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Stenciling is an easy way to add elaborate decorative features to your walls.
While there are literally hundreds of stencil templates out there, it is also
possible to create your own custom template. In this way you can take your cues
from patterns in wallpaper, cloth, fabrics, or literally any picture in the
world, decorating your walls with its illustrious facsimile.
First you have to decide what kind of stencil you want to create. You have a
choice between a free floating design that is spaced and arranged however you
like it, or a strict repeating pattern, a continuous loop that constantly feeds
into itself over and over again.
Images and patterns can be taken from almost anywhere; blankets, wallpaper
samples, furniture, or even just going online and finding an image that inspires
you. Once you have a picture you like, you start by copying it onto a piece of
tracing paper. At this point you should be trying to get the smoothest, cleanest
version of the image possible. The simpler the design, the easier it will be to
create a stencil that is perfect. If it’s a pattern, especially a repeating
pattern, include a dotted reference line across the top of the paper.
You may have to copy the design a few times, but when you get it perfect, tape a
clear acetate sheet on top of your drawing. Then, starting with the reference
line, trace every single object that is going to be the same color onto the
clear sheet. If you are creating a stencil that will be applied using three
colors, red, blue, and green, then you need to repeat this process three times.
The first time just copy the parts that will be red, creating a vague dotted
line tracing around all other objects so that you will be able to position the
three stencils on the wall later.
Cutting the designs out is probably the most difficult part of creating your own
stencils. Lay the acetate sheets down on a cutting board, and use a craft knife
to carefully carve out the designs, taking care to only cut designs of one color
from each page. As you work, draw the craft knife in towards your body, being
very careful to keep your hands away from the blade. Each motion you make with
the knife should be smooth, and you should strive to make each line in a single,
precise cut.
Once you’re done, applying the paint to your walls should be relatively easy. If
you’re applying a repeating pattern, then using a straight edge to place a
guiding dotted line on the wall in pencil will allow you to line your stencil up
and keep the pattern straight. Once it’s aligned, the clear stencil sheet should
be taped down to ensure that it doesn’t shift while applying color.
A stencil brush should be used when applying paint, and there are two different
methods that you can use. Stippling involves lightly dabbing the color on to get
a smooth, soft, uniform coloring. Alternatively you can apply the paint in tiny
swirls that will give the image a sense of depth. Either way the paint should be
applied very lightly, with the bristles of the brush getting just slightly damp
with each dab. When you’re done, any mistakes can be touched up with a tiny
brush.
And that’s all it takes to make and apply your own custom stencil. This allows
you complete control over the look of your walls, and by extension your entire
home. Open your eyes, look around, and just imagine the possibilities.
This article written on behalf of PebbleZ.com’s decorative wall clocks crafted
from real, mountain born pieces of slate, marble, and limestone. The article
itself was written by stone specialist Joey Pebble.
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