Gold Leafing with StencilGirl® Stencils

Hi StencilGirl Friends,

I had so many different projects in mind for my first blog post here, but as soon as I saw the results on a test run of this technique, I knew I had to share!

If you follow me at all, you might know that I love to incorporate botanicals into my artwork and I am a big fan of eco-dyeing. I have stacks of eco-dyed papers in my studio and I am always looking for new ways to use them. (But please know that you do not need to try this on eco-dyed papers! This technique should work with most backgrounds.)

I also had golf leaf (intended for a completely different use) that had been laying around for weeks and weeks. Since I am a big proponent of using what you have, I gave gold leaf stenciling a try. I found that using modeling paste as the adhesive worked best because it is so easy to see both wet and dry. 

I hope that you will enjoy giving this technique a go...ld!

Tracy

SUPPLIES:

• Substrate - I used eco-dyed papers, but any background on any paper, journal page or other surface should work!
• StencilGirl Stencils - For each piece, I selected one stencil with a pattern for the background and a larger image stencil for the gold leaf. Here are my selections:
• Sidewalk in Puerto Rico #2 by Mary Beth Shaw 
• Rock Wall Small by Mary Beth Shaw
• Create Face by Pam Carriker
• Bouquet Greenery by Wendy Brightbill
• Modeling Paste
• Palette Knife
• Black Gesso (or other dark colored paint)
• Applicator 
• Gold or other Metal Leaf
• Small Soft Paint Brush (flat or round)
• Gold or other Color Gel Pen (optional)

STEP ONE:

Use your Black Gesso/Paint and your Patterned Stencil to stencil randomly over your background.

TIP: You want to create enough stenciling that is at least 3/4 of your Image Stencil size (so the leaf really pops off the page).

STEP TWO:

Once dry, use your modeling paste and palette knife to stencil your image over top. 

TIP: Scape a nice even layer over the entire image or the section you’d like to use,  AND wash your stencil right away once done! 

STEP THREE:

Gently lay sheets or small broken pieces of your leaf over the modeling paste.

TIP: Pat if you need to make contact with the paste, but do not push too hard or you will flatten and distort the image.

STEP FOUR:

VERY IMPORTANT! Allow paste to dry completely! 

STEP FIVE:

Use the soft brush to gently wipe away the leaf that is not in contact with the paste.

TIP: If you accidentally scrape away some of the leaf from the paste, put the tiniest bit of adhesive on the “bald spot” and patch with a gold leaf flake.

STEP SIX: (optional):

Line some of your dark shapes under the leaf with gel pen.

I would love to see what you create!

Find me at www.corkandbrush.com or @tracyvillart on Instagram.

Tracy