How to Stencil
| Stenciling is a great way to decorate walls, floors, furniture, clothing and fashion and home accessories. Precut stencils are available in a wide selection of sizes and design motifs to suit every personality. General Stenciling Tips: Mask off adjoining areas that will be a different color. Use paint appropriate to your surface. Secure your stencil using stencil adhesive, painter’s tape or another low tack adhesive. Use a brush approximately half the width of the widest part of the stencil opening. Preplan your design on the surface. For room borders, it is often best to start in the least noticeable corner. Use a ruler and guidelines to assure your design is level, centered, etc.
To Stencil: Start around the outside edge of the opening. While a variety of shading techniques are possible, in general you will create a pleasing effect by keeping the center lighter than the outside edges. Use a separate brush/sponge for each color. Brushes: Start with a dry brush, load just the tips with paint. Distribute the paint evenly and remove excess by gently scrubbing in a circular motion on your palette. An alternate technique is to use a gentle pouncing motion, stippling paint into the area. Sponges: Start with the sponge dry. Dip one side (section) in paint and pounce off excess. Use a pouncing motion to distribute paint through the stencil opening.
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