ARTIST TIPS

The following tips are suggestions to help you:

• If reproducing an image originally created by another artist (living or deceased), it is important to credit the original artist and the title at the base of your drawing.
• Make a preliminary drawing to guide your artwork or print a color photocopy of an image to be copied. Make several copies if more than one artist will be working on the piece.
• If you want your proportions to be correct, you might consider drawing a grid over the drawing/photocopies using a ruler and thin marker. You can layout a corresponding grid on the asphalt. An example is half-inch squares on the picture to 6-inch squares on the asphalt. Mount photocopies on cardboard to make them easier to work with. A carpenter’s chalk line is ideal for this.
• Use chalk sparingly. Build up your layers, starting with a very light layer on the bottom. Some artists prefer to lay all of their base layers first. Some prefer to work top to bottom. We recommend outlining all of your major elements first.
• Fill in the details of the image using various shades of colored chalk. Continue to blend colors to gain the right effect. Leave some chalk color unblended on the surface of the concrete to bring out colors, highlights, and details.
• A big chalkboard eraser works great for laying down large areas of color. Moving the eraser in a circular motion works best.
• Do not blow or fan excess chalk into the air. It will dull your colors, and chalk dust is not good to breathe.
• To get intense color, apply the chalk more than once (the first time fills in cracks and crevices) and bear down hard. The second time is to let the chalk powder rest on the top of the bumps. Then donʼt touch it anymore!
• First-timers should consider using one object as the focal point of your artwork – a face, a frog, etc. Small details are difficult to manage on a rough surface — so think BIG & DRAMATIC.
• The more you work with chalk on concrete, the more comfortable you will become.
• If you are reproducing an image originally created by another artist (living or deceased), it is important to credit the original artist and the title of the work.
• Be sure to protect your artwork if you are not finished and in case of rain.
• Tips to clean sidewalk chalk from concrete: https://www.hunker.com/13422974/how-to-clean-sidewalk-chalk-from-concrete
  • Spray down the chalk artwork with water from a garden hose. If no hose is accessible, douse the area with a bucket of water.
  • Brush the chalk areas vigorously with the stiff bristle brush. Rinse the area with a hose or bucket of water.
  • Rub any remaining chalk with a sponge and a mildly abrasive liquid detergent. Switch to the scrub brush if the chalk still seems hard to remove.
  • Rinse away all of the suds and chalky water with a hose or bucket. Allow the concrete to air-dry.