TECHNIQUE

Stencils and Masks

Cut simple, symmetrical paper masks or use handmade hot glue stencils to create subtractive areas on the Plexiglas plate.

Creative Toolbox

paper stencils

scissors

11" × 14" (28cm × 36cm) Plexiglas sheet

soft rubber brayer

cardstock

recycled sketch paper

spray bottle of water

STEP 1: Symmetrical Stencils

Fold a piece of paper in half and cut out half a stencil shape. Place the stencils over a rolled-out paint surface as seen on page 81.

STEP 2: Transfer Print

Place a piece of paper over the stencils and burnish the back with a clean, soft rubber brayer. Also use your hands to press around the stencil shapes to assure that the paint transfers to the paper.

STEP 3: Pull Print

Carefully pull the paper up from a corner to check if the paint transferred. If you are satisfied with the outcome, pull the paper off the plate.

STEP 4: First Print

This is the first stencil resist print. Notice most of the paint has transferred to the paper.

STEP 5: Remove Stencils

Take the paper stencils off of the plate and set them aside. If they have a lot of paint on them, place them onto another piece of paper and use a brayer to roll over the back of the stencil to transfer the paint. Once the stencils are dry, they can be used again or added as a collage element in a painting.

STEP 6: Print Two

Place another piece of paper onto the painted plate and carefully peel from one corner of the plate to reveal the print.

STEP 7: Outline Print

Here is the second print pulled from the plate, which shows the outline of the original stencils and is slightly different from the first impression.

STEP 8: Ghost Print

While there is still a little wet paint on the plate, spray it with a water bottle, then place another paper and pull a print.