posted
If I can get this image to load, you should see a pic of my first chalkboard.
Rob was kind enough to post a step-by-step for those of us interested in learning this medium. This is my first attempt, a practise board for a "fresh produce" sign I am going to do.
It took me a while to find the things I needed. I ended up using krylon chalboard spray on a piece of sintra. I based in the veggies with ceramacoat acrylic paints and then sprayed with a matte acrylic laytex sealer. I didn't find any conte pencils as Rob suggested, so this is all done in soft chalks. I did one veggie at a time, working from the back and then spraying with clear so I wouldn't smudge them.
They did fade a little with each coat of spray, so I added highlights as I worked.
THANK YOU ROB!!!!! I'm so glad you took the time to share your skills with the rest of us here on the BB.
That's great! I like it. Hard to believe that is your first one!
Have a great one!
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6451 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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sue that looks great you really got the hang of that step by step
-------------------- paul taylor pictougraph images new glasgow, nova scotia paultaylor42@hotmail.com Posts: 80 | From: nova scotia | Registered: Feb 2002
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Well done Sue, and thanks for your kind comments, I am really keen to contribute and help others to succeed, so it's very gratifying to see you do just that.
The work looks good and as you do more you will find the better you will get and the easier they will become.
"Rembrandts" are another brand of hard pastel, and there are many other brands, keep looking you will find them, the colours are really great.
Ceramacoat Acrylics, do they dry flat? or is this clear coat the way to get 'em flat?
If I might add, keep in mind that the arrangement must look natural, Imagine that you are looking down on the produce from a slight angle, and that all of it is sitting on the table. The watermelon for example looks as though it is standing up on its own, it may be better to lay it down and imagine some of the other items leaning against it. You have achieved this effect with the beans, they look like they are naturally laying on top of each other.
Also, don't be afraid to take some of the items out into dark shadow, even to black, this gives the piece excellent contrast. Check this out on some of my pics, you will see that I imagine a very strong light source, creating strong shadows and cutting down the amount of detaail needed and therefore the time taken.
These are minor observations on what is an excellent piece of work , all that is needed now is fine tuning.
I'll find a good example of what I am getting at and post it here.
I'm thrilled Sue, absolutely thrilled, good onya.
RobC
[ March 02, 2002, 06:33 PM: Message edited by: Rob Clark ]
-------------------- Rob Clark Rob Clark Design 11 Lassig st Moore Park Queensland Australia 0741598092 Posts: 421 | From: Australia | Registered: May 1999
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Thanks again everyone, for your kind replies.
Rob, I understand what you mean about the natural layout of how these items would really sit. I used a picture I had cut out for a pattern for this practise board, but for the job I think I will draw my own pattern.
Ceramacoat paints are acrylic latex decorative paints. They are not really flat, but after a spray of this matte spray, they worked just fine for an undercoat. (before I sprayed them, I could scratch it off with my fingernail) The spray I used is krylon's clear matte finish. (clear latex enamel) I sprayed a fine mist probably 8 different times during this project, and could add more detail right overtop.
Thanks for the extra tips Rob, I'll save these images and refer to them.
It's really important that the chalks "bind" on the surface as you work. This paint you are describing sounds like it may be a bit too smooth, it shouldn't be necessary to put so many coats of clear on if you can find a "dead flat" paint to work with.
This clear must be knocking the color back a fair bit.
Looking forward to seeing more.
RobC
-------------------- Rob Clark Rob Clark Design 11 Lassig st Moore Park Queensland Australia 0741598092 Posts: 421 | From: Australia | Registered: May 1999
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Beautiful work and very informative posts (THANK-YOU!).
Question: How much can you charge for this type of work?
-------------------- Jon Aston MARKETING PARTNERS "Strategy, Marketing and Business Development" Tel 705-719-9209 Posts: 1724 | From: Barrie, ON, CANADA | Registered: Sep 2000
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I'm really proud of you Suelynn, it looks awesome
It ain't that hard to pull one or two Chaukies from the closet when all you have to do is ask a simple question on the BB. I'm also proud of myself for asking the question
-------------------- HotLines Joey Madden - pinstriping since 1952 'Perfection, its what I look for and what I live for'
You guys have absolutely made my day!! I agree with your comments wholeheartedly Nettie. I am here to learn, and I'm so thankful that there are people willing to share their talents.
Joey, I think that's the nicest thing I've ever heard you say!! I'm proud of you too!
Sue
-------------------- "It is never too late to be what you might have been." -George Eliot
Suelynn Sedor Sedor Signs Carnduff, SK Canada Posts: 2863 | From: Carnduff, SK Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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SueLynn, wow, first time, it's awesome!. What reference material did you work from?Are those beans, or OKRA? I've been dinkin around with chalk and Robs underpainting, but your work has got me going, have to GET SERIOUS AND DO IT! Thanks to Rob too, you walk the chalk!
-------------------- John Lennig / Big Top Sign Arts 5668 Ewart Street, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada bigtopya@hotmail.com 604.451.0006 Posts: 2184 | From: Burnaby, British Columbia,Canada | Registered: Nov 2001
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I had clipped this picture out of a gardening magazine about 4 years ago because I liked the colors and the layout. It was perfect to use for this practice piece; funny how things work out!
Also, I'm embarrased to say that those beans are supposed to be pea pods! I know they look like beans, but I had trouble keeping a sharp enough edge on the chalks for small detail. Once I find the conte pencils, I should be okay.
I'd love to see what you are working on.
Sue
-------------------- "It is never too late to be what you might have been." -George Eliot
Suelynn Sedor Sedor Signs Carnduff, SK Canada Posts: 2863 | From: Carnduff, SK Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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whoops...sorry Sue, um.....er...........I really meant pea pods.............they are really cool pea pods..........really cool......um.................
oh jee
RobC
-------------------- Rob Clark Rob Clark Design 11 Lassig st Moore Park Queensland Australia 0741598092 Posts: 421 | From: Australia | Registered: May 1999
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That's a fantastic job Suelynn! I love the detail work you did! I'm with Rob on this one, just like Mama used to tell us in regard to boys, leave a little mystery! Hehehe! (around the edges) ...more realistic, like a candlelit set up.
I'm in awe, you studied Rob's step-by-step and show some great talent! It's great to see this followed up! Show us more!
[ March 06, 2002, 09:23 PM: Message edited by: Linda Silver Eagle ]
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