Temporary Street Art!
This simple technique provides you with a new medium to create temporary works which are completely washable. Use a roll of masking tape or create stencil templates and take them with you to share your message wherever you like. Whether you’re taking your artist practice out to the streets to protest or beautifying the driveway, we hope this simple technique will help you to make something you enjoy creating.
When creating your composition consider your purpose an refer to your favorite street artists.
Searching typography, iconography, and looking at images made by other artists can help focus your ideas and give you a starting point.
This moving tribute from our 2018 exhibition Vivid Memories of a Blurred Past shares examples of graffiti style typography and street art motifs. Look around your own neighborhood or favorite outdoor spaces to observe the contributions of street artists working in your area.
Materials you’ll need:
Corn starch
Water
Food Coloring (tempera paint or washable watercolor also work)
Empty spray bottle
Bowl, wisk, funnel
Cardboard
Scissors or craft knife
Step 1: Create your stencil template
Draw your design on a piece of recycled cardboard. Use scissors or a craft knife to carefully cut out each element of your design to create a stencil.
If you aren’t interested in cutting out an elaborate design or would rather keep things simple, use a roll of masking tape to write out your message.
Step 2: Create your chalk spray
In a bowl, pour in about one cup of corn starch (no need to measure). Add at least 10 drops of food coloring and a splash of water. Wisk contents and continue slowly adding water until mixture is smooth and thin enough to spray through a standard spray bottle nozzle. If the color has lightened feel free to add additional food coloring to intensify the hue.
Step 3: Create your composition
Choose a place to create your composition. This chalk spray is completely washable so feel free to place your creation anywhere!! (Always get permission if stenciling on private property). Lay down your stencil or tape down your message. Spray chalk paint evenly across your composition. Don’t worry about making mistakes! This washable chalk paint can be easily rinsed off.
**Tip: If your stencil utilizes a detailed or complex design, stick it down with spray adhesive or tape to ensure clearer details.
Step 4: Share your work!
We love seeing how you use these prompts in your artist practice. Share your creation with us on social media using the tag: #ACMakes.
