Using stencils to trace
beautiful paintings to adorn walls of houses dates
back to the Egyptian civilization. Through out history
there are various references to the use of decorative
stencil patterns used to embellish walls of palaces
and of the local people. It is also a folk art that
has been used by the common man for generations.
Stenciling involves repeating a simple pattern or
using complex patterns in various colors either to
tell a story or to decorate walls and furniture. You
can use this type of decorative painting to adorn the
walls of your house too. Just follow the instructions
given below.
Prepare wall by removing nails and repairing
cracks. Use primer if needed.
Use painter's tape-to-tape edges, window and
doorframes.
Remove all light fixtures and cover all
furniture with old sheets.
Choose a base color that is neutral like
eggshell and apply it evenly.
Use clear acetate and oiled stencil cards to
cut out stencils in patterns you like. For acetate use a
rapidgraph to trace the image. For oiled stencil paper use
carbon paper and a sharp pencil to trace image.
Use a sharp knife or blade to make clean cuts
in the stencil.
Use stencil brushes for fine and complicated
designs and for patterns that are from folk art it is better
to use a sponge. It can be natural marine or synthetic.
Artistic acrylic paints are best for
stenciling, it can be easily applied and dries rapidly. Oil
paints can also be used but this takes longer to dry.
Household latex paint can be used though it is a little thick
for intricate stencil patterns.
For durability apply a final coat of
protective varnish.
Place all the colors you are using on a
palette. Take a dry brush and dab some paint on it, remove
excess paint from brush by shaking it on to newspaper.
Attach stencil pattern to wall by either
spraying a layer of adhesive onto the back of the pattern or
by sticking it in place using tape.
Now begin painting from the center outward to
prevent bleeding of color. You can use more than one color for
a pattern.
For stencils on walls and furniture apply a
last coat of clear protective varnish to ensure that it is
durable over time.
