Stenciling Instructions With Free Printable Stencils!

Everything is built on a foundation and with these simple stenciling instructions you are on your way to creating Stencil Art.

Like I always say, "It's easy to create art with stencils." On this page we'll start with some basics and then I'll lead you to all the fun stuff!

I added a daisy stencil for you to practice and follow along with me in the video below. Enjoy!

First, pour paint onto your palette. Dab the tips of your brush in paint. Work the paint into the brush by dipping it firmly. With a circular motion, dab the brush several times on a paper towel or piece of paper to get out any excess paint.

It’s important to have a brush that's dry in order to keep paint from seeping under the stencil and smearing or running if you are working on a vertical project. If paint is seeping under the stencil or you're not getting clean edges than you're using too much paint. This will most likely happen to some degree anyway so be prepared to do some touching up.

Resist the temptation to load the brush up with paint so that you don’t have to do a second coat. More color is achieved by repeated coverage, not by using more paint. When your brush is properly loaded, an even powdering of paint is left when blotted on the paper towel.

Apply the paint to the stencil openings (islands) using a downward or dabbing motion over the edges of the stencil so as not to push paint under the stencil. If you use a back and forth brushing motion, the brush will push paint under the stencil and cause smearing. Apply paint with this dabbing and blotting motion in all the cut out areas of your stencil overlay. Start at the edges of each opening and work your way to the center. Allow to dry and apply additional coats of paint, if necessary.

Allow paint to thoroughly dry between coats of stencil painting. When you are satisfied with the color achieved and the paint is dry, then carefully remove the stencil and do any touching up that needs to be done.

That's the very basic of stenciling art. Now for a little advance stenciling instructions click on Stencil Artwork to learn more about working shadows and highlights into your stencil.

Now here's a video for you to watch these steps in action:

Isn’t it great to see these stenciling instruction in action? I find it much easier to learn by watching someone else.

Well, I think you've had enough stenciling instructions. In fact the best way to learn is to do. So start with some of the free printable stencils listed in the column on the right.

One of our most popular stencil projects is the one where a dolphin stencil is painted on a plain tote bag and Voila! it becomes a cool beach bag. Try it out and you'll get used to the idea that stencils can go anywhere.

Toile is a very ornate and detailed design so normally you don't find them in stencils. But at a site called all-about-stencils you know we have Toile Stencils, right? Best yet it's free.

Hey! Don’t forget that I (and everyone else) want to see your stencil art. Just click on Stenciling Projects to get your masterpiece showcased here on this web site. Won’t that be exciting! Or if you have any questions or want to share information join in on the Stencil Blog. Well, I hope to hear from you soon.

Happy Stenciling,

Penny

P.S. We are thrilled to introduce our selection of Printable Stencils. Instant gratification at its finest! You don't need a special printer - these designs are specially formatted to print from your home computer on standard letter sized paper. Once downloaded, you will have your complete stencil booklet with patterns and instructions. Just click, buy and print!

If you’d rather get your Stencil Pattern Books in Print, then visit our Printer’s Book Shop for the same designs in book format that will be mailed to you. You’ll find all of the stencils used as examples throughout this site.

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