SHOP WHAT YOU NEED

Explore the products below to collect everything you need for this project

NEW Liquitex Marker - Bright Pink LQX MARKER BRIGHT PINK [DIGITAL SWATCH] Liquitex Marker - Bright Pink LQX MARKER BRIGHT PINK [DIGITAL SWATCH]
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Liquitex Marker
Bright Pink $3.99 USD Choose options
NEW Liquitex Marker - Yellow LQX MARKER YELLOW [DIGITAL SWATCH] Liquitex Marker - Yellow LQX MARKER YELLOW [DIGITAL SWATCH]
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Yellow $3.99 USD Choose options
NEW Liquitex Marker - Light Blue LQX MARKER LIGHT BLUE [DIGITAL SWATCH] Liquitex Marker - Light Blue LQX MARKER LIGHT BLUE [DIGITAL SWATCH]
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Light Blue $3.99 USD Choose options
NEW Liquitex Marker - Dark Blue LQX MARKER DARK BLUE [DIGITAL SWATCH] Liquitex Marker - Dark Blue LQX MARKER DARK BLUE [DIGITAL SWATCH]
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Dark Blue $3.99 USD Choose options
NEW Liquitex Marker - Metallic Purple LQX MARKER METALLIC PURPLE [DIGITAL SWATCH] Liquitex Marker - Metallic Purple LQX MARKER METALLIC PURPLE [DIGITAL SWATCH]
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Liquitex Marker
Metallic Purple $3.99 USD
NEW Liquitex Marker - White LQX MARKER WHITE [DIGITAL SWATCH] Liquitex Marker - White LQX MARKER WHITE [DIGITAL SWATCH]
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Liquitex Marker
White $3.99 USD Choose options
NEW Liquitex Marker - Black LQX MARKER BLACK [DIGITAL SWATCH] Liquitex Marker - Black LQX MARKER BLACK [DIGITAL SWATCH]
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Black $3.99 USD Choose options

STEP 1

PREP YOUR DESIGN

For this project, we’ll focus on the typographic balloon design.

Start by printing out reference of fonts and lettering that appeal to you, or relate to the message you’re presenting. Balloons are fun by their very nature, so finding fonts that convey a sense of happiness and celebration are ideal.

Take a pencil and practice sketching out your saying on a sheet of paper. In this example, we’ve chosen a bubble-like font. Drawing fat, curvy letters that mimic the shape of the balloon work well for the design.

STEP 2

DRAW THE LETTERS

Inflate your balloon to the desired size and stabilize it on your work surface by wrapping the bottom with a rolled up towel. This will help to keep it centered and prevent it from rolling when using the markers.

Use a marker of your choice as the primary color. Shake the closed marker to distribute the paint, take off the cap, and depress the nib 2–3 times to saturate before using.

Decide where on the balloon your design will be placed. Using your reference sketch, roughly outline the letters before filling them in with the marker.

Before moving on to the next step, it’s helpful to understand where your light source is coming in relation to your letters. A quick sketch will show how the position of the light cast a shadow in the opposite direction.

STEP 3

ADD DETAILS

Use a Black marker for shadows, and a White marker to draw in highlights. These add contrast, depth and dimension to your letters.

Feel free to embellish your design with other elements – like squiggles, stars, dots, confetti marks – in different colors that will add to the fun and whimsy.

For an alternate design, consider drawing an animal character.

Prep the same way as before: print out reference, inflate and stabilize the balloon, and roughly sketch out your design.

Outline the features of the face on the balloon, starting with the eyes (to establish the character’s personality). Proceed to fill in its eyes, nose and mouth.

Add spots, stripes, scales, etc. in different colors, then outline features in Black to define the design and make it pop.

Whether you’re creating bold bubble letters, elegant script messages, or whimsical animal faces, using Liquitex Acrylic Markers in your design can turn a plain balloon into a one-of-a-kind piece of party art for
any celebration.