How to Stencil a Compass Design
Invoke images of nautical adventure with a compass stencil design in your arts and crafts. Whether you choose a pre-made stencil or create your own design, stencils can dress up walls, accentuate greeting cards and enhance furniture pieces. With simple tools, create a stencil compass that can decorate many different types of mediums.
Things You'll Need
- Thin stenciling plastic
- Plastic sheeting
- Paper
- Scissors
- Craft Knife
- Marking pencil
- Masking tape
- Ruler
- Level
- Stencil or sponge brushes
- Acrylic or stencil paint
- Paint palette
- Paper towels
Instructions
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Choose a compass stencil design you wish to create into a stencil. Trace the design on a piece of paper with a dark colored pencil. Lay stenciling plastic over design and trace with marking pencil. Cut out design with a craft knife.
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Tack down stencil with masking tape. Choose the dominant color in the compass design and cover up remaining stencil sections with masking tape. Measure with rule and level to make sure design is both centered and straight on the medium.
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Mix acrylic paint or other craft paint on a paint palate. Only use one color at a time to prevent exposed paint from drying out. Thin out thick paint with a little water for easy application.
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Dab paint on exposed compass sections with a stencil brush or sponge brush. Use small quantities of paint, layering more on as you go. Too much paint can cause the stencil sections to bleed. Since a compass design traditionally has small geometric areas, bleeding paint can ruin the design. Allow the paint to dry.
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Uncover remaining stencil sections and paint them according to taste. Experiment with different paint texture techniques. For a nautical look, try sponging a darker color as a base, and then paint over the same sections with a lighter color towards the center of the sections. Remove stencil and allow paint to dry thoroughly.
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Tips & Warnings
Spread out plastic sheeting over your workspace to prevent unwanted paint splatters.
Choose blues, grays and browns for your compass design to tie in with a nautical theme.
Combine a compass design with rope and boat stencils to accentuate the theme.
Work in a well-ventilated area when using paint.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit pink and yellow stencils image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
