Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Tuesday Tutorial: Chalking a Sky Background

Chalking a Sky Background
by Melyssa Connolly

I love the look of the airbrushed backgrounds I've been seeing on cards lately!  Unfortunetly I do not have an air brush system, I do have chalk so I took some pics of how I created a sky using chalk.

Step 1
Print or stamp two images.  Cut out one image to use as a mask.  Colour your second image.
*Post It Notes are perfect for making masks as they stick well and do not ruin your work!

Now that you are happy with your image it's time to do some chalking.
Step 2
Load up your pom pom with blue chalk. (or a Q-Tip works)
Cover the image with your mask image, hold down.
Working from the image gently apply chalk in a circular motion away from the image.

Step 3
As you work your way out the chalk the "sky" will get lighter. 
(the sky will be dark close to the image and get lighter as you move away)
This will give you the gradiant look (shades of light and dark) of an airbrush.

As you can see the chalk is a little messy.  That's why you do the chalking last, so you don't drag the loose chalk around while you colour.
Step 4
Dust off the chalk and remove the mask.
 
 Have a wonderful clear sky day!

18 comments:

Susie said...

Great idea - I've never thought to use chalk like that. Thank you! Awesome card BTW.

Ellis said...

That's a great idea, I'm going to use that for a card I'm making now! =)

Hugs, Elenor

http://www.metrobloggen.se/paltbarn

Shell Shearer Swinscoe said...

great thank you for the tutorial, it really does help

hugs shell xx

Debbie Fisher (debbiedee) said...

Thank you for sharing this lovely card and technique! I have chalk I haven't used in a very long time! I will definitely be giving this a try.

Kim said...

Never occurred to me to use chalk it looks really great. Will have to find mine and dust them off!

Barb- NICUGypsy said...

thanks for the great info. I always seem to have problems with the chalk rubbing off. Do you set yours in any way? TFS. hugs, barb

Call Me Crafty Al said...

That is FANTASTIC!! I really thought you had the airbrush system. TFS!

Rhonda said...

I never thought about chalk for my backgrounds. This is a great idea. Now all I need is some chalk...

Sheri Gilson said...

Fabulous Tutorial, Melyssa!! I love the idea of chalks and I happen to have a ton of them!! Thanks for putting this together for us!!

Marlene said...

Great Tutorial! Thanks for sharing! I will have to try it out.

Annie said...

Fabulous thank you so much for the tutorial.
Ann xxx

Diane (djuseless) said...

OMG, what a wonderful idea for creating a sky! I am going to have to try that really soon!

CraftCrave said...

Thank you! This blog post will be advertised on CraftCrave in the Tutorials category today (look for timestamp: [02 Mar 01:00pm GMT]).

Busym1 said...

good idea! Thank u for the tutorial! hugs michelle

Crafty In Carolina Stamper said...

Wow! This is awesome! I embarrassed to say, but I had no idea how to do sky backgrounds and such, but now I know! I'm gonna have to get some chalk...wondering if those are the chalks by Pebbles that you are using? Anywhoooo, thanks, love this tutorial!!!!

Crafty In Carolina Stamper said...

Wow! This is awesome! I embarrassed to say, but I had no idea how to do sky backgrounds and such, but now I know! I'm gonna have to get some chalk...wondering if those are the chalks by Pebbles that you are using? Anywhoooo, thanks, love this tutorial!!!!

Betty Benton said...

Thanks for the tutorial! I also love how you did your blades of grass!

Donna Espiritu said...

wow this is fantastic!! i love it!