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Chalkola · After Dark · Chalk Markers · Tutorial
DIY Halloween Chalk Art Decor Using Chalk Markers
Updated Sep 20267 min readBeginner-friendly
The quick answer
Chalk art halloween: The tutorial turns three glass jars into lanterns: pump orange, green and purple chalk marker ink onto a palette, sponge each color inside a jar, then draw scary faces or messages on the outside with a black chalk marker. Let the ink dry for a few minutes, drop a flameless LED tea light inside, and line them up on the.
Chalk markers glow on black
Amethyst
Chalk gold
Neon teal
Blush
Chalk white
Liquid chalk sits luminous on a dark surface — the same colours that look soft on white read neon on black.
FOR THE LANTERNS — 30 CHALK MARKERS, 6MM (PUMP INK ONTO YOUR PALETTE)
30 Colors — One pack containing all our Bright and Earth Chalk Markers. Use these Liquid chalk pens to decorate any Non-Porous surface including mirrors, shop storefront, whiteboard
Ultimate Freedom Of Expression — Chalkola’s liquid chalk markers are widely used for chalk lettering, to decorate wedding signs, milestone boards, menus, LED boards, contact paper, car mirrors, wine glasses and coffee mugs
Made for Everyone — Whether you're a Teacher, Mom, Student, Artist, Kid, Business, Office or Restaurant Owner our color markers make creating beautiful messages effortless.
Comes Off Easy — The chalkboard ink pen is washable and will work on almost any surface! Will erase off non-porous surfaces; such as blackboard (wet erase), glass (dry erase) and Permanent on porous surfaces
Halloween is just around the corner so now's the best time to start creating your spooky decorations.
Here's a fantastic and easy do-it-yourself idea that you can create with materials you can find at home. The kids are surely going to love this art activity too! ⠀
Instead of using fairy lights to decorate your front porch or yard, let's get more creative and spook-tacular, not to mention environmental, by reusing small- to medium-sized glass jars or bottles.
Candles (small ones that fit inside the glass jars)
Paintbrushes
Paint palette (you can use a regular plate as an option)
Sponge (doesn't have to be new)
Let's hallo-win this Halloween by following this easy DIY tutorial!
Steps:
Pump out orange chalk marker ink onto your palette or plate.
Dip the small sponge into the orange chalk marker ink, and apply it inside your first glass jar.
Next, pump out green chalk marker ink onto your palette, and apply it inside your second glass jar using the sponge.
Repeat this process using purple chalk marker ink for your third glass jar.
Once done, pick up your black chalk pen and draw scary faces, messages, or designs on all three glass jars.
Give it a few minutes to dry completely, and you can install the candles inside the jars and light them up come twilight.
You don't need store-bought halloween decorations to make the spookiest time of the year awesome and memorable. Just whip out your art supplies and get crafty with the things you already have lying around!
Why Chalk Markers Are Perfect for Halloween Decorations
Chalk markers offer unique advantages for Halloween crafting compared to traditional paint or permanent markers. Their water-based, erasable formula means you can experiment with designs without commitment—if you don't like your ghost's expression, simply wipe it away and start over.
The vibrant, opaque ink shows up beautifully on dark glass jars, creating stunning contrast when lit from within. In the tutorial the ink is pumped onto a palette and sponged inside each jar for the colored glow, then the marker tip takes over on the outside: a broad 6mm tip fills areas fast, while a 1mm fine tip handles spiderwebs, jack-o-lantern faces and spooky lettering.
Since the designs are temporary on glass, you can transform the same jars for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any seasonal celebration throughout the year. This reusability makes chalk markers an environmentally conscious choice that reduces waste while maximizing creative possibilities.
Creative Chalk Art Halloween Design Ideas
Beyond the classic jack-o-lantern faces shown in the tutorial, chalk markers open up endless Halloween design possibilities:
Haunted house silhouettes: Draw dark mansion outlines with lit windows on larger jars
Mummy wrap patterns: Create crisscrossing bandage lines with googly eyes peeking through
Spiderweb gradients: Mix white chalk marker ink on a palette to create dimensional web effects
Candy corn patterns: Layer orange, yellow, and white in geometric sections
Ghostly messages: Write "BOO" or "ENTER IF YOU DARE" in drippy lettering
Bat colonies: Stamp small bat shapes using a sponge dipped in black marker ink
The paintbrush and palette technique demonstrated in the video lets you blend colors and create watercolor-like effects that aren't possible with markers alone. Experiment with metallic shades for elegant adult parties or neon colors for kid-friendly brightness.
Tips for Long-Lasting Halloween Chalk Art
To ensure your chalk marker Halloween decorations look vibrant throughout the season, follow these best practices:
Surface preparation: Clean glass jars thoroughly with rubbing alcohol or glass cleaner before applying chalk markers. Any residual oil or dust prevents the ink from adhering smoothly and can cause streaking.
Proper marker priming: Shake chalk markers vigorously for 30-60 seconds before use and pump the tip on scrap paper until ink flows evenly. This ensures consistent color saturation in your Halloween designs.
Layering technique: Allow each color to dry for 2-3 minutes before adding adjacent details. This prevents colors from bleeding together, especially important when creating crisp black outlines around orange pumpkin shapes.
Keep them under cover: The ink is water-based, so rain will run it. Display the lanterns under a covered porch or indoors rather than on an exposed step. Skip clear sealers — a sealer makes the design permanent, and the whole point of chalk markers is wiping the jars clean for the next holiday.
Candle safety: Use battery-operated LED tea lights instead of real flames inside decorated jars, especially around children. The ink sits inside the jar where a candle would go, so a flameless light keeps the glow and removes the fire risk.
FOR THE FACES & LETTERING — 1MM FINE-TIP CHALK MARKERS
Extra Fine Tip Liquid Chalk Markers for Blackboard (30 Pack 1mm) Pastel + Neon Chalk Pens
★★★★★4.5 · 5,921 verified reviews
$29.94 USD
30 Colors — One pack containing all our Bright and Earth Chalk Markers. Use these Liquid chalk pens to decorate any Non-Porous surface including mirrors, shop storefront, whiteboard
The Ultimate Freedom Of Expression — Chalkola’s liquid chalk markers erasable are widely used to decorate wedding signs, milestone boards, menus, LED boards, contact paper, car mirrors, wine glasses and coffee mug.
Made For Everyone — Whether you're a Teacher, Mom, Student, Artist, Kid, Business, Office or Restaurant Owner our markers make creating beautiful messages effortless.
Comes Off Easy — The chalkboard ink pen is washable and will work on almost any surface! Will erase off non-porous surfaces; such as blackboard (wet erase), glass & mirrors (dry erase) and Permanent on porous surfaces
💰 Use code CHK10OFF at checkout · save 10% on this order
"Bought for my daughter's pot-painting birthday party — 8 kids, zero mess, every kid took home a beautiful labeled herb pot."
— Maya R. · ★★★★★
What customers say about Chalkola chalk markers
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Average rating
24K+
Verified reviews
96%
Would recommend
Wet-erase
on non-porous surfaces
★★★★★
"I letter wedding signage on chalkboards and glass — Chalkola is the only brand that stays opaque, wipes clean with a damp cloth, and never ghosts. Three years, same go-to."
Maya R. · Verified Amazon buyer
★★★★★
"Bright, fully opaque on black, and they don't dry out between uses like the last brand I tried. The fine tip is perfect for detailed lettering and small drawings."
Jenna L. · Verified Amazon buyer
★★★★★
"Used them on a glass front door for the holidays — wiped off in seconds with a wet paper towel, zero residue. My kids use them on their chalkboard wall every day."
Olivia T. · Verified Amazon buyer
★★★★★
"Tried four brands before this. Chalkola lays down smooth without skipping, the colors are vivid, and the reversible tip gives me both fine lines and bold fills."
The tutorial turns three glass jars into lanterns: pump orange, green and purple chalk marker ink onto a palette, sponge each color inside a jar, then draw scary faces or messages on the outside with a black chalk marker. Let the ink dry for a few minutes, drop a flameless LED tea light inside, and line them up on the porch at dusk. The designs wipe off with a damp cloth, so the same jars can be redone for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Yes — chalk markers write on the smooth skin of a real pumpkin, so you can draw jack-o-lantern faces without carving. Pumpkin skin is not fully non-porous, so test on the underside first: most designs wipe off with a damp cloth, but some skins hold a faint tint. Keep painted pumpkins indoors or under cover, because rain will run the water-based ink.
Chalk markers are ideal for non-porous surfaces like glass jars, mirrors, windows, chalkboards, and ceramic. For Halloween projects, glass jars and windows are especially popular because they're reusable year after year and the designs wipe off easily with water when the season ends.
Chalkola chalk markers are water-based and non-toxic, and the ink washes off hands with soap and water. Keep an adult on the glass jars and on the light source — use flameless LED tea lights rather than candles when children are involved — and let the kids do the drawing.
On non-porous surfaces like glass, simply wipe with a damp cloth or sponge to remove chalk marker designs. For stubborn marks, use a little water and gentle scrubbing. The water-based formula ensures easy cleanup, letting you reuse jars and windows for Thanksgiving or Christmas decorations.
Traditional Halloween colors like orange, black, white, and purple create classic spooky effects. Neon colors read extra bright when the jar is lit from inside, while metallic shades like gold and silver work beautifully for elegant Halloween party décor. Mixing colors on a palette expands your creative options significantly.
Chalk markers work on outdoor surfaces like porch windows and glass doors. However, the water-based formula can run if exposed to rain. For outdoor Halloween displays, place decorated glass jar lanterns under covered porches or awnings to protect them from moisture while still showcasing your spooky artwork.
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