So Ray and I were in Harvard Square this past Sunday on a gorgeous weekend in Cambridge, and ended up in the middle of Harvard Square Mayfair. A big annual event at MayFair is the Cambridge Rotary Club’s Chalk on the Walk competition. I lamented that yet again I had forgotten to sign up, but Ray noticed there were a few empty squares and encouraged me to go ahead and ask if there were any empties I could use – it wouldn’t hurt, right? I got really lucky – ‘Come back at 1 PM and we’ll see what we can do!’ is what I was told by the organizers. I took the time to think about what I would draw if I got a space. I happened to have my panda messenger bag, and I was walking through the craft vendor booths and I saw some nice designs with strawberries. So a pandaberry seemed in order. I ended up getting a large space (the last one left), so I went for it!
First I sketched out (in black charcoal brick, much cheaper than artist’s charcoal 
) the entire scene…
Then I blocked out the color…
Then added highlights…
Finally, finished it off with a background of bamboo!
It took a little over three hours in total. The kids at the event really liked the little hungry panda a lot!
Some notes for next year:
- A dress is probably not the best attire! (Will the chalk wash out? )
- Hairties are a good idea as well.
- Knee pads or some kind of pad to kneel on would be awesome.
- Sunblock.
There was lots of great chalk art there, take a look in my album if you like! Next year I’d like to do some kind of free software-themed design! What do you think?
Nice! Every road should get decorations like that
Posted by Ted | May 5, 2010, 3:05 amNom nom nom!
Very nice
Posted by Dread Knight | May 5, 2010, 4:21 amNice work Máirín. I wish I was that good. Oh btw you need a tan, you’re very very pale woman
Posted by Scott | May 5, 2010, 4:55 amI don’t tan! It’s either white or red. I am Irish
Posted by mairin | May 5, 2010, 9:25 amSame thing here and I’m not even Irish.
Nice dress anyway
Posted by Jack Straw | May 5, 2010, 12:49 pmI tan too easily, I have some Mexican in my White bloody xD
Posted by Scott | May 5, 2010, 9:48 pmAwesome!
Posted by heathenx | May 5, 2010, 7:31 amCool! Have you seen the 3D pavement art of Edgar Mueller? It’s quite impressive: http://www.metanamorph.com
Posted by Lucas Rocha | May 5, 2010, 7:41 amI have! It might be cool to try something like that next year… if i can figure out how he does it
Posted by mairin | May 5, 2010, 9:25 am“A dress is probably not the best attire!”
Indeed, but it so much sexier…
Joking aside, the artworks are amazing. I like the “glossy shading” you’ve made on your strawberry. I love also the “rowers” and the “Madagascar’s penguins”.
Posted by Stéphane | May 5, 2010, 8:32 amCute! It inspires me to make such charcoal drawing event for kids here…
Posted by andrej | May 5, 2010, 8:16 pmIts very nice! Very well done. It shows amazing skill
Posted by Hussam Al-Tayeb | May 9, 2010, 7:06 amHoly crap that’s awesome!!
Posted by MartyD | May 19, 2010, 7:18 am