Chalks

Decorative Chalks are a simple but effective way of colouring / shading your papercrafting projects. If you struggle with colouring and blending, you may find your problems solved with the use of chalks. Not only does it give you a professional look, but any mistakes can easily be taken away with the chalk eraser. The eraser may also be used to lighten chalked areas or add highlights to your work.

There are a number of techniques that I like to use chalks for which can enhance any of your papercrafting projects. Also being acid free they are ideal for scrapbooking.

Using the Versamark Inkpad

Ink up your chosen rubber stamp and stamp the impression on to card stock, then using cotton wool balls twist them into your selected chalk colour. Now dab in a direct motion on to the stamped image - be careful not to twist or drag the cotton wool over the image otherwise you will smudge the ink and blur the image. Always start with the palest colour first and progress to darker colours, use a clean cotton wool ball for each colour. The more you dab the image the darker the colour intensity will become. You may create blending of colours simply by overlapping them this will easily create beautiful shades, i.e. use yellow first then use red and blend over will create orange shading.
The chalk applicators may also be used on Versamarked images to create more defined shading and of course more precise colouring. These generally come in two sizes use the larger ones to apply colour and shading and the smaller for more detailed work.

Use the applicators to add colour to any stamped image; that may have been stamped with a dye based inkpad or that has been embossed, again blending the colours to create fantastic shaded effects.

Tint or colour cardstock by simply rubbing a cotton wall ball with colours on what type of cardstock you use will determine the depth of colour. Experiment with vellums, matt, satin finish and glossy card stock. You may want to use paler colours for plain, matt and textured card stock and denser colours for coated card stock. Also try tinting photo's - for best effect use photocopies.

Apply chalk to die cut shapes. Rub chalk around the edges to give more of a shaded/dimensional look, choose a colour a shade darker than the actual die cut for a natural look. You could also use white chalk to highlight areas.

Shading the edges of torn paper. When you rip a piece of card stock or paper this exposes the actual fibres from the original pulp. This is a rougher finish and holds the chalk beautifully to give a darker edge to your card stock. Rub over the ripped edge the desired colour either with a cotton wool ball or applicator. The overlapped edge of paper will have a softer more shaded colour to the actual exposed ripped edge.

Try using a ripped edge to create a stencil on your project and blend chalk colours over this, i.e. blend shades of blue over a ripped paper, move down the page using different shades of blue to create a sea effect. Also try decorative scissors to create decorative borders.

Paper punches may be used to create stencils. Blend colour through to add motifs to your designs. Of course many stencils are available and may be used with your chalks for great results.

Many people ask me if they need to seal or protect their chalked images. I personally do not, however, if your finished project may be continually handled you could use a very fine mist hairspray to spray over the top (often the cheapest is the best). Spray sealers are also available at good Art & Craft suppliers. Please note this is not really necessary, particularly using the Versamark inkpad technique, as this medium will hold the chalk in place.

Chalk enhancer

This is a fluid that may be applied onto your chalk, by placing a few drops onto your sponge applicator and rubbing over the desired colour - this creates almost a watercolour paint. On application this has a much more intense colour and is a more blended finish. When dry chalks return to normal.

New glimmer chalks

These are a more creamier consistency than the other chalks. They appear more transparent but can be built up to create an opaque finish. The result is a beautiful sheen or sparkle to your work (a similar effect to pearlex or perfect pearls). For more depth of colour apply over original chalks. Add highlights to your projects or that subtle touch of sparkle.

N.B. The Glimmer Chalks are not the best option if using the stamping/Versamark technique.

Chalks are one of my favourite colouring mediums, so experiment and have fun. I am sure you will enjoy using them.

Dawn Bibby