U Create

It's a good day to create!

  • pinterest
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • twitter
  • rss
  • crafts
    • crochet/knit
    • jewelry
    • kids crafts
    • paper crafts
    • sewing
      • bags
      • boys-clothing
      • girls-clothing
      • women-clothing
      • pillows
      • quilts
  • home decor
    • bathroom
    • build it
    • frames
    • kids
    • kitchen
    • office
  • recipes
    • desserts
    • dinner
    • snacks
    • soups
  • parties
    • baby shower
    • birthday
    • games
    • gift wrapping
    • party decor
    • party favors
  • printables
  • holidays
    • Christmas
    • Easter
    • Father’s Day
    • Halloween
    • July 4th
    • Mother’s Day
    • New Years
    • St. Patrick’s Day
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • gifts
    • baby
    • electronics
    • graduation
    • teacher gifts
  • About
  • Be My Guest
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • pinterest
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • twitter
  • rss

3 Aug

How to Make Chalk Art from a Printable

DIY Chalk art U-createcrafts.comLast month I was asked if I could help make some really cool chalkboard art for my cousin’s wedding.  I had never done anything like that before, but figured it couldn’t be too hard to draw art on chalkboard…I mean, I do it on paper all the time.  WRONG!  It was tougher than I thought to just sit down and free-hand some cutesy wedding saying.  So I took to my computer and created a graphic that I could somehow copy on the chalkboard.  It totally worked. Here’s the tutorial to DIY Chalk Art!
1 How to make chalk artSupplies Needed:

  • Chalkboard (these easel ones are at Hobby Lobby)
  • Designed Printable —>Love Anchors the Soul
  • Charcoal/Granite Pencil
  • Sharp Pencil
  • Chalk
  • Pencil Sharpener
  • Q-tips to fix tiny mistakes

2 make a wedding centerpieceStep #1:  “Season” the chalkboard.

First you have to season the chalkboard (if you’d like to use it again).  If you don’t season it, then the first thing you write upon it will be there forever in the background.   To season the board, lay a piece of chalk sideways and rub it all over the board.  Then take a paper towel and wipe it off really good.

3 transfer image to chalkboardStep #2:  Scribble on the back of the printable.

Using the charcoal stick or just a granite pencil, scribble all over the words showing through the back of the printable…the darker the better.

4 charcol stick and chalk artStep #3: Transfer the printable image to the chalkboard.

Carefully lay the printable charcoal side down.  Once you have it where you want it, use the sharp pencil and trace around the words.  You can make the image transfer as detailed or plain as you want.
5 chalk art tutorialLift the paper off the chalkboard and using the Q-tip and water fix any mistakes.
6 sharpen chalk with pencil sharpenerStep #4: Sharpen the chalk.

The sharper the chalk the more clear your lines will be.  I had to sharpen my chalk about 4 times during the entire tracing process.

7 trace over the pencil imageStep #5: Trace on top of the transferred image/words.

With your sharp chalk and starting at the top, trace on top of the charcoal letters.  At first I thought this would make the chalk look gray, but it didn’t really change much.  
DIY Chalkart at U-createcraftsStep #6:  Clean up chalky mistakes with Q-tip & water.

Here are some tips and tricks I learned from making 4 of these pretty chalkboard centerpieces:

  • The chalk will come off with the slightest touch. If you want the chalk to stay on better, use the American Crafts Permanent Chalk Marker.  Seriously, it’s the only chalk marker that actually stays white…some of the other brands I used turned yellow.
  • If you don’t want the chalk permanent, I suggest dipping the tip of the chalk in a little water.  This makes the chalk look darker and last longer.  It won’t come off as easily.
  • DO NOT use hairspray as a finishing spray to secure the chalk.  You’ll notice the picture below looks a bit different from the finished picture above…that’s because I tried the hairspray technique and the entire chalkboard was dripping wet and the art was gone.  Super sad face, right?  At that point the only thing you can do is snap a picture and send it to your sister with #craftfail.

Wedding ChalkArt TutorialDespite the craft fails (and there were many), I finally figured out the best way to make chalkboard art!  I made 4 more chalkboard easels and some tiny little chalkboard food labels.
Love is in the airIf you make some fun chalkboard art using this tutorial, we would love to see it.  Post a picture on our Facebook page or tag us on instagram (@ucreateblog)…we love to see what you create!

Post by Becky

Bio Pic

 

You may also like these

Personalized Periodic Elements Pallet ProjectDecoArt Ink Effects {tshirt tutorial}DIY Simple Doll Dress from Woman’s SkirtValentine Printable for Perler BeadsPrintable Birthday Calendar
Previous Post: Free Craft Classes from Michaels Makers Summit
Next Post: 2-Minute Crafts: Vase Makeover Video Tutorial

Comments

  1. Hannah says

    August 4, 2015 at 1:41 AM

    I’ve never tried sharpening chalk! I made a batch of chalkboard fridge magnets and it took so many craft fails until I was happy with them! I love the lettering x

    reply to this comment >
    • Becky Vandenberg says

      August 4, 2015 at 9:27 PM

      Thanks for commenting. I only recently learned that I could sharpen chalk with a pencil sharpener…it has made chalk art super easy!

      reply to this comment >

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Popular Posts

New Year's Eve Minute to Win It games by U Create

New Year’s Eve Minute To Win It Games

Free Printable "Color Your Own" Christmas Banner

Merry Christmas Coloring Banner

Free Pattern: Fall Turkey by U Create

Fall Turkey Printable

Free Printable Pumpkin Games

Halloween Printable: Bugs and Kisses

Halloween Minute To Win It Games

  • pinterest
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • twitter
  • rss
 
Privacy Policy
Back to Top

Copyright © 2023 U-Create • All Rights Reserved • Site Design by Emily White Designs