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The Chalkola Review · Chalk Markers · Tutorial
How to Paint Backgrounds Using Chalk Markers
Updated Oct 20267 min readBeginner-friendly
The brief
Chalk marker drawings: Chalk markers work on non-porous surfaces like chalkboards, glass, windows, mirrors, plastic, and metal. The ink wipes off cleanly with water when dry. Avoid porous materials like unsealed wood or paper, as the ink may stain permanently.
THE CHALK MARKERS FOR THIS PROJECT
Extra Fine Tip Liquid Chalk Markers for Blackboard (30 Pack 1mm) Pastel + Neon Chalk Pens
★★★★★4.5 · 6,013 Amazon ratings
$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
Aside from being the best markers for drawing and writing on non-porous surfaces, did you know that you can also use liquid chalk pens to paint? That's right. For starters, all you have to do is shake the chalk marker with the tip up, and press the nib on your paint palette a few times to pump out smooth, vibrant chalk marker ink, which you can then use to paint!
It's as easy as it sounds. With that said, today, we'll show you a unique way to create a mesmerizing explosion of colors as a cool background for your chalkboard artwork.
Tissue paper (for blotting or dabbing the chalk marker ink)
Ready to make your background the star of the show? Let's start by watching the tutorial video below:
Steps:
Choose 3 to 5 colors that you want to combine.
Scribble each marker on the chalkboard.
Spray water 7 inches away from the chalkboard.
Tilt the chalkboard to spread the chalk ink.
Allow the chalk ink to dry.
Once it's dry, you can now write or draw anything on it!
You may add more details by tapping the chalk marker on your finger and make paint dabbing motions.
And you're done. Just imagine the countless color combinations, styles, and ways you can create background art with this technique! With one pack of these vibrant and versatile chalk markers, you're bound to experience endless creativity.
Want to see how brilliant these Jumbo Chalk Marker colors are on glass? Check out this inspiring story of LA-based artist El NiNo who spreads hope, love, and positivity to those in health facilities around the county through glass art. Here's Paint It Forward Through Window Chalk Art with NiNo Alicea. Happy creating!
Step-by-Step: Creating a Color-Burst Background
Follow these steps to master the wet-blending background technique for chalk marker drawings:
Prime your markers: Shake each Chalkola Jumbo Chalk Marker with the tip pointing up. Press the 15mm nib on a palette or plastic surface several times to pump out a pool of vibrant ink.
Apply base colors: Dot or stroke your chosen colors directly onto the chalkboard in a loose pattern. Don't worry about precision—the blending process creates the magic.
Spray and blend: Lightly mist the surface with water from a spray bottle. The water activates the chalk marker ink, allowing colors to flow and merge.
Dab and texture: Use crumpled tissue paper to gently dab, swirl, and blend the wet ink. Vary your pressure and motion to create organic color explosions and gradients.
Layer and adjust: Add more color where needed, spray again, and continue blending until you achieve your desired effect.
Let dry: Allow 2-3 minutes for the background to dry completely before adding foreground chalk marker drawings or lettering.
This technique transforms simple chalk marker art into dimensional paintings with depth and movement. The water-based formula makes experimenting risk-free—if you don't like the result, just wipe clean and start over.
Chalk Marker Art Ideas Using This Technique
Once you've mastered the background blending method, apply it to these popular chalk marker drawings and projects:
Seasonal window displays: Create sunset backgrounds for fall scenes, galaxy effects for winter holidays, or pastel washes for spring florals
Restaurant specials boards: Add colorful bursts behind menu items to draw attention to featured dishes or drinks
Event signage: Design eye-catching welcome signs, seating charts, or photo booth backdrops with vibrant gradient backgrounds
Kids' room décor: Make erasable rainbow backgrounds for weekly chore charts, growth tracking, or creative play spaces
Retail promotions: Highlight sales messaging on storefront glass with bold, blended color explosions that stop foot traffic
Home art projects: Transform mirrors, picture frames, or cabinet glass into rotating artwork displays
The beauty of chalk marker drawings is their temporary nature—change your designs weekly, seasonally, or whenever inspiration strikes. All Chalkola chalk markers are fully erasable on non-porous surfaces with just water and a cloth.
Choosing the Right Chalk Markers for Drawing
Different chalk marker drawings require different tools. Here's how to select the right markers for your project:
Jumbo 15mm tips are ideal for the background painting technique in this tutorial. They hold more ink, cover large areas quickly, and produce bold, saturated colors perfect for blending. Use these for backgrounds, filling large shapes, or making a statement on big surfaces like storefront windows.
Standard 6mm reversible tips excel at detailed chalk marker drawings, lettering, and fine linework. The reversible design offers both chisel and bullet points in one marker, giving you versatility for varied line weights and calligraphy effects.
Fine-tip 3mm markers provide precision for intricate patterns, small text, or adding fine details to larger compositions after the background dries.
All Chalkola chalk markers feature the same high-quality, water-based pigment formula that's non-toxic, odorless, and erasable on glass, chalkboards, windows, and other non-porous surfaces. Every order ships free anywhere in the USA.
READY TO CREATE? GRAB YOUR CHALK MARKERS
Chalkola Dual Tip Liquid Chalk Markers for Blackboard (16 Pack, 1mm+5mm Fine, Bold Tip) | Wet Erase, Chalk Pens for Chalkboard Signs, Car Windows, Glass, Calendar, Mirrors
★★★★★4.4 · 7,046 Amazon ratings
$15.95 USD
16 Dual Tip Chalk Markers Erasable — 10 vibrant neon chalk paint markers + 6 metallic glass markers (gold, silver, red, green, blue, pink). Thin 1mm extra fine tip for precise details, small text, and 5mm bold tip for filling backgrounds, large lettering, and broad coverage.
Erasable Chalk Board Marker Pens — These liquid chalk pens flow smoothly on any non-porous surface. Simply wipe clean with damp cloth on chalkboards, glass, ceramic, plastic and metal (dry & wet erase), becomes permanent on porous surfaces like wood.
Multi-Surface Versatility — Perfect as bistro chalk markers, LED board markers & wedding markers. Create beautiful designs on menu boards, shop windows, whiteboards & milestone boards. The erasable markers properties make updates easy.
Perfect for Business & Home — Ideal chalk board markers for teachers, artists & office use. Make eye-catching signs, window displays & classroom materials. These blackboard chalk markers create professional-looking displays effortlessly.
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What customers say about Chalkola chalk markers
4.5★
Amazon rating
6,013
Amazon ratings
87%
rate it 4★ or 5★
74%
5★ ratings
★★★★★
"Work great, really easy and satisfying to write with and are easy to erase."
Tamer U. · Verified Purchase · Amazon review, Aug 2025
★★★★★
"These markers are fantastic and super vibrant colors. Smooth application and easy to switch between the fine and bold tips. The variety of colors make them perfect for all my uses. Rock art, my white board as well as glass art."
Amazon customer · Verified Purchase · Amazon review, Aug 2025
★★★★★
"Ease of removal, durability, dries quickly, great writing ability"
Amazon customer · Verified Purchase · Amazon review, Feb 2025
★★★★★
"Great! I love them for my clear calendar on my fridge!"
Destiny S. · Verified Purchase · Amazon review, Aug 2025
Ratings: Chalkola 30 Extra Fine Liquid Chalk Markers on Amazon.com, September 2026. Quotes are verified Amazon reviews, shown as written.
Chalk markers work on non-porous surfaces like chalkboards, glass, windows, mirrors, plastic, and metal. The ink wipes off cleanly with water when dry. Avoid porous materials like unsealed wood or paper, as the ink may stain permanently.
Shake the marker tip-up, press the nib on a palette to pump out ink, then apply dots or strokes to your surface. Spray lightly with water and use tissue paper to blend and dab the colors into swirling patterns. This creates vibrant, painterly backgrounds for artwork.
No, chalk marker drawings are erasable on non-porous surfaces. Once the ink dries, simply wipe with a damp cloth or sponge to remove completely. This makes them perfect for temporary signage, seasonal decor, or practicing art techniques without commitment.
Yes, chalk markers blend beautifully when wet. Apply multiple colors close together, spray with water, and use tissue paper or a sponge to blend the edges. The water-based ink creates smooth gradients and color transitions ideal for backgrounds and artistic effects.
For large background paintings and bold drawings, 15mm jumbo tips cover area quickly with vibrant color. For detailed chalk marker drawings, lettering, and fine lines, 6mm reversible tips offer precision. Many artists use both sizes in a single composition for varied effects.
Chalk marker ink typically dries within 30 seconds to 3 minutes depending on layer thickness and humidity. Wet-blending techniques with spray water extend working time. Once fully dry, the drawings are smudge-proof but remain erasable with water for easy cleanup or changes.
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