Stencils are a quick and easy way of decorating furniture, walls and floors. Here's a primer on how to use them effectively, and with beautiful results.
- You can buy stencils pre-cut, but if you want to make your own, copy your design onto a piece of paper and pencil a level line 2.5 centimetres (1 inch) from the bottom of the paper. This guideline will help you align the pieces of the stencil later on. Now trace your design onto clear acetate. If your design is multi-coloured, you'll need one piece of acetate for each colour. Tape one of the sheets of acetate to a cutting board and, using an art knife, cut out the areas for one colour. Repeat for each colour. Label the stencils to indicate top, bottom, right and left of the design.
- Any type of paint can serve as a background for stencilling, but the most workable surface is a very low-sheen or eggshell finish. Make sure the background surface is clean and completely dry before you start.
- Before you start stencilling, always do a trial run on a piece of paper. You'll get to see exactly how the colours look together — and you'll get a chance to change them if you don't like the result!
- When securing a stencil to the wall, use low-tack tape instead of masking tape. Masking tape is strong and can damage the existing finish; low-tack tape has a weaker adhesive. Alternatively, spray the back of the stencil with artist's adhesive. Be sure to do your spraying inside a clean box to contain the mess.
- Choose fast-drying stencil paints or artist's acrylics when working on a multi-coloured design. This way you'll spend less time waiting for the colours to dry, so you'll finish sooner.
- It's the rapid bouncing of the tips of the brush bristles, a process known as "pouncing" that creates the characteristic stencil look. When stencilling, always try to pounce from the edges of the stencil to the centre.
- Spray the finished stencil with a coat of extra pale matte varnish. This will protect the work and make it possible for you to wipe the stencil clean when necessary.
Follow the tips in this primer, and you'll be sure to use stencils to decorate your home effectively, and with beautiful results.
