By Angie Felix

Chalking

Sometimes a soft touch of color is all you need to give your page or card that little something extra. What’s a quick way and easy way to add that little boost? Acid-free chalk. If you haven’t tried it out, you’ll love the subtle, yet defining impact chalk can have on your projects.

Take a look at the page to the right. See how Shauna highlighted this vellum with black and brown chalks? This soft, subtle effect blends the tones of the page together and gives it the traveled, worn look that’s consistent with the page theme.

What you need to know before starting is that it’s imperative you buy acid-free chalk to use on your paper crafting projects, rather than picking up your children’s sidewalk or blackboard chalk. These chalks are not acid-free and can corrode your photos. Plus, acid-free chalks like those from Craf-T products have extra concentrated pigment that makes them perfect for paper crafting. Our favorite chalks are the 24-color chalk set and the Glimmer Chalks, both from Craft-T Products.

Chalks come in a variety of color palettes and can be found easily at your local craft store. Many are labeled “Decorating Chalks” and are labeled, “Acid-Free” and “Non-Toxic”. Chalks typically come with at least one sponge applicator to use, but you can also use a cotton swab, make-up sponge, paintbrush or even your finger to apply chalk to your project.

Before you’re ready to actually add chalk to a project, we recommend practicing blending colors on scrap paper and blotting the chalk on the scrap paper to prevent it from being darker than you desire.

Ready to give it a try? Here are some ideas on how you can use chalk on your projects:

Edging:
Apply chalk to the edges of torn paper or vellum to add depth to the paper. The sponge applicator works best for this technique

Shading:
Use an applicator to rub chalk around the edges and any areas that would normally be in a shadow. For a different look, shade the center instead, leaving the edges without chalk.

Highlighting
Apply light chalk to dark papers or over a dark colored area. Or shade an area with a darker color, then highlight an area next to that with a lighter color. You can also highlight letters or key words in journaling using the sponge applicator. For adding fine detail to a quote, try the tip of a cotton swab. Hold it at a 90 degree angle to the quote, then touch it to the surface with a soft dabbing action.

Blending Colors on Paper:
First, apply one chalk color to the paper, then another color on top of the first. Subtle and multiple colors can be achieved by using two or three colors together, such as red and orange; orange and yellow; or red, orange and yellow.

Blending Colors on the Applicator:
Dip the applicator in one chalk color, then in a second. Rub the applicator on the paper, creating a new color. For example, apply brown, then red to the applicator. As it’s applied to the paper, the colors together create burgundy.

A quick tip for cleaning up unwanted chalking? A white artist’s eraser will erase stray chalk marks. You can re-chalk over the erased area.

So grab a chalk set, an applicator and apiece of scratch paper and play!  Were betting you'll  love the creative possibilities.