So, what is stenciling and what exactly are stencils? If you opened this page I am going to assume that you are a real novice on the subject of stencils. I hope to give you the basics and maybe inspire you to move forward with this knowledge and embark on a great hobby. Stencils help us create art even if we do not possess the talent to freely wisp a brush through paint, slather it on a canvas and come away with a masterpiece. Stencils get our creative juices flowing and let us put a hand painted image on whatever surface we desire. If you are looking to add a personal and unique touch to your home, you're on the right path!
The definition of a stencil is a template that produces an exact image every time it is used. Think of a stencil as a series of holes cut into a sheet of resilient, waterproof material (like paper or plastic). When paint is applied through the cut out areas to the surface beneath, an image is formed. A stencil can be used to draw or paint identical shapes, letters, patterns or symbols.
Classy Halloween Decor
Open sections of the stencil are called islands. These are the areas that allow color to be applied on the surface under the stencil. Bridges are the stencil material that separates the islands and keeps the shape of the stencil. These areas block color or paint from reaching the surface.
So, now you know about stencils. But, what is stenciling? Stenciling is the creation of an image through the application of color on a stencil and through the removed sections (islands), leaving a reproduction of the image on the underlying surface. This can also be referred to as stencil painting.
Stencils allow us to decorate with our own personal style even if we are not Leonardo da Vinci (or Picasso - if that's more your style). If you find it difficult to sit down with paints and brushes and come away with a picture you're satisfied with, then stencils are for you. They eliminate problems with proportion (a fleur de lis will always be perfectly symmetrical), or perspective (objects will be consistent in depth or dimension and show whether they are near or far) and size (a fairies arms are in direct proportion to her legs and the rest of her body).
With stencils, you decide where you want an image and you pick the colors. You choose what size you want your painted image to be. You are the designer of your project. It's just that you have a little help along the way. And don't worry - I won't tell anyone.
The number and variety of pre-cut stencil designs and craft stencils available to you is mind numbing. Whatever you can imagine painting I'm sure that some stencil designer has thought of it. You can find them at your local craft supply store or on line.
So, what can you do with stencils? Your imagination is the limit. But here are a few ideas. Of course painting stencils on the wall is the first thing to come to mind. You can paint a border of repeating roses at the ceiling or above a chair rail. Combine several different designs to create a mural. Maybe you could just paint a single image on a wall (like a playful fairy above a light switch). Instead of painting on the walls, why not paint some art prints with stencils for hanging on the wall? It's a great way to create art that is personal and will be a perfect match to the current décor. Breathe new life into an old piece of furniture. Paint one stencil on top of an old dresser or cover the whole thing with different related designs. Paint Fleur de lis on the door panels of an old armoire. Embellish T shirts or jeans or jackets. Redesign a lamp shade. Make some great throw pillow or add a special touch to curtains. The possibilities of decorating with stencils are endless.
You should know that there are different types of stencils. Here are some of the most common for you to become familiar with. They are: Pre-Cut Stencils (already cut and ready for paint, usually made of plastic), Cut and Paint Stencils (you will need to cut out the islands but usually less expensive and flexible on size because you can enlarge or reduce the size on a copy machine before you cut them out), Single Overlay Stencils (an image that is more of a silhouette and has blank spaces between the colored areas and is completed with only one stencil page), Multiple Overlay Stencils (have more than one stencil which are painted in a sequence and produce a more complete picture with no blank spaces in between colored areas), Printable Stencils (easy to print from home without having to go to your local craft supply store) and Downloadable Stencils (easy to download to your computer at home and print for use at your convenience).
Well, that's it for the very basics. I'm glad you decided to explore using stencils in your next decorating plan. They offer so many options and can help you jump start any art project you have planned. So, have fun stenciling!