7 Hours of Chalking in 2 Minutes: Time-Lapse Chalk Drawing of John Lennon

This is my fourth portrait I've finished with chalk! First there was Einstein, then Marilyn Monroe, Tom Petty, and now John Lennon. Three of these were for an annual event that I participate in where my current studio is located, IdeaXfactory. We partner with a local non-profit, FosterAdopt Connect SWMO, to raise awareness for their wonderful services for foster and adoptive children. I chose to chalk John Lennon in theme with them because I had learned he was adopted by his Aunt and Uncle since his parents were unfit to care for him.

Here I am posing with the nearly finished portrait.

I had learned some tips from my very talented artist friend, Francois Lariviere, before chalking my first Einstein portrait and continue to implement his advice, and I have learned a lot on my own in practice as well as some great tips from other participating artists at events. I use a grid system with 1'x1' squares. Lennon is 6'x7'. I create a printed reference with the grid laid on top and am careful with how I allow the image to be intersected by it, especially the important facial features. I use gray scale chalk pastels, and I have a few nicer Prismacolor chalk pastels leftover from a college drawing class I use sparingly for more intense, darker color.

Once I have my grid laid down on the asphalt or concrete (this one is on asphalt), I start outlining the basic shapes. Then, I start from the middle, typically the eyes so that it's interesting to my audience from the beginning, and that way I don't have to worry so much about disrupting the chalk by walking on it as much as I would otherwise. I still do this because the wind likes to blend my chalk as I go and because I continue to see ways to improve likeness as I work my way out to the outer squares.

I like to wear gloves to protect my hands even though I always wear holes in the fingertips, even the heavy duty gloves I chose this time. One of the artists suggested using a paintbrush to blend which you can see me implementing toward the end of the process which saved my hands.

Process photo by Pam RuBert at IdeaXFactory

I also like to add color to add my own flair. It helps me establish my values and likeness a bit easier. There's something about pure black-and-white that doesn't satisfy me these days.

I set up my camera and filmed my process. My camera kept shutting off because of the heat (95 degrees on asphalt), but I strung together the clips I filmed and really didn't miss too much. It was so fun and requires so much focus I barely noticed how hot it was. I sped it up 12,000% to create this time-lapse. It took just over 7 hours, and I placed 1st in the adult category! Very exciting!

I was also in the newspaper and was interviewed by the local news on TV! They spelled my last name incorrectly, but I'm used to it with my unusual name haha. You can watch it here.

Local paper promoting the Chalk Festival with a photo from my first year participating.

I started another one this weekend for our "Second Saturday" promotion for extra practice, but the wind gusts kept mixing my pigments so I'm going to finish it tonight or in the morning when the wind calms! Being on poured concrete, it makes this a more difficult factor but much easier on my hands. Another time-lapse in progress as well!

Photo by Russ RuBert of the IdeaXfactory.

I have a lot to catch you all up on, I've been scurrying the last month or so being in the moving process and juggling multiple projects. Stay tuned for more paintings, pottery, and chalk drawings!

Thanks for looking!

www.christiesnelson.com