Things You'll Need:
- Stencil
- Adhesive spray or tape
- Paint
- Sponges
- Paint brushes
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Step 1
Mark off any areas of your wall or its border you don't want to paint. If you plan to use a decorative pattern that will incorporate several images, fix your stencils on the wall where you will be applying the designs. Use tape or a light adhesive spray to do this. Setting each group of patterns up ahead of time will allow you to work in segments and keep the designs even and consistent. If you are only applying one image or design all over the wall, hold your stencil with one hand and move it as needed.
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Step 2
Decide how you want to apply your paint. You can use a stiff brush to paint over the stencil if your looking for a solid color rendering of the design or image. If this is the case, hold your stencil firmly at your starting position and dip your brush into your paint, then wipe it over the stencil. Fully cover every edge so the design comes out even. If you want to apply a more uneven layer of color, use a sponge to dab or wipe paint over the stencil design. Only do this once the first time around. Once your design dries, you can add another layer of color to add shading. Be sure to keep the edges of the stencil darker, working your way to a lighter center color.
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Step 3
Return to your stencil designs when they've had time to dry, this time with a small, stiff brush. Apply paint to the base color of your stencil using a lighter shade of the same paint. Offset your stencil slightly from the position of the original and apply the lighter shade of paint to create depth and shading in your original design.
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Step 4
Apply stippling to the finished work to produce even tones. You can accomplish this technique using a sponge or a brush. The method is the same for both. Dab a fully loaded sponge or brush over your stencil. This will even the tones and add an element of 3D texture to your work.
