by James H. Pence

A key component of any chalk artist’s presentation is the lighting.

In the past, when drawings were mostly “chalk talks”, there wasn’t much need for lighting beyond white lights. The surprise at the end of the drawing (which also functioned as the punch line or application) was usually accomplished through the clever manipulation of lines. The artist would appear to be drawing one thing and then it would suddenly turn into something different...

Anyone who has seen a chalk drawing knows that when the artist finishes his picture, he turns on a black light and a previously "invisible" picture appears. But how does the artist get the picture up there? The "secret" is invisible fluorescent chalk, and in today's video tip, STL chalk artist Jim Pence demonstrates how invisible fluorescent chalk works.

by James H. Pence 

There are two types of easels that chalk artists use: free-standing and tripod. A third variety, the bed-sheet easel, is more of a specialty easel that enables you to draw in a very large format (about 4 by 8 feet). However, this type of easel isn’t great for beginners, so I won't be covering it in this post.

by James H. Pence

I want to be a chalk artist. Can I go to my local arts and crafts store and buy an easel?

Probably not.

by James H. Pence

Okay, so you’ve decided that you want to be a chalk artist.

What comes next?

That’s kind of a “Which came first, the chicken or the egg” question. Chalk art equipment can be costly. So, should you buy and watch some instructional DVDs first and then invest in your chalk, easel, lighting, etc? Or should you just jump in with both feet, set up an easel and start learning to draw from day one?