Art Workshop with StencilGirl® Products

Hi, everyone! Jennifer Evans here!

Recently I taught an art workshop at Periwinkle Art Studio using my 9" x 12" Butterflies Play in the Garden stencil and Playful Butterflies stencil, and I couldn't wait to share photos!

We used cold pressed Watercolor paper (9" x 12") and the stencils to position the butterflies (and any flowers, if desired). The watercolor tends to seep a bit under the stencils, so it's beneficial to use a medium brush with not a whole lot of liquid loaded in it. This is just meant to get the shape of the butterflies on paper -- you can fill in and correct any blips once you carefully remove the stencil.

Class participants used either watercolor or gouache -- it's really just preference.

If you like watercolor, use watercolor. If you want something more vibrant and opaque, use gouache.

Once the composition is decided and the butterfly images are outlined,

begin the process of filling in the wings.

Add a background.

This is mostly water and just a little pigment, so as not to distract from the central image.

When everything is dry, use markers and pens to add outlines and doodle patterns into the wings.

If you have a word or phrase for 2020, this is a great time to feature it! (see my finished example).

Here is one more project, using Butterfly Wings of Whimsy stencil: a greeting card I made with that stencil!

Using the Strathmore Watercolor Greeting Card stock, create a light colored background with watercolors of your choice.

On a scrap of mixed media or Bristol paper, stencil some wings.

I used blue and magenta acrylic paint to do this.

Cut out the wings and arrange on the greeting card, once the background is dry.

Secure with matte medium or Mod Podge.

For the butterfly body, I used bits of twine, also secured with decoupage medium. 

Embellish the wings with acrylic paint.

Allow to dry, then outline with thin brush or black marking pen.

Happy Spring!

Jennifer