How to Create Stunning Layered Effects with Stencils and Masks on Black Paper

Hello everyone! Jane Bellante here. I am so grateful to be back with an art journaling tutorial.  Have you ever struggled with getting crisp, layered effects when using stencils with pan pastels, sprays, and mica powder? If your designs smudge, lack contrast, or disappear into the background, I have the perfect technique for you.

In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through my step-by-step process for creating depth, dimension, and rich, layered effects with stencils on black paper. Then, you’ll see how I bring a steampunk bird to life with Color Bloom Sprays, Pan Pastels, mica powders, and embossing ink.

If you’ve ever felt frustrated while stenciling with mixed media, this method will change the way you create.

Let’s dive in!

Step 1: Creating a Dynamic Background with Color Bloom Sprays

I started with a black paper journal and my Color Bloom Sprays. These sprays are fantastic for building vibrant layers, especially on dark surfaces. I randomly sprayed three different colors, letting them overlap and blend naturally.

Don't stress about placement—just let yourself play! The organic blending creates the magic.

                                          

Once the page was fully covered, I dried the sprays with a heat tool. You can also let them air dry, but the heat tool helps move the colors around, creating unique textures.

Step 2: Layering with Pan Pastels for Depth

Next, I grabbed the Open Bare Wisteria Vine Mask and my Pan Pastels in magenta, gold, and a deep orange shade. These colors show up beautifully against the metallic spray background.

Using a makeup sponge, I carefully pressed the pastel through my stencil while holding it in place to prevent shifting. This step is where the real depth and texture begin to build.

Turn your stencil as you go to avoid a repetitive pattern. This creates a more organic look.

I kept layering and experimenting with color until I achieved a bold, dimensional effect.

Step 3: Adding a Steampunk Bird and Stencil Detail with Mica Powder

For the focal point, I used a fussy-cut steampunk bird printable. 

Using Versamark embossing ink, I sponged the ink through the Circle Rays 6 Stencil, then brushed on mica powder for a brilliant metallic shine.

Mica powder sticks beautifully to embossing ink! This step adds a luminous glow that makes the design pop.

Once my steampunk bird was glued down with a UHU glue stick, I realized the mica powder transferred onto my fingers. To bring everything together, I sponged more Versamark ink directly onto the bird, then dusted on more mica powder for a cohesive look.

Step 4: Adding a Poem and Finishing Touches

To complete the spread, I created a small poem and printed it out. Once cut into strips, I auditioned different placements before gluing them down.

If you print text from your computer, it may look too stark against your page. To blend the poem into the design, I used Fossilized Amber Distress Ink with a small brush to tint the edges of the text strips.

As I worked, my fingers picked up some magenta Pan Pastel, which transferred to the poem strips—a happy accident that added an extra blended effect!

You can watch the whole step by step tutorial on YouTube right here:

Final Thoughts

This project was so much fun and an easy way to explore layering with multiple mediums. If you’ve been hesitant to experiment with stencils, mica powders, and pastels, I hope this inspires you to try them in your next spread!

Stencils Used:

Open Bare Wisteria Vine Mask

Circle Rays 6 Stencil

Key Takeaways from this Tutorial:
✔️ Use Color Bloom Sprays to create a vibrant base on black paper
✔️ Layer Pan Pastels through stencils for rich texture and depth
✔️ Mica powder + embossing ink = a luminous metallic shine
✔️ Blend printed text into your page with Distress Inks

Where to Find Me:
📌 Website: janebellanteart.com
📌 Instagram: @janebellanteart1
📌 Facebook: @janebellanteart

Let me know in the comments—what’s your favorite way to layer mixed media in your art journal?

Happy creating!

Jane Bellante