Tips For Using Chalks In Paper Crafts

If you are like me, you may have pastel chalks in your craft space that go unnoticed or unused. We get so busy with our pens, markers and pencils, our chalks often sit idle. Why not get your chalks out and start using them more often. I have and it's do rewarding.

Chalks are excellent for adding soft color to almost any paper project. They last forever and are easy to use. They never dry and take up very little space.

Using chalks can be one of the most cost effective ways to color stamped images. But more than that they offer an artistic medium to add color to all of your paper crafts. The only tools you will actually need is a set of chalks and a non alcoholic blender pen.

Chalks and pastels are a very inexpensive way to color almost any stamped image. They come as singles or as sets. The sets come in wafer form in a layered plastic container or as a palette with two shades of the same color. They also come as sticks. When you start with chalks, buy basic colors and then add to your supplies as your budget and space allows

Depending on the technique you are planning to use, the only other tools that you may need to use are pom poms in different sizes ( they often come with the palette sets), make up sponges, a thin acrylic paint brush

Note : Regular pencil erasers are not designed for use with blending chalks. They contain harsh materials that can damage paper and can create a streaky mess of your chalked areas.e paper towels.

The first thing that you need to get started, is of course a stamped image. You will want to stamp your image with a permanent ink such as Momento ink. Let the image completely dry or heat set it with a heating tool to speed up the drying time. Look at the image and con sider the different areas of the image. You will want to think about the colors that you will like to use in each area of the image.

Use the tip of your blender pen like a paintbrush. Dip or tap the tip of your blender on the chalk color that you want to use. The tip will pick up some of the color of the chalks. The fluid in the blender pen will cause the color of the chalk to go from dark to light as the fluid flows from the pen and uses up the chalk. Always start the color at the darkest point of the area and then color towards the lighter part. When you need more color, simply dip into your color and add more color until you are satisfied with that area.

When you need to change colors, it is very simple. You just need to clear the pen. Simply scribble on a piece of scrap paper until the scribbles are clear. Then you are ready to start with your next color. It's a good practice to c heck for color by "scribbling " on a scrap piece of paper before you start on any new color, just to make sure that the pen is clear.

• Embossing Ink Technique- Stamp your image with clear embossing ink. Gently tap some chalk color on your image with an applicator. Do not rub color in. When completed, tap any excess chalk off your project
• Use Chalk Pastels -Color your stamped image with dry pastels. Take a wet brush and go over the chalks with the wet brush. They will become very vibrant. Make sure to clean the brush as you change colors. You can add more color over the colored area
• Chalk Enhancer- This is a liquid that you can use to create a watercolor technique. It comes as a kit with a cup and an applicator. You can use a small watercolor brush as well.
• Chalk Board Technique- Stamp a dark piece of cardstock using white ink and the stamp of your choice. Color in the image with the pastel chalks by dotting the color on your image. When you are happy with your coloring, wipe over the image with a tissue or a soft paper towel to create the chalkboard technique
• Try Chalking A Stencil. using stencils with chalks create a soft pastel look
• Chalk edges of torn paper to give it a finished look

• An artist's eraser will remove any little chalk mistake that you might make
• Place your chalks in the center of your work area. That way they won't fall and break or stain your carpeting
• Basic chalk application is in a circular motion. But you can get creative with your chalks. Use a "c" to create waves, lines to create highlights around the sun. Two curved strokes can make a leaf
• When layering color, always layer with the lightest color first. Shadow and highlight with the darker color on top
• Wipe off excess dust with a paper towel, but be sure not to smear the chalks. The alternative is to blow the chalk away by blowing on the piece in an outdoor area