Forever and Ever Chalkboard Art Tutorial

I have a couple chalkboards in my home. I have one in the bedroom.

                            

I have one in the kitchen.

                           

I made both using old frames. The one in the kitchen has a little something extra. I used a piece of metal purchased from a hardware store, making the chalkboard magnetic, too. See how I did it here.

Recently, a sweet girl in our church asked to borrow it for her wedding. The couple was having an ice cream bar at the reception and they wanted some chalkboard art identifying the station. Because it was to be left at the reception hall the day before I worried that the chalkboard art might not make it until the reception; it might get smudged or erased as it was being set up at the facility. (My inner skeptic is alive and well.)

The following was my solution:
(Note: I am showing photos from 2 different canvases because I always forget to take pictures the first time around.)

I pulled a canvas wrapped board from my stash. You can purchase these at Michaels, A.C.Moore and the like. I buy them when on sale and keep them around for my hair-brained ideas. I painted the canvas with chalkboard paint I had on hand. This took two coats. Black acrylic paint would probably be fine for this application, too.

While that was drying I pulled out my sketch pad and went to work. I did a couple of Pinterest searches for ice cream signs and mushed my finds into one drawing on my sketch pad. I tweaked it until it was what I was happy with it. I texted a picture of my drawing over to the bride for approval.

When the green light was given I went to my copier and enlarged the print. I had about 4 pieces of paper when all was done and I taped them together. (This is where I forgot to keep taking photos.)

On the back side of the taped copies I rubbed a stick of chalk all over the areas where my design was.

I delicately placed the print, chalk side down, on the dry canvas.

With a pencil I traced the printed image leaving a chalk outline of my drawing on the blackened canvas. Up to this point this is often how I will do my chalkboards in my home. but they are meant to be erased and remade. For this project I reached for a one of my chalkboard pens that won't come off so easily.

Trace over the lines with the pen, filling in the fatter lines to resemble calligraphy. Sometimes, I have to go back over the white once it's dry to get good coverage. When the chalk pen ink was dry I did have to go back to the canvas and do a little clean up. Remember your paint pen takes some time to dry and if you rest your hand in it while writing you will make little messes on your canvas that you will have to clean up.

To erase your original chalk trace marks or chalk smudges you can use a soft paint brush and lightly brush the board after you are sure the chalk pen ink is dry. To clean up paint pen smudges a q-tip and a little water does wonders!

 In the Ice Cream piece I used a red piece of red chalk to fill in the heart and the cherry on top.

To use it with my pre-existing frame I hot-glue four magnets to the back corners. You can mount it in your own frame or just lean the board on a mantle or a shelf.

For me, the artwork can attach to my chalkboard. Finally, to protect the work, spray it with a matte sealer. I used Krylon Matte Finish. Now it won't get smudged and the happy newlyweds got to take their artwork home where they can frame it or stick it on the fridge ... Maybe it will be around when they are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary!

And, my chalkboard is ready for the next thing my mind can conjure up!

Thanks for spending time with me today.  I would love to see pictures if you decide to 

make one of your own! 

Jolena

Partying On!
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