How to paint with a Stencil: Tips & Tricks
An incredibly easy and inexpensive way to spice up your art is with stencils! There are many artists who choose to paint with a stencil, because it's a lot faster and gives perfect results every time. Banksy is a very popular example of someone who uses stencils in their artwork.
You can also use stencils for interior design or any other D.I.Y project. Paint an inspirational quote or a memorable date on your wall with a number or letter stencil. Use a beautiful mandala or flower stencil to brighten up your living room. You could even make your own stencil with our mylar stencil sheets. Learn a few tips & tricks to paint a stencil like a pro!
What is stencil art?
A stencil is a template made of a material that allows paint to pass through and is used to make prints. They are often made of flexible plastic or cardboard with a design cut out. The QBIX stencils are made of high-quality plastic, so that you can clean them and reuse them as much as you like.
Using stencils can save you a lot of time and they are very easy to use, once you know how to. You can even use several stencils on top of each other or next to each other for a different effect. Many big names in the graffiti scene use stencils. Some examples are: Dot Dot Dot, Faile, C15, Nick Walker, Black le Rat and Logan Hicks.
How to do stencil painting
It's very easy to paint with a stencil. First, make sure the surface you want to put the stencil on is grease-free, clean and dry. It's recommended to put it on a flat surface, such as a wall. If you are working with loose letters, it can be useful to apply a guideline, for example very lightly with a pencil.
Securing the stencil on the surface is very important. The stencil must be firmly attached, so that no paint runs through and bleeds everywhere, messing up the design. You can hold it firmly with your fingers, but it is often more convenient to temporarily stick the stencil with painter's tape or adhesive spray on the surface.
Use a roller or brush to apply your paint. Acrylic paint is usually the easiest to work with. Be sure not to use too much. You can also use a spray paint, this is even faster and gives a nice result. Remove the stencil carefully, immediately after painting, when the paint is still wet. Clean the stencil after use and use it as often as you like!
Take a look at our how to page for a step for step guide.
How to make a stencil
You can make your own stencil with the QBIX mylar stencil sheets! Draw your unique design on the sheet and cut it out with a simple hobby knife on a cutting mat. Use them the same way as the pre-made stencils.
Get creative with the QBIX stencils!