OK. Here's a tutorial on how to make an actual-size wedge from the graphic I'll provide. The most cost-effective way to do this with the most appealing results is the grid enlargement technique
(demonstrated here in case you're not familiar with it), as it would be expensive to have an image printed out professionally at such a large size (unless that's what you'd prefer to do). I've done several projects with the grid technique as a kid, so if you have any questions, just ask me.
You will need...
- A standard sheet of posterboard (22" x 28") or foamboard (20" x 30"). It can either be white or light blue (or any other color you think might fit well as a background). There are certain types of posterboard you might be able to find at an office supply store called "grid board" premade with light grid marks, so if you can find it at the standard 22x28 size, go for it.
- Sharp pencil
- Eraser (Not just the one on the pencil. You will have a lot of erasing to do if you're not using grid board.)
- Yardstick or T-square ruler
- Permanent marker(s) (given the thin cables on the bridge, I'd recommend a red marker for the bridge cables and black for everything else, maybe even a blue one for the water if you wish)
- Acrylic paint (strongly recommended if your posterboard/foamboard is colored) or colored markers (only if your posterboard/foamboard is white, but you can also use paint). If you use markers on a colored board, the ink will blend with the color, so if you try to use red marker on blue posterboard, it will appear slightly purple. Paint will make the colors stand out much better if you're not using a white board for a base.
- Scissors (for posterboard) or a blade/X-acto knife (for foamboard)
- OPTIONAL: Letter stickers for "SAN FRANCISCO" if you can find a good color and style that fits the wedge. You don't have to use the lettering on my graphic if you don't want to. You can also write the letters in yourself if you like.
You can get all this stuff at a craft store such as A.C. Moore or Michaels...
1. Print out this image at 100% size (not stretched to fit the paper size). This has the wedge at 1/6-scale of an actual wedge. This is not the exact design the show uses, but it's simple enough to recreate.
2. On your board, make a grid of 4x10 squares the long way with each square measuring exactly 3x3 inches. If you're using a standard posterboard, the last row of squares is going to be about 2/3 cut-off, and that's OK because the 28" length of the board is exactly the height we need for the wedge. If you're using foamboard, the 10-square columns will take up the entire 30" length of the board. If you have room, label the squares with numbers and letters as seen above. Use a pencil and yardstick to make marks every 3 inches along each edge of the board (until you have 12" x 30", since that's what our enlarged grid will be), then use the yardstick as a straightedge to connect those marks to make an even grid with perfectly parallel lines. You don't want any slanted lines in your grid, which is pretty much bound to happen if you try to draw the lines freehand.
If you're using grid board, the premade grid squares are typically 1/2" on each side, so using a pencil, make a small dot after every 6 squares (if they are 1/2". If not, whatever 3 divided by the length is) both ways so that you have a "dot grid" with each formed square being 6x6 grid board squares (3x3"),
like this.
3. Use your printout of the small grid to draw a larger copy of the wedge in your large grid in pencil. Going square by square, draw whatever is in that square on the small grid inside the corresponding square on the large grid. Only worry about edges, as coloring will be done later. Don't forget to draw the wedge outlines, as that's very important for when you cut it out.
Again, if you prefer to do the lettering yourself, or if you found fitting letter stickers, you can skip the "SAN FRANCISCO" letters at the top.
4. When you are done drawing your edges, take a permanent marker and carefully trace around all of the edges. When tracing the wedge outline, try to draw that a little outside (rather than on the line) so that when you cut out the wedge, you don't get any traces of drawn outline on the border.
5. Get an eraser and cleanly erase all pencil grid marks within the wedge shape. Since you have just preserved your drawing with permanent marker, it will be left untouched.
6. Color the bridge, rock, water, and mountains as seen on the original graphic, or put your own spin on it. If your board is white, color the sky. I left everything else in the graphic white so that you can use whatever colors you want and to save ink when you print it. Feel free to improvise by adding clouds, sun, or birds. If you chose to draw the lettering, use a color that really stands out from the rest of the wedge. Try using a color that doesn't appear anywhere else, like purple.
If your board is already colored, use paint to color everything. While it is messier, it will come out much better, as marker will blend in with the board's color. You can use marker if your board is white, but make sure they don't run out of ink. You'll probably end up using a lot of sky blue for the background and water.
7. When the board is dry, cut out the wedge. If it's posterboard, you can use scissors, but if it's foamboard, use a blade, X-acto knife, or box cutter instead. Try to cut just inside the wedge's border that you drew, as you don't want any black marks to show along the edges. Finally, carefully add the letter stickers if you choose to use them, or your own handmade lettering.
Then, you're done! You now have a San Francisco wedge measuring 12" x 28".
I hope this isn't a blow to you. If you get the gist of it, let me know and I'll post a similar tutorial for Express. Good luck making your wedge! Maybe you can show us pictures of your progress.
