Stencil tutorials

Build your background on canvas or coloured card. They will also look good on a uniform background.

Place your first stencil and mark the position so you can align the others on the next stages. Secure it with a couple of pieces of masking tape so it doesn’t move.

You’ll need an acrylic paint that’s not too liquid and sponges (either stencil sponges or kitchen ones)

Drop some paint on a piece of paper, Dab your sponge in it, then wipe it on your paper in a circular motion. This is to remove the excess paint from the sponge and avoid bleeding. You’ll only need very little paint on your sponge.

Then proceed to dab the sponge onto the empty areas of your stencil. You may want to use your other hand or a chopstick to hold the stencil down where you’re applying the paint.

When you’re done stenciling, you can add extra illustrations if you feel like it.

Have fun in your exploration.:

Make your background. I realised this on a 9″ square canvas which I covered with black spray paint. I then drew the circles and added the calligraphy. I sprayed transparent black paint over it all to shade the whole painting before the stenciling part.

You can also use a wall, cardboard, paper, wood, etc…

If you’re using spray paint, make sure it’s in a well ventilated area and that you’re wearing a mask to protect you from the heavy particles and chemicals.

You will also want to use cardboards or newspapers around your painting area so you don’t get spray paint all over!

Place your stencil where you need and make a small mark so you can align the next ones when you’re done with this one.

Use masking tape around the edges and extra pieces of cardboard to cover the areas on which you don’t want any paint.

Shake the spray can of the colour you’ve chosen for your first layer and spray it a few times on a part of the surrounding cardboards to make sure paint is coming out correctly.

Hold the stencil down with a chopstick. Hold the can 15 cm away from your work and Proceed to spray over the stencil one small press at the time until you’ve covered all of the stencil’s cut areas.

Be gentle with the spraying, you don’t want the paint to get too liquid and start leaking.

Carefully remove the tape and the stencil before it dries up and wait for the paint to fully dry before placing the next layer on.

Once the first layer is dry, repeat the process with the next one.

Let it all dry, varnish if you wish.

Congratulate yourself, It’s ready to hang on your wall!