How to Do Wall Stencils & Shading
Stenciling is an art form that nearly anyone can master with a little time and attention. There are endless applications and variations. You can stencil on ceilings, walls and nearly any surface you like. A large wall stencil can be used to create an overall fabric design, such as brocade, in a formal dining or living room. Some stencils are a single layer, whereas others have multiple layers, creating a need for precision when implemented. To learn how to stencil an entire wall, a single layer design is best.
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Things You'll Need
- Stencil
- Spray adhesive
- Masking tape
- Pencil
- Level
- Acrylic paints
- Stencil brushes
- Round or tapered art brush
- Paper or plastic plates
- Paper towels
- Stencil brush cleaner
Instructions
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1
Spray the back of your stencil with an adhesive made for this purpose. Observe the registration marks at the edges of the stencil where you will line it up and replace it on the wall for an overall design.
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2
Place the stencil in the middle of the most visible wall up next to the ceiling. Put small pieces of masking tape under the stencil's registration marks. Use a pencil to note these spaces by marking onto the masking tape. As you move the stencil over, match up the registrations.
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3
Squeeze a small amount of paint onto a plate. Dip the tip of your stencil brush into the paint and, using a clean part of the plate, swirl the brush around in a circle to distribute the paint.
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4
Fold a paper towel into four and offload your brush by swirling it in circles onto the paper towel. It's important to stencil with an almost dry brush.
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5
Paint in small circles in the openings of the stencil onto the wall. For best results, start at the outside edges and use the most pressure along the edges. As you move to the center of the stencil, use a lighter touch with an even dryer brush to give a dimensional look to your work.
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6
Accent your work by painting another color over the original color or in designated areas of your design to add highlights. Think about where the light sources would hit your wall, and make those areas the lightest.
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7
Add shadows for a three-dimensional quality by moving the stencil down slightly at an angle to the original placement. Stencil a soft grey hue just on the edges to create the illusions of shadows.
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Tips & Warnings
When the wall is finished, add some white highlights where the light would hit the design using an artist paintbrush. This will give your work a more hand-painted quality.
Use a good stencil brush cleaner to keep your stencil brushes in good condition.
Don't be tempted to leave a lot of paint on the brush, as it will seep under the stencil and ruin the clean edges.
