Stenciling

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Another Mixed Media technique is stenciling that combines various art materials and stencils to create more layers on artworks. Stencils sold in stores or online are made from Mylar and come in all imaginable designs. They are easy to use and clean.

There are many interesting designs in stencils that can be bought and one has to find their favorites. However, they can be hand made as well, for example out of cardstock paper or some special stencil plastic to make them durable. Stencils should be used along with sponges, not paint brushes. It is important to vertically touch up and down on the stencils while getting the pattern onto the substrate. If gone sideways like with a brush, paint will get under the stencils and distort the desired effect of the stencil.

Once the stencil image has dried, another stencil can be used for adding another layer.

Stencils also work by placing them on gel plates. They can be used to add another interesting layer on previously pulled prints.

Image Descriptions:

Image 1: hand made stencil used multiple times after each print layer had dried.

Image 2: hand made, different stencils used multiple times adding more depths to the print.

Image 3: Gel prints on tissue paper. The stencils were collected from packaging items.

Image 4: when using letter or word stencils, please keep in mind that the resulting print will be mirrored if the stencil had been place on a gel plate.