Street painting recorded since early Street painting has been recorded throughout Europe since the 16th century. Street painters in Italy e called madonnari (pronounced: mah-doan-are-ee with madonnaro being the singular form) because they often created pictures representing the Madonna.



In 1972 the first International Street Painting Competition was held in Grazie di Curtatone, Italy. In 1972 the first International Street Painting Competition was held in Grazie di Curtatone, Italy. This recognition caused a whole new generation of street painters to emerge.

Street Painting Guide

- Step 1: Select the image you'll be re-creating with chalk. Selecting a photograph is also popular.

- Step 2: Make color photocopies of the painting you'll be re-creating. Several copies will be needed, especially if more than one artist will be working on the piece.

- Step 3: Draw a grid over the photocopies using a ruler and thin marker. Measure carefully so that all photocopies are gridded identically.

- Step 4: Label the graphed columns on your photocopies horizontally with alphabetical letters and vertically with numbers.

- Step 5: Mount photocopies on cardboard to make them easier to work with.

Street Painting Introduction

- Step 1: Use your photocopy and grids to guide you as you chalk out a rough outline of the complete image you are painting on the pavement - just enough to map out the image and get the proportions correct.

- Step 2: Start from the top of the painting area and begin painting the image with the colored chalk.

- Step 3: Lay a foundation of color using your fingers in small areas and a chalkboard eraser for larger areas. - Step 4: Fill in the details of the image using various shades of colored chalk. Continue to blend colors to gain the right effect. Leave some chalk color unblended on the surface of the pavement to bring out colors, highlights and details.

- Step 5: Work your way down the area of your painting.

- Step 6: Remove the masking tape to reveal clean, crisp outlines.