Do you feel a pang of envy when you see a beautifully designed chalkboard outside of a store? Or perhaps you've been scrolling Pinterest and you've come across a unique piece of chalkboard decor that you can't wait to recreate? Either way, you've probably found yourself wondering how to write (or draw) on a chalkboard like a pro.
Luckily, you've come to the right place. At Loddie Doddie, we're experts on all things chalk-related. That's why we're going to share our foolproof method for creating chalkboard artwork that looks professional without having to take any art classes!
The Trick To Creating Beautiful Chalkboard Art And Lettering
Creating chalkboard art may seem daunting at first, but it's not as difficult as it seems! In fact, there's a super easy trick that will have you crafting your own gorgeous designs in no time. So, say goodbye to struggling with freehand chalkboard drawings and say hello to your new, effortless masterpieces!
The secret to chalkboard art and lettering
The easiest way to master your chalkboard art and lettering is to use carbon paper. This is often used in printmaking, but for this trick, you're going to use it to transfer your drawings onto the surface of your chalkboard.
By using this technique, you can perfect your design on paper before you transfer it onto a chalkboard. You'll have professional-looking art without any effort!
Supplies you'll need
-
A pencil
-
Regular chalk pencils
-
Carbon transfer paper
Step-by-step guide
-
Start by choosing a design or lettering. You can find plenty of inspiration for things to draw on a chalkboard online - and don't forget to check out our fall decor ideas for chalkboard art!
-
Once you have your ideas set, print out your chosen picture or quote on plain printing paper.
-
Position your transfer paper beneath your printout and, using your standard pencil, start to trace over the outlines of your design. The idea here is to line the paper up properly to ensure that all of your letters will fit onto the transfer paper.
-
Once you've outlined your design, place the transfer paper against your chalkboard. You should secure the paper to ensure it doesn't move around while you're creating your art.
-
Go over the tracing again using the same technique, being careful not to apply too much pressure to your chalkboard. Remember, if you apply too little pressure, the design may not come through onto the board, either. Take your time and experiment with different pressures to see what works for you.
-
Remove the transfer paper and, finally, go over your design with a marker to define the outlines. Don't worry if you don't know how to use chalkboard markers or if you've never used them before. They're incredibly simple to get the hang of - and make for great art supplies for kids.
-
Fill the inside of your design or letters with regular chalk to give your artwork more depth and dimension.
-
Be sure to erase any extra transfer lines using a damp cloth or your chalkboard eraser. Then stand back and admire how amazing your design turned out! How fun!
Extra Tips For Writing On A Chalkboard Like A Pro
Now that you know how to create designs and lettering, there are some extra tips and tricks you can use to give your art a little more oomph.
Choose high-quality materials
Your artwork can only be as good as the tools you use to make it. So, be sure to start by choosing the perfect chalkboard for your project. For example, if you want to create a menu or sign for a business, then the Rustic Chalkboard A-Frame Easel is a great choice.
You also need to pick out the right materials. Although you can use most forms of chalk on chalkboards, not all chalk is designed to be used on this type of surface. A good example of this is sidewalk chalk. While you can technically use it on your chalkboard, it won't have the same look or effect as standard chalk or chalk markers.
Investing in high-quality materials also means that you'll be able to reuse them time and time again! So, when you buy a set of markers and you're ready to take on your next chalkboard marker craft project, you'll be fully prepared!
Take some extra time to plan
Before you go ahead and put your design directly onto your board, take some time out to think about what you want it to look like.
Firstly: start simple. Try out a couple of designs using basic lettering and work your way up to more advanced designs and techniques. This will help build your confidence in your artwork as well!
Additionally, you're going to want to plan the layout. You can use this step to perfect the spacing and alignment of your letters, too. Remember, you want to keep your spacing consistent throughout your design. So, while this can be time-consuming, it's worth it in the end.
How to enhance your chalkboard art
Some details and additional steps aren't necessary to produce amazing art. However, as your skills improve, you can start to implement some of these tips to make sure that your chalkboard looks incredible - every single time.
-
Experiment with different chalk colors to add more contrast and vibrancy to your design.
-
Incorporate some shading and texture by mixing colors or using varying pressure.
-
Practice your letter spacing, sizing, and overall composition to get your artwork picture-perfect.
-
Add some embellishments or creative decorative elements when you're feeling brave enough!
FAQs
How do I choose the right font or style for my chalkboard lettering?
Picking the right font or style for your lettering really depends on what your artwork is going to be used for! Are you creating a sign for an event or business? Then more elegant yet striking fonts are a good choice. However, if you're creating a sign for a children's party, a bigger, more whimsical font with bold colors is much better suited.
The context in which your chalk artwork is going to be used will help you determine the right style, size, shape, and color of your lettering. But try not to overthink it, and let your creativity flow! You never know what you may come up with.
How do I choose the right chalkboard and chalk markers for my project?
Choosing the right chalkboard and markers is incredibly easy! But if you want to know more about these materials to give you some insight on what to look for, why not check out these helpful pages?
What else can you write on a chalkboard with?
Besides regular chalk and chalk markers, there are a few other things you can use when creating your art. They include:
-
Pastel chalk: Pastel chalk gives you a wider range of options when it comes to your color choices and can be a great way to add color contrast to your design.
-
Water-soluble pencils: Although they may not show as vividly as chalk, water-soluble pencils are easy to wash off and can come in handy when you're practicing your chalkboard lettering techniques.
-
Acrylic paint markers: While you can technically use acrylic paint markers on chalkboards, they can be tricky to remove. So, unless you're really committed to your design or you want it to stay on your board for a long time, you may want to choose something else.
Final Thoughts
With all of our top tips and tricks and the secret to beautiful chalkboard art, we think you're ready to get started on a project of your own. From menu boards to designing your own chalkboard calendar or home decor, there are so many things you can do once you master the technique of chalkboard lettering! So, what are you waiting for? It's time to get creative!