Since I’ve been having so much fun playing with all of my hand cut stencils, I thought you’d like to try one too! At the end of this post, there’s a cute dragonfly to download just for you! Print it out on 8.5 X 11 inch typing paper, cut it out and you’re ready to go!
For my new paintings, I am using spray paint to add my stencils, which is fun but really smelly. I found it helps to have a fan to direct the fumes out the open windows. But you could also use a sponge or foam brush and acrylics to get a similar effect.
I have the best luck when I don’t use too many different stencils in one piece (try using 1 focal point image, and 2-3 subtle patterns). Once I have my background colors in place, I layer on 2-3 subtly patterned stencils. You can try things like hole-punching a design into typing paper or folding the paper in half and just clipping ovals to create your subtle pattern design. Once I have a background I’m happy with, I add my focal point stencil.
TITLE: Believe. The Original Painting is available in my etsy shop. Prints available soon.
To create all of my stencils, I find simple photos of things I’d like as focal points. For my painting BELIEVE, I’ve used a bird, but you could use anything…stars, flowers, trees. Keep in mind though, that you’ll be cutting out the image, so if it has a million little sunshine points, you’ll be cutting out each and every one.
Using Photoshop, I cut out the image, fill it in, and erase the rest of the photo, so I’m left with just the focal point image. This way, all of my stencils are totally unique to me and the piece I’m working on, which I love!
Dragonfly Stencil. Click here to download it, just for you!
I print my stencil image, like this dragonfly, onto 8.5 x 11 inch typing paper. Then I get out my X-Acto knife and cut out the image. You’ll be using paint to put the image onto your piece, so it’s not super important to be exact with your cuts. Part of the fun for me is in the little mistakes that happen as I transfer the image and add more layers. Sometimes paint rubs off in unexpected places and it ends up adding something I might have been too timid to add in the first place! From there, I just keep adding more stencils and color, maybe paint in my character, then add more paint layers and just have fun with it all!
I haven’t even tried this dragonfly yet, so if you create something fun with it, email me. I’d love to see it!
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I'M JULIETTE
A painter, writer, and creator of The School Of Happy Painting, online courses to help you loosen up, let go, and develop your own unique style.
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13 comments
Julie
thanks juliette. this looks super fun!
Louise Gale
Very cute thanks! Hope you have a fabulous weekend 🙂
Juliette Crane
thank you, ladies! enjoy! and have a fabulous weekend!
xo, juliette
Mousy Brown
What a lovely idea – thank you Juliette! 😀
Carrie Schmitt
Juliette, I think you might be one of my soulmates! I recognized your art from Etsy when you left a comment. I'm a HUGE fan! And when I clicked on your site and saw that you have celebrating the small things, I knew I'd found a soul sister:) Anyway, I'm loving your blog and grabbing a button right now for my blog. I'm planning on buying some of your art one of these days! pS-great heart/leaf photo.
Carrie Schmitt
oh no, i don't know which button to choose!
La Dolce Vita
lovely! nice pressie!
Christa Irell
Juliette, I LOVE your new blog! You do inspiring, beautiful work, I love to come here and see what you have been working on!
Maria Palito
wow sounds fun!!! I haven't tried stencils… maybe one day I will try… Yesterday I made another small mixed media I am just scared of backgrounds, watercolors… but I still working on it…
have a nice weekend
mariapalito
jacqueline
I love this idea!! Hope you are having a great wonderful weekend! Love to yoU!
la kanija
Me encanta tu trabajo, y la sensibilidad que desprenden tus creaciones!besitos!
Juliette Crane
thank you so much!
and what a wonderful decision, carrie. that is quite a lovely compliment.
Diane Ackers
Juliette I just love your art. What a great idea to make your own stencils and then to share one how sweet.