How to Make Stencils to Paint Camo

Stencils to paint a camouflage effect can be easily made at home with some cardboard, a pencil and a craft knife. To create a camouflage effect you will need two or three separate stencils of the same size with different patterns. Each will be used for a different paint color. By layering the colors of paint and using a series of different stencils, you will make the camouflage pattern appear gradually.

Things You'll Need

• Three square sheets of stiff cardboard, of a weight similar to cereal boxes
• Pencil
• Craft knife
• Level cutting surface
• Painters' tape

Instructions

1. Using the pencil, lightly draw a line down the middle of each sheet of cardboard horizontally and vertically to outline four quadrants. This will act as a guide for positioning the camouflage shapes so that each color layer will overlap but not entirely cover each other.

2. 

   Sketch one or two blob shapes in the middle of each quadrant for the first stencil. You can look at a picture or item of camouflage clothing as a guide. You should draw simple rounded blobs with lots of arms and legs, a similar shape to coral or spilled oil (see Figure 1).

3. 

   For the second stencil, sketch one or two blob shapes of different sizes over the pencil lines. This ensures that the shapes painted in one color do not completely cover the shapes on the previous layer, although some overlapping is fine (see Figure 2).

4. 

   For the third stencil, draw a blob shape in the center of the square and one close to each corner (see Figure 3).

5. On a level surface, use the craft knife to cut out the blob shapes for each stencil. If the card is thin enough, you may be able to use scissors.

Using the Stencils

1. To paint a camouflage pattern using the stencils, first paint the surface entirely with the lightest of your four camouflage colors.

2. When the paint is dry, position any one of the stencils over the background, secure it in place with painters' tape and paint in the blob shapes with the second palest color. Leave the stencil in position until the paint dries.

3. Position a second stencil over the background and paint in the blob shapes with the next darkest color. Leave it to dry and then remove the stencil.

4. Position the third stencil over the background, and paint with the darkest color.

Tips & Warnings

• Always supervise children when using scissors and craft knives.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish