How To

How to Free-Form Stencil

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By eHow Contributing Writer
(9 Ratings)

Free-form stenciling is a stenciling method using overlaps and grouping to create free-flowing designs that are uninhibited by straight-border repetition.

Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Stencil Brushes
  • Stencil Paints
  • Stencils
  • Scissors
  • Scissors
  • Pencils
  • Adhesive Tape
  • Pencils
  • Permanent Markers
  • Tracing Paper
  • Adhesive Tape
  • Mylar Notebook Papers
  • Stencils
  • Pencils
  • Permanent markers

    Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Decide what type of theme you want for your room.

  2. Step 2

    Select stencils that match your theme. Make sure the stencils are the right size for the wall you are decorating.

  3. Step 3

    Plan your stencil design and sketch it on a piece of paper. This can be a thumbnail sketch or a pattern drawn actual-size on butcher paper using the stencils you have chosen.

  4. Step 4

    Arrange your stencil pieces on the floor at the base of the wall you will be decorating. This will help you determine the design placement.

  5. Step 5

    Practice your stenciling techniques on a piece of paper. (See "How to Stencil a Wall Border.")

  6. Layering Without Masks

  7. Step 1

    Stencil the first shape - such as a leaf, flower or bow - with a medium-sized stencil brush or a foam roller. Use a light, soft color.

  8. Step 2

    Place the same stencil at a slight angle overlapping first.

  9. Step 3

    Paint this shape with a richer, brighter color. The lighter shape that you stenciled first will look like the shadow of this second shape.

  10. Step 4

    Darken the edge of the second shape where it overlaps the first.

  11. Step 5

    Move to another section of your border or design and repeat steps 6 through 9.

  12. Step 6

    Continue until you have stenciled the desired number of shapes.

  13. Layering With Masks

  14. Step 1

    Assemble the stencils you will be using for your design.

  15. Step 2

    Trace each stencil onto a thin piece of Mylar with a permanent marker.

  16. Step 3

    Cut out each stencil shape, creating a Mylar mask for each stencil.

  17. Step 4

    Stencil in the shapes that will be in the foreground of your design first.

  18. Step 5

    When the paint is dry, tape the appropriate Mylar mask over it.

  19. Step 6

    Position the next stencil, carefully overlapping the Mylar mask as needed to create your design.

  20. Step 7

    Paint in the top stencil. The mask prevents paint from getting onto the first stencil design.

  21. Step 8

    Leave the mask in place until you have finished stenciling any shapes that overlap the masked shape.

  22. Step 9

    Repeat until you've painted all the shapes in your design.

Tips & Warnings
  • Use this masking technique to make clean edges between contrasting colors.
  • When layering with masks, start with the top layer and work down to the bottom layer.
  • This technique works well for stenciling objects that appear to be behind each other, such as a cluster of grapes behind leaves or a spray of overlapping flowers.

Comments  

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 7/20/2006 Stencil paste recipe:
1 cup of sheet rock compound (Sheetrock mud). This comes in various size containers
2 tablespoons of Gesso (artist primer) or white acrylic paint
1 tablespoon Elmer's glue
Mix together until you have the consistency of frosting.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 You can easily make your own stencils by printing out or drawing simple shapes onto card stock and cutting out with a razor blade (be careful) or a pen or stencil-knife. This way, you can create unique stencils that you would not be able to find in a craft store.

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