There are countless ways to use stencils -- for proof, scroll thru my other blog --
http://heartworkbycecilia.blogspot.com
But I often fall back on old favorite stenciling methods, including the use of a Sofft Sponge to apply heavy-body acrylic paint thru the openings. I usually do this as a second step, having first established a background. Over the background below, I've used the stencil 9"X12" Tangled Pods with heavy-body burgundy acrylic.
After using the stencil a first time , I often add spray paint. This reinforces the layered look that's already begun -- and it's useful for hiding areas where paint may have bled under the stencil. I sometimes use Adirondack color wash spray from AmazonSmile. Other times, I use a mix of liquid acrylic paint, water and airbursh medium in a spray mister bottle. (Roughly 1 part paint, 1 part water and just a drop of the medium.) I use the small spray bottles found in the travel section of drug stores.
My next step was to brush on new layers of blue acrylic paint to set the stage for spraying a thinner paint thru the stencil. I don't always add these new, opaque layers, but in this case I decided to do it this way.
Below is a close-up of the stencil taped in place, ready for me to apply spray paint. (Notice I have cut the outside border off the stencil -- now stained from having been used earlier with burgundy paint.)
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| Detail close-up |
After spraying paint thru the stencil, I lifted the stencil, leaving what you see in the close-up below.
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| Detail close-up |
Another old favorite technique that I often fall back on is to use the reductive (also called subtractive) approach: First, I paint a layer of new color in a limited area -- then, while this layer is still wet, I place a stencil over it. Holding the stencil in place with one hand, I use a paper towel or soft cloth to rub off still-wet paint in the areas that are exposed in the openings of the stencil. The results are shown below -- where I have used the reductive technique at left bottom (purple) and right bottom (aqua.)
Below is a detail close-up of the lower left side of this painting.
Next, I focused on the upper right area, again applying burgundy acrylic paint thru the stencil. See below.
Below is a close-up of this upper right area:
After the burgundy paint had dried, it was time once more to secure the stencil to the canvas with masking tape. Notice again that I've cut off the stencil's outer border. (You can click on the image below to enlarge it. The stencil is now stained green.)
Again I used water-thinned green acrylic paint in a mister bottle to spray thru the stencil. After I lifted off the stencil, the central right area of the painting appeared as shown below.
Below is a close-up of this area:
Below is a full view of the painting, further developed. What I've done was (1) I painted out the left-middle section with opaque green paint; (2) I applied full-strength pink paint thru the Tangled Pods stencil; (3) I weakened the lower part of this imprint by covering that area with green spray paint.
Below is is the painting, finished. The final touch was to add part of the cut-up stencil along the left side. This meant cutting the stencil almost completely apart and reassembling it while collaging it to the canvas.
These are only a few ways I've found to use my 9"X12" stencil Tangled Pods.
