Tempera Paint as a Base for Chalk Art

If you’ve ever wondered how professional street chalk artists get such deep blacks and ultra-vibrant colors on rough pavement, the answer is often simple:

Tempera paint.

Using a tempera base layer is one of the most effective techniques for transforming ordinary concrete into a high-performance chalk surface especially for large-scale pieces seen at chalk festivals.

Let’s break down how it works and why it’s such a game changer...

For any 2d piece, the tempera base is applied as a clean square or rectangle, essentially creating a giant black “canvas” on the ground. At festivals, you’ll often see rows of painted black squares before artists begin... Most festivals require pieces that are 10'x10' or 12'x12' and want them all to be the same size. Those black squares aren’t just for aesthetics, they’re functional surfaces prepared specifically for chalk.

With careful planning, you can also use tempera paint on organic shapes for 3d chalk art, round 2d art, and much more.

Example of an organic shape

What Is Tempera Paint?

Tempera paint is a water-based, washable paint- the same kind commonly used in elementary schools because it washes out of clothing easily.

For chalk artists, that washability is crucial. It provides:

• Strong initial coverage

• Excellent chalk adhesion

• Easy removal with water and pressure washing

It gives us the performance of a painted surface without the permanence of acrylic or latex paint.

What Does Chalk Look Like on a Tempera Base?

The colors become richer. The highlights pop. Dark shadows actually look dark. You get a level of depth and contrast that bare concrete simply can’t provide.

Why Use a Tempera Base?

Here are the major benefits:

1. It Creates “Tooth” (Texture)

Concrete varies wildly in texture. Some surfaces are slick, worn down, or sealed- and they can actually repel chalk.

A tempera layer creates a slight surface texture (called “tooth”) that gives chalk something to grip onto. This makes blending easier and allows for richer color saturation.

2. It Provides a Solid, Even Background

Bare pavement is usually:

• Speckled

• Stained

• Discolored

• Different shades across the surface

A tempera base creates a uniform background color, which allows you to control contrast intentionally.

A black base is especially powerful because it:

• Makes bright colors more vibrant

• Enhances highlights

• Creates dramatic depth

It essentially turns the street into a giant chalkboard.

3. It Helps the Chalk Last Longer

Older pavement can be extremely porous, meaning it absorbs chalk unevenly.

Other surfaces are so worn they resist chalk entirely.

Tempera paint acts as a middle layer that normalizes the surface. The chalk adheres better, blends better, and holds detail longer, which is especially important for:

• Multi-day festivals

• High-foot-traffic areas

• Detailed 3D illusions

• Client commissions

Guaranteed Removal: Add Dish Soap

I mix my tempera paint with a small amount of Dawn dish soap because it makes cleanup significantly easier. The soap helps break down the paint when it’s time for removal, especially during pressure washing. It’s a simple trick that makes a big difference, particularly here in Southern California where we don’t get much rain to naturally wash artwork away!

Removal & Cleanup

Tempera is washable, but that doesn’t mean it disappears overnight.

In dry climates like SoCal:

• Without pressure washing, the base can take a long time to deteriorate.

• A pressure washer is highly recommended for efficient cleanup.

• Most large events plan for water access or a third party vendor (like someone who specialized in pressure washing) specifically for this reason.

When properly removed, the surface returns to normal without permanent alteration... Like it never even happened!

When Should You Use a Tempera Base?

A tempera base is ideal when:

• You’re creating a large-scale piece (8’ x 8’ or larger)

• The pavement is worn or inconsistent

• You want bold color impact

• You’re working for a client who expects high visual quality

• You’re creating 3D or illusion-based artwork

For small sidewalk pieces, it may not be necessary. But for professional installations? It’s one of the best tools in the chalk artist’s toolkit.

If you're interested in commissioning large-scale chalk art in San Diego or want to learn more about the process behind festival street murals, feel free to reach out.

Chalk may be temporary - but the impact doesn’t have to be!