Chalk is a great material not only for school, but also for art and activities. In this post, we’ll discuss how colored chalk is made, one way to make it at home, and some of the brands we recommend.
What is Colored Chalk?
Colored chalk has the same ingredients as white chalk (calcium carbonate) but before the water is added, the manufacturer adds pigment and then cures and bakes the chalk sticks. he primary source of chalk in the USA is limestone. Pastels chalk, however, is made with calcium sulfate instead of calcium carbonate. For more information on chalk pastels, visit our article Chalk Pastels.
How to Make Colored Chalk
Making chalk with colors is fun and not that difficult. This method uses just 3 ingredients.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Plaster of Paris or Pottery Plaster
- Tempura powder paint or food coloring
- Water
- Mold (silicone preferred)
- Utensils to work with the mix (spoons, etc.)
You will use 2 parts water for 3 parts plaster. The amount will vary based on the size of the molds you use. Below are steps when using a smaller mold.
- 2 tbsp water
- 3 tbsp of plaster.
- Add 1/2 teaspoon of tempura powder paint per color (6-8 drops of food coloring).
- Mix well. You can add drops of water if the mix is dry.
- Put in mold of choice (silicone works well).
- To fill in any gaps in the mold, leave about 1/8 inch free at the top, and and add a final layer of watery mix. You can achieve this by adding water to the mix. This will fill in any gaps in the mold.
- Allow to dry for a minimum of 12 hours.
Recommended Brands
If you are looking to purchase colored chalk, we recommend the following. To purchase or find out more information, you can click the name or photo.
1. Crayola Colored Chalk and Crayola Sidewalk Chalk
:
Features:
- Can be used both indoors and outdoors
- Non-toxic
- Superior quality
- 16 assorted colors
4. Rikagaku Dustless Color Chalk:
4. S & S Giant Box of Sidewalk Chalk
Conclusion
Whether you are having fun outside or creating a work of art, colored chalk can be a great way to express creativity, and of course, it’s washable! For more choices and styles, please visit this page. Thank you for visiting our site. If you have any questions or comments, be sure to write us at our contact page.