{"product_id":"free-how-to-project-stencilicious-techniques-to-try-project","title":"Stencilicious: Techniques to Try by Christen Olivarez","description":"\u003cp\u003eIt’s no secret that the art world has been bitten by the stencil bug. They’re being used all over the place, from greeting cards, to \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/Life-is-Red-Journal-Page-Video\"\u003eart journal pages\u003c\/a\u003e, and so much more. When I first began playing around with stencils, I limited myself to using them with spray ink. I never really went beyond that until recently. Now I’m trying to use them in as many ways as I can!\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMy favorite type of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/stencils\"\u003estencils\u003c\/a\u003e to use are textures and patterns. I prefer them because I do not use a lot of focal images in my work, as it tends to be more on the abstract side. We carry a lot of great ones in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/stencils\"\u003eThe Shoppe at Somerset\u003c\/a\u003e, and I have also found some really interesting ones in the wall stencil aisle at my local craft store. I purchased round stencil sponges, and have really liked the effect I get from “pouncing” paint through the stencil. Because of the build-up of paint I get on the stencil, I also like to flip the stencil and “stamp” it onto whatever surface I’m working on. It’s an easy way to add another layer as well as use up all the paint. The stencil sponges are great because I’m able to use the paint left on them to stamp circles as desired.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eI also have been playing around with adding true texture with stencils. I am able to do that a couple different ways. One way is to emboss a stenciled design by applying a \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/inkpads-and-cleaners\"\u003eVersamark inkpad\u003c\/a\u003e as if it were a sponge through the stencil. I then remove the stencil, sprinkle on \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/index.php?route=product\/search\u0026amp;filter_name=embossing\"\u003eembossing powder\u003c\/a\u003e, and use a heat gun to finish it. I also like to use a palette knife and molding paste to add thick texture to my canvases. You can leave the molding paste white, or mix in a little bit of color.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: times new roman,times,serif;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #6e6f3c;\"\u003eCreating Your Own Stencils: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Finally, as an artist, I like to make things myself. From Traci Bautista, I learned to create my own stencils using hot glue. I simply lay down some parchment paper (you can also use a non-stick craft sheet), and draw a design using hot glue. Once the hot glue has set, the design easily peels away and is ready to be used in your art. They are more delicate than store-bought stamps, so I suggest using your handmade stencil with \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/index.php?route=product\/search\u0026amp;filter_name=spray\"\u003espray ink\u003c\/a\u003e, as it’s less likely to pull or tear at the stencil.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ctable style=\"width: 100%;\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"5\"\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"center\" width=\"25%\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn11.bigcommerce.com\/s-87od2q0wh1\/image\/assets\/parts\/christen-olivarez.jpg\" alt=\"\" height=\"150\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e \u003ctd width=\"75%\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 18px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: times new roman,times,serif;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #cc8108;\"\u003eAbout the Artist:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Christen Olivarez is the Director of Publishing for Stampington \u0026amp; Company and editor-in-chief\u003cbr\u003e of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/somerset-studio\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eSomerset Studio\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/somerset-life\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eSomerset Life\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/mingle\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eMingle\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/handcrafted\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eHandCrafted\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/artists-cafe\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eArtists’ Café\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: times new roman,times,serif;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #6e6f3c;\"\u003eInterests: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eart, slow food, writing, books, yarn, authentic living\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: times new roman,times,serif;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #6e6f3c;\"\u003eFollow Christen on Her Blog: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/thedeliberatelife.typepad.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ethedeliberatelife.typepad.com\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003c\/td\u003e \u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/tbody\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Free Projects","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45452513968279,"sku":"PROJ-0762","price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0659\/5546\/3319\/files\/PROJ-0762__02109.1558399666.1280.1280.jpg?v=1746792799","url":"https:\/\/stampington.live\/products\/free-how-to-project-stencilicious-techniques-to-try-project","provider":"Stampington \u0026 Company","version":"1.0","type":"link"}