Chalk Attraction Technique Tutorial by Leigh Snaith-Brunton

The Chalk Attraction Technique is perfect for those of you who like to have instant results without a lot of work or a lot of specialized supplies. I like to call this technique Chalk Attraction because I think it best describes what the technique is about but most of you probably know it as Poppin' Pastels! This is definitely one of my favourite techniques that is an oldie but a goodie and I'm pleased to bring it back into the limelight for you all today! Basically the technique involves stamping an image with a clear Versamark Watermark ink pad and the wet ink attracts the powdered chalk making the stamped image pop out from the cardstock. It's quite a versatile technique that can be adapted to suit any of your projects and here's some examples of what you can do with it!

Part 1 of the Chalk Attraction Technique Challenge: Creating Backgrounds

Creating backgrounds is a snap with this fun technique. It is so easy to do you can make a bunch of different backgrounds with various images and in different colours in a very short amount of time.

Stamp an image all over a sheet of white cardstock with a Versmark Watermark ink pad. While the ink is still wet randomly apply chalk to the stamped image with a sponge Dauber.

Working fairly quickly apply more colours until you're happy with the result. You don't have to rush the process but it is
best to work while the ink is still damp. You can go back over areas where chalk has already been applied and darken
the original colours used or add other colours on top of it. Fill in and brush over the entire background with the lightest
colour used for a nice cohesive finish.

I used three shades of brown with touches of black chalk on this background and finished by brushing the edges with red chalk.

Part 2 of the Chalk Attraction Technique Challenge: Colouring Stamped Images

Colouring an entire stamped design is another awesome way to use the Chalk Attraction Technique!

Compose and stamp a scene or a single image if you prefer with a Versamark Watermark ink pad onto white cardstock. For the purpose of the above photo I pre-inked my stamps with black ink and rubbed most of it off so that it stained my stamps and left a more visible impression so that you could see what I've done better. This is a neat little trick if you want to compose a scene and find it hard to see the glossy clear Versamark ink. The faint black ink doesn't effect the finished results of the chalked image but you could use a different ink that best matches your colour scheme if you prefer. (The pencil is in the photo just so that my camera had something to focus on).

There are many chalk application tools available like Daubers for larger areas, Pudgy and Pixie Applicators for small areas, Paper Blending Stumps and Fantastix come in various sizes but if you don't have these on hand then you can use eye shadow applicators and Q-Tips too!

Apply red chalk and light brown chalk to the image with a small chalk applicator.

Apply more brown chalk in 2 darker shades to give the image depth.

Continue building up the image by applying more brown chalk in various shades and also start applying black chalk to create shadows. I also started to incorporate red into the leaves at this point.

Use a tiny chalk applicator to apply black chalk to the eye area on the bird.

Continue building up the image until you're happy with the result.

Finish off the bird image by making the bird's eye stand out against the chalk. Add detail with a black ultra fine Sharpie marker and highlights with a white gel pen.
Here's a tip on correcting mistakes! I also did a second bird for my card and in the 2 photos to the left. I demonstrated how easy it is to correct a mistake.
I applied too much black chalk to the bird's beak but I fixed it easily with a Chalk A-Way Eraser! Fill in the white areas left by the eraser with a light dusting of the
same colours used in the image with a Dauber chalk applicator.

Part 3 of the Chalk Attraction Technique Challenge: Colouring Embossed Elements with Chalk.

In these 4 photos I demonstrated how you can also use your favourite die cutting and embossing products with the Chalk Attraction
Technique! In the first two photos I die cut and embossed a Spellbinders Heart Circles die and applied just the chalk to the hearts and also
chalked the eggs stamped with Versamark Watermark ink. In the 3rd photo I applied just chalk to the Cuttlebug 'Victoria' embossed design to demonstrate a more subtle chalk effect and in the 4th photo I applied the Versmark Watermark ink to the embossed Cuttlebug 'Tiny Bubbles'and applied chalk to it with a sponge dauber to achieve a more striking effect.

Check out my Valentine's Day card called Let Love Take Flight to see how I combined all of these various elements into my design!

Supplies

Chalks. Leigh used Decorationg Chalks. We quit carrying the large sets of those because they came to us damaged from the supplier more often than not and the cases break easily. We found that the Pebbles Chalks were just as nice to work with with a much more durable case for about the same cost.

VersaMark Ink Pad. You may find other brands of watermark, embossing inks work as well.

Applicators, User's Choice. Leigh used a large variety, most of which we carry. I also like to use a brush and pompoms, so if you use chalks and have favorite tools, feel free to go with what you know. The Fantastix are a nice addition.

Vintage Bird Illustrations Stamp Set. This set is available untrimmed or on cling cushion.

Spellbinders Dies, Users's Choice. Leigh used Nestabilities diesLabels 8 and Decorative Elements Heart Circles