The Evangelism Handbook
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3A. Chalk, Chalkboards and Color 
One of the most interesting developments in the realm of color application is with the conventional chalkboard. For years and years, chalkboards were always black and the chalk was always white. So much so that they came to be known as "blackboards," until someone had a bright idea! Why not use a color instead? Black and white are both neutral, what would make them more attractive? Red is attractive but is also identified with anger (seeing red!), danger (stop signs!), and loss (being in the red!). Blue is cold, depressing (the blues!), so that was no good either. Red is at one end of the spectrum and blue at the other, so the one they settled on was "comfortable green" in the middle. Strangely enough they found that green actually relaxed the eyes, so they started making highway signs that color too! The warmth and comforting pastoral hues signal encouragement to go and grow.
Color Experiment
One particular company who marketed a speed-reading course for engineers conducted an experiment with the color of their invoices. The same form was printed in different shades of paper and sent out for payment. The results were surprising. The green ones, as expected, were returned signed, sealed and with a check attached much quicker and in far greater numbers than the others. Yellow gained the most attention, blue ones were largely unsigned with no deposit, and the pink ones were virtually ignored! Yellow is an exciting color. Scientists tell us that it stimulates the fovea of the eye, particularly when contrasted with the pleasant hues of green. Yellow chalk therefore is the perfect partner for our new green chalkboards.
Chalkboard Helps
For any kind of children's work the chalkboard is especially useful for quizzes and rub-out memory verses. With adults it is handy for recording comments in group sessions or in listing major points in presentations. It is therefore a good investment for any church to buy or better still make a number of chalkboards, some fixed on walls and others portable. Many small groups working around a table might prefer a table stand for their visuals. Yellow chalk is obtainable in the dust free type as are other colors too. Chalkboard paint in green is available from most large paint stores, and don't forget to round off the corners. Finally, felt cleaners which hold the dust are available for cleaning the board after use. An interesting variation on chalkboard is a type of pastel work currently popular with some open-air workers. Beautifully ornate drawings with a myriad of colors are etched to make the Gospel message alive.
Chalkboard Art
I will always recall a much loved and quietly eccentric history master at my grammar school in Birkenhead, Cheshire. Mr. Williamson was deeply in love with his subject. Though he had been retired and brought back a number of times, he still took the pains during the morning and afternoon breaks when his colleagues were drinking their cups of tea to sketch out a panoramic scene on the class board in a multiplicity of colors. His "Battle of Waterloo" was breathtakingly action packed, his "Charge of the Light Brigade" electrifying! Yet all he used was a blackboard, some chalk and a lot of loving care. Old Mr. Williamson, or as we boys affectionately nicknamed him, "Willy Woo," had a passionate concern to share the love of his life, which was his history. Christians have much to learn from the likes of him.
"Practical Christian Outreach in the Local Church"
