How to Incorporate Stencil Letter Cut Outs Into Paper Mache Art Stencil Letters

The art of stenciling to decorate walls, article of furniture, fabrics and decorative dwelling house accessories has been around for years.  And in today's artistic world at that place are literally hundreds and hundreds of stencil designs bachelor to you!  Basically, a stencil is a sparse canvas of cloth such as paper, plastic, metal, mylar or vinyl that designs or letters are cut from and then used to replicate art when pigment is transferred through the opening.  Let me to share with yous some "How-To Basics" of stenciling.

Let's offset with the surface nosotros desire to decorate…

What types of surfaces tin can I stencil on and how should I prepare these surfaces?

• Wood: Sand shine with fine grit sandpaper then remove sawdust with clammy newspaper towel or tack cloth.
• Tin/Metal: Wash with warm soapy water; allow to dry.  Wipe surface with white vinegar damped textile or newspaper towel and permit to dry.
• Newspaper Mache: Wipe clean with a damp cloth or paper towel to remove grit.
• Glass/Ceramics: Thoroughly launder with warm soapy water, allow to dry.  Wipe surface with rubbing alcohol damped cloth or paper towel.
• Canvass: Wipe primed sheet clean with dampened cloth to remove dust.  If unprimed, apply a coat or two with gesso assuasive each awarding to thoroughly dry earlier adding the second.
• Terra Cotta: Wipe surface clean with dampened cloth or paper towel.  Seal interior of terra cotta blossom pot with clear acrylic sealer.
• Fabric: Thoroughly wash cloth in warm soapy water to remove manufacturers sizing.  Do not use dryer sheet or fabric softener.  Allow to dry; if needed iron to remove wrinkles without using spray starch.

____

What type or kind of stencil is the best?

• Mylar or Plastic or Polystyrene:These materials are what well-nigh set-made stencils on the market are manufactured from.  Mylar is easy to use, piece of cake to keep make clean and can be reused many times.
• Pare n Stick or Vinyl: This stencil material is also  on the marketplace today with many creative designs available.  A Skin northward Stick vinyl-type stencil can be used on most any type of surface, all the same, information technology is PERFECT when stenciling on glassware or ceramics as they "cling" to the surface specially if the surface is dimensional and has curves.
• Paper or Cardstock: A paper or cardstock stencil is usually one that is used merely a couple times every bit it becomes more frail with extended uses.  Pigment may build up on the stencil making it difficult to use and the moisture from a heavy paint build upwards may allow the stencil to buckle or wave.  To forestall this and extend the life of a paper stencil, before using it the first time, spray seal both sides of the stencil with clear acrylic sealer.
• Metal: If you locate a metal stencil, often it volition be a contumely stencil offer both pattern elements as well as lettering.  These stencils tin be used for embossing, theorem painting, or setting type to create signs.
• Cutting your ain blanks: In addition to all the pre-made stencil designs available, you lot will also find "stencil blanks" which offer the creative individual an opportunity to design a personal ane-of-a-kind stencil by cutting their ain design.  Stencils can be cut using a craft knife, very sharp fine betoken scissors or a stencil burning tool.  Y'all can likewise investigate using a cutting motorcar often used in scrapbooking

____

What type of tools do I need to stencil?

• Brush: Stencil brushes are manufactured in a wide variety of sizes to friction match the project whether you are stenciling a notation carte or a large wall surface.  Stencil brushes are usually round and made of good natural bristles; they are firm, still flexible (or allow movement) and spring back to their original shape.  Stencil brush handles will vary in size, weight and length.  Experiment and notice the one that is perfect for your stenciling needs.
• Dauber: A dauber is an awesome tool to utilize when stenciling small quick projects.  It is a small wood dowel with a circular sponge attached at i end usually found available in two sizes: 1/four" and 5/8".  When using a dauber to stencil, you tin achieve a soft fifty-fifty application of paint.
• Spouncer: When stenciling with a spouncer, the painted design volition appear heavier with color.  A spouncer is a circular foam sponge attached to a wood handle available in several sizes.  It is best to load the spouncer and "off-load" the paint before stenciling to achieve a more than fifty-fifty paint transfer.
• Sponge: Stenciling with a sponge is also fun and will give y'all an alternative look.  Endeavour experimenting with corrective sponges that are dense, household cellulose sponges, and sea sponges that are very loose and contain many open up cells. Each blazon of sponge will produce a slightly different outcome.
• Roller: Using a sponge paint roller to stencil is helpful if y'all are trying to stencil a large area in a quick amount of fourth dimension such equally walls or floors.  The key is to "off-load" the paint applied to the roller and to have the stencil securely placed against the surface to reduce paint "run under".
• Palette Knife: Stenciling with a palette knife is a lot of fun.  Load the palette knife with thick paste or texture paint and so "water ice" over the stencil opening being careful non to over stroke.  Advisedly lift the stencil to reveal a raised pattern.  Allow to dry.
• Stencil Tape: To securely hold stencils in place while stenciling use stencil tape which is a low-tack tape that volition not damage the crafting surface.
• Stencil Adhesives: To hold a stencil in place while in utilise, some crafters use stencil adhesives which are manufactured as a spray or brush on.  Stencil adhesives are applied to the behind of the stencil and then allowed to dry tacky.  In one case applied to the stencil surface, the stencil will remain in place and not shift.  Refer to the manufacturer's label as some adhesives can exist cleaned from the dorsum of the stencil while others are more permanent.

____

What kind of paint is the best to use when stenciling?

• Acrylic Craft Paints: Available in 2 oz bottles, acrylic craft paints are more probable the most frequently used type of paint when stenciling.  The beauty of using acrylic craft paint is the wide color palette to choose from, paints blend well when shading, works well on about surfaces, and easy clean up with soap and water.
• Stencil Cremes: One blazon of stencil pigment, stencil crèmes take been on the market for years.  Stencil crèmes are oil-based paints in a wax medium which provide the stenciler a no-drip, no run-under mess.   When working with stencil crèmes, you must first remove the thin wax layer from the surface of the paint before loading your brush with color.  Stencil crèmes alloy together beautifully offering the crafter a softer, paw-painted experience.
• Chalk Paints: Used more on home décor DIY projects, chalk paint allows the do-it-yourself enthusiast the opportunity to paint, distress, stencil and mayhap distress the stenciling using just 1 paint while decorating a piece of furniture.

____

What is the all-time technique to utilise when loading my stenciling tool with paint?

Most stenciling is completed using a "dry out-brush technique" where you lot load paint onto your stenciling tool evenly across the entire surface and so remove or "off-load" pigment creating a dry out brush with color.  If you were to stencil immediately after loading the stenciling tool, your stenciled design will exist heavy and you may create pigment drips or run under mess where the paint may bleed nether the stencil pattern.  Should that happen, quickly make clean upwards both the stencil blueprint likewise every bit the back of the stencil.

____

What is the all-time way to stencil?

Like most crafting techniques learned, stenciling too tin can be persuaded by personal preference.

Circular Motion: Many stenciling purists prefer the "circular movement" technique when the stencil brush is held directly direct up at a xc˚ angle to the surface and the brush is then moved lightly in a circular movement clockwise then counter-clockwise around the stencil pattern beginning at the edges of the stencil.

Stippling Move: Another technique often used when stenciling especially when using daubers, spouncers, sponges and sometimes with brushes is a stippling or dabbing up and down move.  Merely pounce or dab your stencil tool straight up and down over the stencil.

____

How many different pigment techniques are at that place when stenciling?

Opaque: As the give-and-take implies, to stencil opaquely is to create a solid colour transfer with no highlighting or shading.

Highlighting/Shading: To blend more than 1 color on a design element would be an example of a highlighted or shaded stencil design.  Usually the lighter color is stenciled first calculation a darker colour over the lighter color where deeper values are desired.  Or as shown to a higher place, you tin can likewise stencil with just one color and create highlights and shading.

Flyspeck/Splatter Painting: For a completely different blazon of stencil technique, use a stencil as a mask, tape in identify then flyspeck or splatter pigment using a splattering tool, a stencil brush, or an erstwhile toothbrush loaded with thinned paint.  Be sure to cover areas non to be splatter painted.

Dot Work: Similar to flyspeck/splatter painting, dot work can be achieved using a stencil too.  Paint dots within the stencil opening, overlapping the dot work closer to the stencil edges to define the stencil design.

Sponged: Using a moist household cellulose or sea sponge loaded with paint will provide you with a completely unlike await than when using a castor, dauber or spouncer as seen to a higher place.

Stencil Roller: Every bit mentioned before, stenciling large areas like walls and floors with an opaque look is easily accomplished when you utilise a roller.

Blended Stencil Cremes: A soft composite feel is easy to accomplish when stenciling with Stencil Cremes as y'all see above.  The entire center was stenciled xanthous first and then red was added over the yellow but effectually the heart edges.  The two colors blended well to create a soft orange/ruddy.

Gilding Sheets: For a more elegant consequence, stencils tin can be used with gilding agglutinative or gilt leaf sizing and metal leafing.  Read and follow the manufacturer'southward instructions for sizing and leaf application. (Copper gilding on turquoise)

____

More Stenciling Tips and FAQs:

Can I stencil a reverse image?

Yep just flip over or reverse a clean stencil, begin stenciling on the backside to obtain a contrary epitome.

What is the best style to clean my supplies later on each utilize?

Afterwards each use, stencils and stencil tools should be cleaned thoroughly.  Never allow paint to dry out in a stencil brush as it may ruin the brush.  If using waterbase paints, clean your stencils and tools in warm soapy water.  For quick pigment removal, wipe stencils with a rubbing alcohol dampened paper towel.  When stenciling with oil base paints, make clean stenciling supplies with depression-odor turpentine or mineral spirits.

How shall I treat my stenciled artwork?

From small arts and crafts surfaces to large furniture pieces, all stenciled items should have a protective finish applied afterward the stencil paint is thoroughly dry. Brush on a glaze or two of a protective end/varnish.  To clean or dust, but wipe with a clammy cloth.

Cloth items should be heat set to fully cure the paint to the fabric surface.  It is all-time to read and follow manufacturer's curing instructions.

____

I hope y'all have enjoyed learning some stenciling basics …are you inspired to endeavour your manus at stenciling?   What will be your first stencil project?  Relish and have fun!

For more easy and awesome DIY projects, craft tips and tricks, updates on the latest trends, exist sure to subscribe  to the our newsletter!

zieglercronts.blogspot.com

Source: https://plaidonline.com/blog/march-2014/learn-how-to-stencil-and-stenciling-tips

Share this post