Painting with Stencils

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Painting with Stencils

Stenciling is an ancient craft, used since the Egyptians painted with stencils in the tombs of the pharaohs. Over the course of history, stenciling has fallen in and out of favor, and both peasants and kings have employed it to decorate walls, churches and furniture.

Once again, it is a fashionable and stylish choice for adding personality and pizzazz to home décor, and craftsmen use it to embellish many decorative items.

Artists also use stenciling, creating stylized motifs and quickly completed multiple images on a support. These may be the basis for further painting and used as a template to place objects in a painting.

Stencils To Buy

The craftsman, needing perfect letters and numbers, buys ready-cut sets of stencils. Manufactured stencils give professional results, without discrepancy or painterly quality. These are perfect for signage and other items that require a professional, non-artsy appearance.

There are countless stencils of popular designs. Fruit, flowers, vines and leaves are popular among the craft set. Animals, simple shapes and geometric forms and borders are also fashionable.

Technology has advanced significantly in commercial stencil production. The laser-cut stencils available in intricate and large patterns have broadened the scope of the craftsman’s work immensely.

Stencils To Create

Craftsmen and artists want an inventive, painterly appearance to their work. Commercial stencils, while impressive in the size and intricacy they achieve, are not what an artist wants to include in his own, unique work.

However, stencils are useful tools, and many craftsmen create their own. A craftsman may design a stencil for the line of items he sells. Now he can freely recreate the...

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...wels, and use scrap paper for testing.

There are two basic motions the artist uses to apply the paint. He can lightly tap the brush up and down, holding it at 90 degrees to the support. This method is known as stippling or pouncing. Another method of paint application is to swirl the brush in a circular motion, beginning outside the perimeter of the cutout, and work towards the center of the area.

Multiple layers of paint add depth of color, as well as shading and highlights. When the paint is dry, remove the Mylar. The piece is ready for the next segment of painting.

Whether this comprises the completed work, or is a stage of the painting process, it is a valuable addition to the artist’s skill set. It is useful for crafts and home decorating, as well as fine art and paintings. With minimal tools and investment, it can add variety and interest to your work.

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