Chalks & Pastels

July 25, 2008 Crafts, Techniques and Mediums No Comments
  • Chalks and pastels are a softer form of color that can be added to your creativity. 
  • Most chalks available are acid free, but read the packaging to make sure.  Chalks normally come in containers and an applicator is needed.
  • Applicators include sponge tipped sticks, brushes, cotton swabs, make up sponges, and even your fingertips.  If you use chalks a lot you will want at least 2 applicators, one for light colors and one for dark colors.
  • There are two types of pastels.  One is oil based and isn’t the best selection for scrapbooking, the other is water based, a little less dusty than chalks.  Pastels also come in raw sticks or as a pencil.
  • Using chalks and pastels is messy since the chalks and pastels get dusty.  Keep an eye on your work area to make sure the chalk and pastel dust isn’t getting onto items you don’t want chalked!
  • Chalks and pastels add interest to die cuts, wood cut outs, rubberstamp images, paper printed photos, and punched shapes. 
  • Although it is stated that chalks and pastels “set” or become permanent after 24 hours, keep in mind that chalks and pastels will fade and can be rubbed off over time.  A fixative or spray sealer should be used to make the chalks and pastels truly permanent.  Krylon’s Preserve It works well to seal the chalks and pastels.
  • As with most color, you will have the best results if you work or add the darker colors first, then bring in the lighter hues.
  • Darker colors will shade and add depth.  Lighter colors highlight and add dimension.
  • You can stencil with chalks just as you can with paint and inks.  It’s another way to use your brass templates!
  • If you make a mistake, there are chalk erasers on the market.  If you work quickly, you can remove some of the color with a clean cotton swab. 
  • You can mix chalks and pastels to get additional colors just like you can with paints.
  • Chalks and pastels work best on porous surfaces like paper and wood.  Chalks and pastels will not adhere to nonporous surfaces like plastic or tile.
  • Tap the surface of what you are chalking between colors to remove any excess chalk.  Tap onto a scrap of paper or paper plate.
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Artist Trading Cards

July 25, 2008 Paper Crafts, Techniques and Mediums No Comments
  • Just like baseball or other sports “trading cards”, artist trading cards are to be traded and collected.
  • This art form has few rules, but two are very important. The first one rule is that the dimensions of the ATC must be 2.5″x 3.5″. The second rule is that the cards are always traded without cost; you should never pay for an artist trading card.
  • It’s not a rule, but artist trading cards should be signed on the back. Since ATC are used in trading, most artists also include some contact information like an e-mail address.
  • The cards can be created using digital elements (on your computer!) or using more traditional artist materials like paint, brushes, ink, paper, markers, pencils, and rubberstamps.
  • Artist trading cards can be one dimensional like a paper collage or highly dimensional using a broad span of textures and found objects. Almost anything goes when creating these miniature pieces of art and it’s a great way to experiment with textures, color, lines, and balance.
  • Trading cards are stored as a collection in several ways. A popular solution is to use albums with 9-pocket sheets available used to store more traditional trading cards. However, since we are talking about a creative adventure, many display their cards by framing them or incorporating them into other frame-able home accents.
  • Within artist trading cards there are cards called, signature cards. These are like “business” cards for the artists. A “masterpiece” is created and used as a signature cards for that artist.
  • ATCs are also called pocket art, miniature art or art in your pocket.
  • Cards are traded in person at trading sessions, consumer shows, and also by swaps or mail exchanges. The idea is to use the trading cards as a means of introduction and a way to share your love of art and creativity.
  • You can find Artist Trading Card galleries on the web. Just use the keywords artist trading cards or ATC in any web search engine.
  • Usually traded just as a card, artists also enjoy embellishing ATC envelopes as a way to expand the creativity of the basic ATC.
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