SQUARE 1 ART ARTWORK INSTRUCTIONS

How to prepare your artwork for Square 1 Art:

Please follow these guidelines when creating artwork to be submitted to Square 1 Art. Your artwork must be received by Wendy Miller no later than September 24th. You can also turn in your artwork at the CMC Children’s Craft Event at the Chelmsford Main Library on September 19 from 11am – 1pm or the CMC General meeting on September 17. You will receive a free magnet proof and order form after October 8.

1. Paper. Use only 8 ½ inch square drawing paper. Use the paper provided from Square 1 Art or your own high-quality 8 ½ inch square white paper.
2. Art themes. Select a theme that is simple and colorful. Colorful is the key to success. (Hand and foot prints are a great idea, especially for young children). For best results, DO color all the way to the edges of the paper, but don’t let important parts of the picture, words or signature, touch the edges (allow ¼ inch around the edges for possible trimming).
3. Art Mediums. Use colorful markers, crayons, oil crayons or tempura paint. Collage is acceptable if only paper is used (no 3-dimensional materials such as beans, glitter, etc.). Primary and secondary colors work best. Pastels are OK, but make sure the color is applied well. For self-portrait facial tones, use high quality markers or tempura paint. Lightly colored flesh tones are difficult to reproduce and tend to wash out.

4. No-Nos. For best results, please follow these guidelines:

• Don’t allow artist signatures, words or specials parts of the picture to touch the edges of the paper (it may be trimmed during processing).

• Don’t trace or copy trademarked cartoons or artwork.
• Don’t use metallic, fluorescent colors, neon colors, glitter or foil mediums. They scan gray!
• Don’t use light watercolor washes. Watercolors can be used, but with greater intensity.
• Never apply identification labels to the front of the artwork.
• Don’t use paper that has been drawn or painted on the backside.
• Don’t use chalk or pastel chalks. Avoid light colored pencils.

5. Borders. If you want a border around the artwork, make sure it is ½ inch wide.
6. Finishing up. Erase all pencil lines, unwanted marks, and smudges before submitting the art. Have your child sign (and/or date) the front of the artwork, or sign for him/her, but leave a ¼ inch space around the edges. (For best results, have children write on the bottom left side of the paper, ½ inch from the edge).
7. Identification labels. Please attach a white label (such as a mailing address label, or the labels supplied by Square 1 Art) to the BACK of the child’s artwork (don’t write on the back of the artwork with a pen.) Include YOUR first and last name, phone number, and Chelmsford Mother’s Club on the label. Use an arrow (drawn lightly in pencil on the back of the artwork or on the label) to indicate the top. If you received a Square 1 Art label, complete and attach it to the BACK of the artwork with arrow pointing to the top of the page.
    

Back to Project Description