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By: Ikedi Ani-okoye.

Introduction to chalk

Using chalks for your cards making or scrap booking ideas is a fantastic way of adding extra color to your pages. Chalks can also be used to create shadows or to shade in the edges of torn or ripped paper.

Applying chalks to any project can be done in a variety of ways. There really is not any need to spend a large amount of money on specialized application sponges. You can simply use eye make up applicators, cotton buds, cotton wool all of which do the job just as well with a variety of looks, not to mention being a whole lot cheaper.

Using chalk for colour

Before you begin to add chalk to any card making idea you have or to a piece of paper it is advisable to have a scrap piece of paper to hand so that you can experiment and work out which colors work well together. Depending on how dramatic you want the effect to be will be determined by how vigorously you brush the chalk on.

How to stopp chalk smearing

Once you have finished applying the chalk and are happy with the overall design you will need to use a fixative to stop the chalk from smearing. As tempting as it may be never use hairspray to set the chalk, it is particularly important if you are using the chalks for scrap booking because hairspray is not photo friendly and can react badly causing your photos to deteriorate.

Chalk for children

Purchase the sidewalk chalk (chalkboard chalk works well too) and tell you child to draw away. "This wall, and only this wall, but anything you can think of." Let them practice "copy art," by taking a drawing they like and trying to recreate it much larger in chalk. Work on the piece together, or create your own drawing.

Perhaps a birthday is coming up and the whole wall can be decorated in chalk. Halloween around the corner? Pumpkins and ghosties and castles. When a "picture" has been completed (whether it takes a few minutes, or is a month long project) make sure to snap a photo. Snap that photo for your "recorded wall," and give your child a cloth. Wipe it all away and begin again.

CONCLUSION

Break free from your own childhood rules about drawing on the walls, and open you and your child up to a new-found creative expression. If you have never used chalks before it is well worth giving it a go, they are a great embellishing tool that will allow you to create works of art in seconds. They are inexpensive and a great way to create depth to any card making ideas.