Hello everyone! Jane Bellante back for another fun tutorial—this time, we’re turning an ordinary metal bucket into a whimsical, one-of-a-kind mixed media piece using chalk paint, distress oxide sprays, and some of my favorite stencils and masks.
If you're looking for a creative way to use your stencils and masks again and again while achieving fresh new looks every time, you're going to love this DIY decor project. Not only will you see how distress oxide sprays create stunning effects on curved surfaces, but you’ll also get ideas for layering rub-on transfers and adding finishing touches that tell a story.
Materials Used:
-
Metal bucket
-
Chalk paint (2 coats)
-
Distress Oxide Sprays (greens + blues)
-
Rub-on transfers (I used a vintage Alice in Wonderland theme)
-
Permanent ink
-
Makeup sponge
-
Protective gloves (trust me on this one!)
Step 1: Prepping Your Surface with Chalk Paint
I started with a plain metal bucket and painted it with two coats of chalk paint. This gives you a great matte base that helps the distress sprays really pop later on.
Step 2: Using the Open Bare Wisteria Vine Mask
For this tutorial, I’m reusing the Open Bare Wisteria Vine Mask—one of my absolute favorites. I love showing you different ways to get more out of your tools. This time, instead of pastels, I used Distress Oxide Sprays.
A quick tip: wear gloves! I didn't, and I had stained fingers for days—but the results were totally worth it.
Step 3: Spraying and Layering Color
I used three colors of distress oxide sprays: one green and two blues. I held the mask against the curved surface of the bucket (which did get my hands messy!) and sprayed in layers to build up rich, vibrant color.
As you spray, some areas will naturally blend, giving you that signature oxidized look that makes these sprays so addictive.
Step 4: Don’t Waste That Spray—Make Prints!
One of my golden rules: never waste leftover spray on your stencil. After spraying, I immediately pressed a piece of paper over the stencil to create a print. These get added to my stash for future art journal pages or collage work.
Step 5: Rotate the Mask & Repeat
I continued this process—rotating the mask around the bucket, spraying, and making prints—until the entire surface was covered in a colorful, organic pattern.
Step 6: Adding Vintage Transfers
Once the oxide spray background was dry, I began adding rub-on transfers. I chose a set of vintage Alice in Wonderland images to tell a visual story around the outside of the bucket. The contrast between the whimsical characters and the bold background was magical.
Step 7: The Final Touch – Stenciled Word
To wrap it all up, I grabbed the Emotions and Feelings 2 Stencil by Carolyn Dube and used a makeup sponge to dab permanent ink through the word "curious." It couldn’t have been more perfect for the vibe of this piece.
The Finished Piece
This transformed bucket is absolutely adorable—a curious, colorful nod to creativity and storytelling. I’m in love with the way the oxide spray background brings the whole piece to life, and the Alice in Wonderland theme adds a playful layer of narrative.
Whether you’re creating home décor, art journals, or mixed media magic—remember that your masks and stencils are more versatile than you think. Try them with pan pastels, oxide sprays, acrylic paint, and more!
Want to Watch the Full Video Tutorial?
If you're a visual learner or want to follow along in real time, you can watch the full step-by-step video tutorial right here:
Thank you so much for watching and reading! I hope this inspired you to look at your masks and sprays with fresh eyes. Don’t be afraid to get a little messy—just maybe wear gloves next time!
Find me at janebellanteart.com and @janebellante on all social media platforms.
No comments:
Post a Comment
If you are entering a GIVEAWAY, please add your email address in the event we need to contact you.
To avoid SPAM, please write it like this:
marybeth (at) stencilgirltalk (dot com)
Thank You!