How to Achieve a Raised Stencil

Making 3-D sculptured stencil designs.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pre-mixed sheetrock mud or plaster
• Small 2 inch trowel
• Flat, small fine bristled paint brush. I use a flat sable brush
• Mylar stencil, (you can actually make your own. Its easier to buy a ready made stencil
• Latex wall paint
• Glaze
• Bucket of water
• Tape

1. 
    
   Applying mud to the stencile taped on the wall

   Paint your walls your final color. I always use a water based satin paint. Its easy to clean. When your undercoat of paint is dry mark your wall,
   In this example I am using a hand cut stencil of my own design. I mark my wall lightly with a pencil, using my handrail as a guide.

2. 
    
   Cleaning the stencil with a damp fine brush

   Tape the stencil to your marks and with your small trowel spread your texture or plaster over the stencil. As you lift the stencil away from the wall the mud will cling to the stencil. Clean the back of the stencil before moving on to the next placement of the stencil.

3. 
    
   Cleaning up the extra mud

   I am following the line that I had previously drawn on the wall. The faster you move on this the cleaner the outcome. Don't worry about the little zagged and or little tips of mud. You will be cleaning these up later.

4. 
    
   Dried Raised Stencil

   With my flat, fine sable brush, I will dip it in water and dry slightly on a clean towel. Keeping my brush damp, not dripping wet. I will work with all the little details to clean them up and give them character, vines and leaves.
   Let this dry. Don't worry about the white haze around your raised stencils as they dry. You can easily remove them with your damp brush.

5. 
    
   The raised stencil is ready to antique.

   After the raised stencils are cleaned up and completely dry, I will paint them the color of the background. This seals the raised stencils and makes them ready for glazing.

6. 
    
   Texture Applied With A Cake Decorating Piping Bag

   I mix a small amount of burnt umber craft paint with glaze and roll it over the stencils. I immediately wipe it off with a clean, damp rag. This gives them an antique look. Practice, Practice, Practice.
   It's great fun to see the different outcomes.
   
   Have Fun
   SK Sartell

7. 
    
   The raise carved and sculptures oak tree

   I free formed this oak tree. It's 10' tall. This was fun to make something totally new and imaginative.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the back of your stencil clean. Just wipe it off after every application as you move on.
• After the mud/plaster is dry you can still sculpt them with a metal sculpting tool or work at them with a damp artist brush.
• Plaster dries faster and is harder than premixed sheetrock mud. You have to cleanup around your raised stencils quickly. They stain a little different also. Sheetrock mud carves easier also.

[sksartell]

on 4/14/2009 Thank you for your recommendation mccmu.

[mcccmu]

on 4/14/2009 Fantastic way to use stencils to add warmth and personality to plain walls! I had to check out your website also; you have beautiful designs! 5* recommend