STENCILING

When stamping, we use a tool—the stamp—to apply paint or ink. When stenciling, however, we use a blunt, short-bristled brush to force the paint through a tool—the stencil. As with stamping techniques, it is always important to clean your stencil immediately to prolong its use.

DRYBRUSH BOUNCING

With a small amount of paint on a short-bristled brush, bounce the brush over the stencil opening, forcing the paint through. You can use this method for both purchased and found, repurposed stencils.

Before throwing away packaging from items you purchase, look at them carefully to see if parts can be used for stencils or stamps. You may be surprised!

LETTERS & NUMBERS

Letter and number stencils are available in many sizes and font styles and can be used in a variety of ways. Using acrylic paint may be most common, but here are a few other ways:

GLUE STICK RESIST Rub the glue thickly into the stencil opening, and let dry. Then rub over the glue with an ink pad or your brush with a light acrylic wash. Blot the surface with a paper towel to remove excess color from the glue.

ACRYLIC MEDIUM OR GEL RESIST Use the bouncing technique to apply the medium through the stencil. Once dry, apply the color wash and blot excess from medium.

MR. CLEAN® MAGIC ERASER® Paint your substrate first and, while still wet, blot the paint through the stencil with the dampened eraser, pressing firmly to remove, or “erase,” the paint.

REPURPOSED ITEMS AS STENCILS

The number of items used for this technique can be limitless. Paper doilies, open-work plastic place mats, produce bags, fruit baskets, drywall tape—anything with an open-work design can be used!

Many of your repurposed stencil materials can also be used as collage material!

PURCHASED STENCILS & PUNCHANELLA

Using a mix of stencils or parts of stencils and punchanella, you can create design and textural effects for your backgrounds. Use the drybrush bouncing technique, color mixing, and repetition of patterns to create visual interest.

Punchanella stencils are made from the material that’s left over when sequins are punched out of a plastic sheet. You can make your own, or they can be purchased at most art-and-craft stores or online.