Easter Chalkboard Art and Free Bunny Printable that looks 3 Dimensional
Post Updated: 02/20/2020
It still feels like Winter and I think the Easter Bunny is still hibernating. I am trying not to let the winter-like temps bother me, but Easter is not Easter without a bunny. To remedy this, I created a cousin for the Easter bunny. One that will stay warm and enjoy Easter brunch with my family and I on Sunday. Brunch is going to be pot luck style so I don’t have a lot of prep work to do. I do however always like to make my dining room holiday-ready and created an Easter chalkboard art in 3D.
At Christmas time, I placed a tall chalkboard in between the windows in my dining room. After I erased the Christmas image I had drawn on it, I hung a boxwood wreath over the board using a thumbtack and fishing line to add some interest. I left it like that until earlier this week when I added a Happy Easter message.
My original plan was to draw a rabbit face on the chalkboard in the center of the wreath. When I did so, it looked too small. I liked the idea of a rabbit in the wreath and had to think awhile to come up with a new plan.
When I started thinking of a new plan for the chalkboard, a synapse fired and the idea of making a 3D rabbit came to me. A rabbit drawn with chalk on black card stock so he would look like he was still part of the chalkboard, but also look like he is about to hop out of the wreath.
I hand sketched the Happy Easter lettering simply by line drawing a basic letter and then adding a downstroke of chalk to each.
I then filled in the areas between the downstrokes to create the thick letters.
- To learn more on how to do this, check out this post I wrote on hand lettering.
How to Make 3D Chalkboard Art Using an Easter Bunny Sketch
supplies needed:
- rabbit sketch or photo
- black card stock
- white chalk
- pencil
- scissors
- rag
- Optional: ribbon for bow tie and a hot glue gun/glue stick
- I used my tablet to find an image of a rabbit to use on my chalkboard. Google and Pinterest have many free printable rabbit images for you to use. There are many to choose from.
Another good place to find images to trace for chalkboard art are children’s books, especially coloring books. They have large simple black and white line drawings that are perfect for transferring to a chalkboard. The Dollar Store is a great resource for these.
The rabbit in this image had the perspective of a rabbit that I was looking for with his front paws out in front so he could sit inside the wreath. I liked it, but I was looking for a more sophisticated sketch of a rabbit.
I found this. Credit goes to the artist, Halpenske. That was all the info I could find about them and that they traced this image from a photograph. I enlarged the image and printed it using my computer printer.
I didn’t want to copy every part of the image, I only wanted to use it as a guide. I wanted less detail in the rabbit and drew over the printed image to simplify it a little. I darkened the areas I wanted to use and made the two front legs longer so I would be able to sit the rabbit in the wreath.
How to Transfer Bunny Drawing to a Chalkboard
- I seasoned a piece of 8 1/2″ x 11″ black card stock with white chalk. This makes the paper look more like a real chalkboard. Simply rub the side of a piece of chalk over the entire piece of paper, then blur it by rubbing over with a soft dry cloth.
2. To transfer the image to the black card stock, turn the image face down and rub the back of the paper the image is on with chalk. Use the side of the chalk to make large broad strokes. Go over the paper a few times to make sure you get enough chalk on it.
3. Flip the drawing over and lay it on the black card stock. Draw over the image with a pencil. Press hard as you draw over the lines, but not too hard as you don’t want to make an impression in the paper.
4. Once you have drawn over all the lines, turn the paper over to reveal the transferred image.
5. Cut out with a pair of scissors. Cut along the inside line of each leg a few inches so that once the rabbit is in the wreath you can bring the legs out to the front.
6. Every bunny needs a little Easter finery on Easter. I tied an 8″ piece of ribbon into a bow and hot glued it under his face. Now he is ready for Easter Brunch.
7. Place the bunny into the wreath and pull his front legs out and over the front of the wreath so he looks like he is about to hop out.
Happy Easter
If you would like to know more about drawing and writing on chalkboards, I have a few posts where I share more tips:
How to Draw on A Chalkboard Like an Artist
Monogram Wreath Chalkboard Cabinet
Need a last minute Easter Table Setting Idea?
These bunny napkin rings can be made in minutes.
Lola says
Lovely ideas! I’ll keep it for next Easter! :)
Felt Ball Rug says
Talk about designs that pop! This idea is so creative and cute. I’m sure it made for a wonderful Easter accent :)
Sheryll & Critters. says
Oh gosh, I read too late. I adore this bunny wreath so much…….. and although my pc is dying…… I can still copy the bunny image and do it next year. I still have the parts for the cute bunny wreath using the plastic clothes hanger for it’s ears….. I so loved that one and used it at least two, okay, maybe 3 years. And plan to revive it again, yep. And your bunny place cards. I love those more than I can say., they are forever keepsakes to me.
I plan to make the chalkboard bunny inside to the outside wreath with black posterboard…. have not yet…… I am more than a tadge behind the season and all such.
Stephanie @ Casa Watkins says
OMGosh! I love this idea. I have not seen an idea for a 3D chalkboard art rendition. Great idea and post. Thanks for sharing.
Diane Henkler says
Hi Stephanie – Thanks so much. Ed uses the dining room as his office and told me this morning that he thinks I need to keep the bunny in the wreath, even though Easter is over. He likes it. It will be hard when I need to take him down to update the board for summer.
Stephanie @ Casa Watkins says
:) I’m with Ed. I’d keep it up longer. Its just so cute.
Kay says
Diane, you should be a school teacher. You’d be the best. Your directions are explicit and so easy to follow. I also love your tips and the suggestions you publish at the end of articles that offer more learning material. Happy Easter to you and yours.
Diane Henkler says
Thank you so much Kay. It means so much to me to know that what I write about and how I write it inspires you. I did do some teaching back in the early 90’s. I enjoyed it, but then we moved and there wasn’t another opportunity to do it. I am so happy that blogging came along. It is the best job I have ever had. XO
Lynne says
Oh how sweet ~ this little bunny is SO creative and cute! I love your tutorials – they are easy to understand and follow; it always helps me feel like I can do the project. Happy Easter!
Pat says
Your Chalkboard turned out amazing….♥
Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. says
Oh what a cute chalkboard Diane! Love that 3D bunny popping through the wreath. Hope you have a wonderful Easter!
Diane Henkler says
Thanks Sharon – A very happy Easter to you, too.
Dorene @ Seasonal Chapters says
This is such a creative idea! I love the 3D chalkboard look! Happy Easter.
Ginny Howard says
Brilliant!
Beverly Hayes says
Did you spray the cardstock to keep the chalk from smudging? Such a cute idea!
Diane Henkler says
Hi Beverly – I didn’t have spray fixative (buy at craft store) or hair spray (prevents chalk from smearing) on hand, but it would be a good thing to do if you plan to keep the bunny for a long time. Happy Easter
Jeanmarie says
This is super cute. You are so creative. I look forward to your posts…they are very inspiring! Happy Easter!