ink! With the chalk markers you have to press the tip down so that the ink comes out. This can sometimes be difficult when writing on a chalkboard because gravity is perpendicular to the movement. So squeeze the ink onto a painter's palette or piece of paper and then pick up the paint with a thin brush.
Chalk pencils– These are very suitable for sketching. For example, if you want to sketch your design really easily. The biggest disadvantage of pencils is that they are difficult to remove later - especially in places where you have pressed hard. While it is possible to remove the lines, it requires some strength to scrub!
Chalk dust– Even if you use a chalk pen or chalk pencil for lettering, you should always have some school chalk on hand to roughly sketch out your design. To give the chalk lettering an authentic chalkboard look or to lightly shade some outlines, use some chalk dust.
Other helpful tools when writing on the chalkboard
To ensure your design is straight, use a ruler to outline grids or at least create a guide line for the top and bottom of your chalkboard art. A faint line is completely sufficient.
Additionally, it's a good idea to have a few other basic tools on hand, including a pencil sharpener, cotton swabs for touch-ups, and a mop. It also helps to have a small glass of water nearby so you can dip the cotton swab or rag.
With a template – this is how it works:
1. Turn the template over and swipewith the crayonthe back. It is enough if you cover the areas that are printed on the front.
2. Then place the template on your chalkboard and secure it with some painter's tape. Use the guide lines to help you get everything straight.
3. Now trace the template with a pencil. This way, the chalk you applied to the other side of the paper will be transferred to the board in a very faint line.
4. Once you have traced your entire image, you can remove the paper. Now it's time to color. Use the chalk pen to rewrite the letters and color in the thick areas.
5. Use damp cotton swabs to remove small flaws and get a nice sharp edge.
Create your own XXL motifs on a chalkboard wall
Want to turn your chalk art into a large mural? There are different methods to transfer the desired design to the wall. XXL motifs pose a real challenge, but look extraordinary. Here you need more patience and a steady hand because it is more difficult to draw the subject on a vertical surface.
Before deciding which transmission technology to use, it helps to measure the space. You need to get a clear idea of how large your design will be and where it will be placed on the chalk wall. It helps to make small marks in the corners as well as a center line so you can orient yourself.
Technique #1: Carbon Paper (Good for Beginners)
This carbon paper method is great for beginners who want to create a large chalk mural. The so-called carbonless paper is also available in different colors. Choose a color that contrasts with the wall color.
First you need to adjust the drawing to the appropriate size. If you don't have access to a large format printer or want to save some money, you can print the image on multiple pages and glue them together on the wall like a puzzle.
Hang the stencils on the wall using tape. Lift the bottom of the sheet and place a sheet of carbon paper between the stencil and the wall, with the powdery side facing the wall. It can be a relatively small piece (no more than an arm's length).
Now trace the lines on the front of the template with a ballpoint pen. As you do this, move the carbon paper underneath to ensure the entire design is transferred to the wall.
Advantages: Very precise method, not difficult
Disadvantages: not suitable for rough surfaces
Suitable for: Transferring designs of any size without a lot of small details
Technique #2: Painting chalkboard on the wall with a projector
If you have access to a projector, this is a very quick way to get your image onto the wall. However, the method has some disadvantages and is not used that often. For example, if you work in a narrow hallway, it is almost impossible to maintain enough distance.
Open the image on the computer and project it on the wall. Position and focus the projector until the design is in the correct location. Then trace the contours with a graphite or chalk pencil. That's it!
Advantages: Minimal effort, precise.
Disadvantages: Not every projector is suitable for wall painting. It has to be a high intensity light, otherwise you can't see anything. The projector must have enough clearance to be far enough away from the wall. Not suitable for outdoor murals or anywhere where there is no power outlet available.
Good for:Smaller wall areas, smooth or uneven surfaces.
Now you know how to make great drawings on chalkboards! Browse through our picture gallery and get inspired!
