3D Chalk Art and Street Paintings by Chris Carlson
3D chalk art is a great way to create excitement and drive audience interaction for any event. Chris Carlson is a professional chalk artist and street painter based in Denver, Colorado. Chris travels all around the country creating incredible sidewalk art. His artwork is designed so that when you take a photo from one specific viewing point the 3D painting appears to jump off the wall or floor. This means that you can pose “inside” the street painting and appear to be a part of the scene. People will pose for photos with this amazing artwork and share those photos on social media, expanding your brand’s reach. Whether you are looking for a professional chalk artist in Denver or anywhere in the world, Chris can deliver the excitement and audience engagement to take your project to the next level.
Contact Chris now for a free quote
Click here to see more 3D chalk art
Click here to learn about 3D murals
What is 3D Chalk Art?
3D chalk art is an optical illusion created by drawing a stretched and distorted image in just the right way so that when viewed from a specific location the artwork appears to be three dimensional. This type of artwork uses anamorphic perspective to achieve the illusion of depth. These drawings are usually created directly on the ground, but 3D artwork can also be created on walls using the same techniques. 3D chalk art looks best when viewed from one specific viewing point and usually through a camera. A camera helps enhance the 3D illusion because it only has one “eye” and therefore lacks true depth perception. When viewed from the wrong angle the artwork will appear stretched and distorted. Below you can see an example of a 3D street painting photographed from the correct viewing point and then from the side to show the distortion.
Kurt Wenner is credited with inventing 3D pavement art in 1984. Since then, artist like Julian Beever, Tracy Lee Stum and David Zinn have helped propel the art form to new heights. With the increasing popularity of chalk art you may be able to find a street art festival in a city near you!
Chris Can Create Street Art With Different Levels Of Permanence
This is accomplished by selecting the proper materials for each individual project. If you need sidewalk art that can be quickly washed away, pastel chalk may be the best choice. If you want street art that can be walked on for photos, tempera paint could be the right option. This type of paint dries with a beautiful color, but can also be washed away easily with a pressure sprayer. Finally, if you need artwork with maximum lifespan, latex and acrylic paints can provide excellent durability against weather and foot traffic.
The artwork can be painted directly on the street, sidewalk or a movable surface like vinyl or felt paper. No matter what your needs may be, Chris can put together the perfect 3D street art design to engage your audience.
Chris Can Work With You To Create a Custom Design
This process begins with a brainstorming session where you share any ideas you may have for the artwork. Then Chris begins a round of digital sketching to make sure that you are thrilled with your design. Next, he refines the design and adds color and detail. On site, your audience can watch the whole process as he goes from a simple outline to a full color 3D chalk drawing!
Meet the Artist
Chris Carlson is a professional 3D chalk artist and mural painter based in Denver, Colorado and available for hire anywhere in the world. Chris has 12 years of experience as a professional artist. His art career began after posting a time lapse video of his artwork on YouTube. The video went viral and Chris started receiving inquiries about working as a 3D chalk artist for events and promotions.
Chris has traveled all over the country creating artwork in front of thousands of people. In this time he has developed his own unique style. He has worked as a chalk artist for national advertising campaigns with Fortune 500 companies. His work has been featured in 3D illusion museums throughout the U.S. and Mexico. He has also won multiple “Best 3-D” awards at sidewalk chalk art competitions around the country. Chris continues to push his limits and the art form to new levels.