Hello,I am looking to stencil our small bedroom wall.Right now it is the playroom for our grandkids and they all love different toys,,ages are 3-10,,but one thing they all do like is bike riding and diggging up bugs!I thought maybe of trying to stencil a wall mural of a flower garden with bugs caterpillars etc etc climbing around on the walls.Has anyone stenciled before,,have some tips for me,,know where I can get some free stencils since this will all be on a budget!Thankyou for your help.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: OhioDonna,
Posts: 908 | Location: Ohio | Registered: Mar 21, 2008
This website has free printable stencil templates for about 48 different subjects. including animals, bugs, plants... If you are handy with a box cutter you can cut your own for a fraction of the cost.
A tip: use different tools like sponges, dry brushes, rags to add texture to the images. i.e when stenciling a tree, use a light color for the background and then dab a tiny bit of darker green with a sponge or very dry brush to create shades and leaves. Same goes for animal fur, and clouds in the sky.
Make sure you work the paint into the brush but that it is still "dry" if that makes sense. If there is too much paint on your brush, it will ooze under the edge of the stencil. Work excess paint off the brush by swirling it on paper towel just before applying it to the wall.
Don't rush, take your time and do lots of practice stencils on paper before starting.
I like the look of circular brush strokes around the edges of the stencil pattern, leaving the center slightly lighter.
I prefer the oil based stencil paints that are creams as opposed to the acrylic liquid paints. I just think the colors are more true and clear. I have no idea what happens when it is time to paint over them..I did tons of stenciling in my old house, oil paint on latex painted walls and it was still there when I moved. This house didn't lend itself to stencil decorations, but I miss them.
Most of all, have fun. The craft/hobby stores have loads to choose from as well as the big box hardware stores. Oil/acryllic paints have different clean up so read the labels.
