Color Outside The Lines At CMA's Chalk Festival

The Cleveland Museum of Art gets a lot more colorful during the 30th annual Chalk Festival Sept. 14 & 15. By snagging a small ($10) or large plot ($20) and a box of soft pastel chalk, beginners can band together alongside accomplished artists to create colorful works around the Fine Arts Garden.

“We probably have about 3,000 people that are creating artwork on the walkway,” says Robin VanLear, the museum’s community arts director. “We try to set up that kind of a space where everybody is able to get inspired by each other and learn techniques.”

Here, artist duo Jamie Cohen-Kiraly and Liane Engstrom offer tips for transforming your chalk drawing into a jaw-dropping masterpiece.

Carve out your section.

Create a stencil on heavy paper, taping it down over your square. Cut out one section at a time and color within it, ensuring a more precise creative process. “When you’re done, you have a nice crisp edge around your piece,” says Engstrom.

Blur the lines.

To really take your drawing to the next level, blend some of the colors together to create a multidimensional effect using small foam makeup applicators. “You can use very weird things that you wouldn’t expect to work,” says Cohen-Kiraly. 

Make it pop.

Create depth by keeping pale colors in the background and using vibrant, saturated colors as focal points. Make it more unique by using a water spray bottle to blend colors. “Art is about finding what works and using it to make it into something,” says Cohen-Kiraly.