StencilGirl® Art Journaling

I’m writing this sometime before you will see it, in a time of restrictions and worries about the new Omicron virus. But I have begun to notice that I’m far less anxious than before, that I have started to adjust my expectations and there is much more balance in my everyday life. This spread is trying to picture that.

Here is the tutorial:

1.      On a 2 page spread in your art journal (I used the large one from Dylusions) squirt out 3 different colours of paint and brayer them out over the pages.

2.      Put Oh Velocity on top and rub away the paint using baby wipes. As I didn’t gesso the pages first it is harder to remove the paint but you end up with a hazier outline of the stencil on the pages and that was what I was after. Let dry thoroughly.

3.      Glue on a variety of vintage papers, music and text over the pages as shown.

4.      Add titanium white acrylic paint to the pages with a sponge.

5.      Using a darker colour of paint, stencil on parts of stencil Vintage Ledger Script Large over the pages. 

6.      Stencil patterns on deli paper using colours matching your pages with the following stencils: the medium stencil from the October 2015 StencilClub, the medium stencil from March 2018 StencilClub, Fragmented Line Columns, Grid Outline 4 by 4, and MB Makes Marks Marker.

7.      Tear out bits of the stenciled deli paper and glue to the pages using regular gel medium.

8.      Using stencil Graphic Mod Mask 1: 70s Play mark out the outline of the stencil unto the pages (one in reverse) using a pencil. Then colour in the shapes in colours matching your pages. I used Bruynzeel brush pens in 2 different colours.

9.      Add white dots and outline the squares on the pages with a permanent white marker (I used a Posca one).

10.  Outline the large shapes with a permanent black marker

11.  Splatter the pages with pink and white acrylic inks

12.  Add the text “Life is a balancing act”. I used a Dymo writer for this. Also write this or parts of it elsewhere on the pages.

13.  Edge the pages with a permanent black inkpad.

© Frieda Oxenham 2022. To see more of Frieda's work, please visit her BLOG.

New Stencils and Masks from Martice Smith and Suzi Dennis

StencilGirl® is thrilled to showcase a new designer, Martice Smith, as well as an artist who has not designed for us in a bit, Suzi Dennis.

Here is a peek of what is in store for you when you scroll down ~ inspiration from Martice and a pottery tutorial by Suzi.

Suzi Dennis' art is on the left and Martice Smith's is on the right, above.

Graphic Mod Collection

Graphic Mod is a collection of 3 hand-drawn masks with stencils by Martice Smith based on expressive mark-making, a.k.a. graffiti! These designs are playful, organic shapes inspired by her love for graffiti and street art in the Arts District of her hometown in Kansas City, Missouri, where she spends her afternoon walks being mesmerized by the artistry of unknown creative rebels.

Broken down into bold and chunky graphic lines and shapes, these stencils and masks will help you add an urban/contemporary feel to your work. Mix and overlap them to create symbols - they all work well together. You can also use them for background details, focal points, border frames, lines for journaling, and more. Combine or use bits and pieces of each set to create a whole new vibe!

There are three stencils with masks included in the Graphic Mod Collection.

70s Play features a long looping mask and stencil surround so you can layer it with color if you wish.

70s Play, L863

Hole in the Wall features two nested looping shapes for more layered paint play.

Hole in the Wall, L864

 

Bubble features a bubble inside of a bubble.

Bubble, L865

There’s no wrong way to use them," Martice says. "Create with the masks alone or together with the stencils from all three sets from the Graphic Mod Collection."

Her favorite technique with these stencils is using them with acrylic paints on a gelatin plate. She says they are also "perfect for creating abstract backgrounds in your art journal, printmaking, mixed media, and especially large canvas paintings and murals.

"Use a pair of small scissors or a craft knife to cut out the stencil and mask combo," Martice says. 

Bubble and 70s Play combined.

Experiment with repeating the shapes to create layers of pattern and texture. Rotate, flip, or combine designs.

Paths and Mosaic & Pebbles

The Mosaic and Pebbles Stencil designed by Suzi Dennis features a central circular design made up of shapes with sharp edges surrounded by smaller organic circular and oval shapes. 

Mosaic & Pebbles 6" x 6" Stencil, S887

The Paths Stencil with Mask was designed by Suzi Dennis. The organic oval mask is full of mark-making hand-drawn with a thick tip. The stencil surround makes it easy to layer this pattern.

Whether you chose to layer it up or not, the Paths Stencil & Mask and the Mosaic & Pebbles Stencil are each perfect for use with your gel printing plate, plus they make wonderful designs in your art journaling or mixed media artwork, or as Suzi has used it, for stenciling a design on pottery.

Paths Mask with Stencil Surround, 6" x 6", S888

Want to make Suzi's stenciled, bisque fired plate? Here's how:

Discover more of Suzi Dennis' designs including the Flower Pot Mask she used on the bottom of her plate.

What will you stencil next?

Creating Wearable Art with StencilGirl® Stencils

Creating Wearable Art with StencilGirl® Stencils

Hello there, our stencil lovin’ friend!

Have you ever considered using stencils to create wearable art? I have and let me tell you, I’m so glad I took the leap into doing so because my creativity has soared! I’m constantly thinking up fun new ways on how I can transform my paintings on paper into art for the body!

I’m Martice, one of StencilGirl®’s Creative Team members and today I’m sharing three wearable art projects I’ve created just to show you the incredible versatility of StencilGirl® stencils.

My art style is very bold with vibrant colors, abstract patterns inspired by nature/florals, and mark-making with a graffiti twist. I also like to incorporate this into my home, office, and studio decor as much as I can because it makes me happy and it’s a continuous source of inspiration in my everyday lifestyle.
 
Here is a list of basic supplies you’ll need to get started creating your very own wearable art pieces:

Supplies:

• Acrylic paints
• Fabric medium (optional)
• Canvas fabric (I like to use a medium weight)
• Sponges (cosmetic and/or a stencil pouncer)
• Sewing machine
• Shoe inserts
• Scissors
• Painter’s tape (optional)

First Project: Fabric Design

One of my favorite projects is to create a collection of handbags. (These are inspired by the exploration and wild imagination of my art journal pages.)

I’ve created over 15 unique handbags using a combination of StencilGirl® stencils and a few of my own handmade stencils made from thin cardboard. 

I took 2 yards of canvas fabric and pinned it to my wall. For a large-scale painting like this, I recommend putting on your favorite dance playlist and getting your entire body in motion! Paint with large, gestural strokes, first. Focus on details last.

One thing I love about StencilGirl® stencils? Besides the exceptional quality, I’m able to build layers upon layers of paint and texture paste without worrying about them buckling or tearing apart. They’re super durable!

Here’s an Instagram video of my most recent collection, “Blooming Season”. 

Stencils used:
Boho Striped Circle

Clustered Leaves

Deconstructed Floral Bouquet

Hash Marks 

Scribble scratch

Second Project: Fabric Necklace

Using a stenciled design instantly makes you stand out! It’s unexpected, fun and is a prime example of putting your art on display.

In this project, I combined canvas and denim fabrics to really boost the wow factor. I only used one stencil but mixing the two fabric textures with small beads made the stenciled areas pop.

Keep your technique simple. Use two colors - one light and one a shade darker - to get an ombre effect. To add more visual texture, I chose a stencil with a geometric design, angular shapes and a variety of line thicknesses.

Stencil used:

Kilim Patterns 

Third Project: Shoe inserts

Don’t forget your feet need stencil lovin’ too! All you need are a pair of shoe inserts, acrylic paints, and your choice of stencils. I found that the smaller designs like the 4”x4” and 6”x6” were the perfect size.

Other ideas while designing your fabric:

• arrange the stencils in a random kind of way or be a little bit more precise on how you lay them down

• combine two or five stencil designs to make a totally different pattern.

I like to use a small cosmetic sponge because it allows me to have more control with paint application. Just remember, to get those nice, crisp lines, you don’t need that much paint on the sponge. Too much paint will seep underneath the stencil and blur your image. Pounce the sponge up and down to remove excess paint. If you struggle with holding the stencil in place with your fingers, tape it down with painter’s tape to keep it from sliding around while you’re applying the paint.

Stencils used:

Deconstructed Della Robbia Cluster Mask and Stencil

Hash Marks 

Hopefully, with these examples, you were able to see just how easy and fun it is to create wearable art using stencils on fabric. The possibilities are endless!

Have you ever tried stenciling on fabric? Tell us about your experience in the comment section below! Be sure to tag me on Instagram with your fabric creations. Happy stenciling!

To learn more about Martice and her mixed media art tutorials, please follow

the inspiration trail in her newsletter!

Website

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Origami Treasure Boxes by Martice Smith II

Origami Treasure Boxes

by Martice Smith II

Hi everyone! Martice back on the blog again, sharing a super cute and functional way I like to use up my scraps of paper from my printmaking sessions. one way to help me keep my work desk neat and uncluttered.

Stencils used to create these origami treasure boxes:
Kilim Patterns by Cathy Nichols 
Scribble Scratch Handwriting Stencil by Carolyn Dube
Ancient Marks by Suzi Dennis

STEP 1: Stencil the paper with bold patterns and bright colors!

I love the gritty, mottled effect produced by a sponge roller. I think it resembles paint or chalk markings on concrete. The lines are jagged, expressive and just sit on top of the surface instead of being absorbed into the crevices. I’m always experimenting with different surfaces to get that cool, unexpected look. Kraft paper does the trick! 

I used a sponge paint roller for these origami treasure boxes but you may want to try a rubber brayer for a smoother paint application, or a cosmetic sponge for more control and ability to really lay down heavy layers of paint. Try them both to see which look you love the most.

Experiment with layering two stencils - try to create a new stencil design!

Use the gel plate to pull a print, choose a contrasting paint color, load the sponge roller, then roll over a stencil that has a bold pattern. 

STEP 2: Fold the paper to create the origami box.

I trimmed the kraft paper into squares. Some are 10” x 10” to create medium-sized boxes and 6”x 6” for smaller boxes.

STEP 3: Embellish!

These origami treasure boxes make handmade gift-giving even better! Gently tie a colorful piece of yarn around your new treasure boxes.  

Here are some of the items I like to keep inside of my origami treasure boxes:

Unmounted rubber stamps, rolls of washi tape, push pins, jewelry, and of course M&M candies! Yum!

That’s all for today, friends! I hope you enjoyed learning how I repurpose my stenciled papers and if you’re interested in learning more stenciling techniques, please check out my eBook ‘7 Unbelievably Easy Stenciling Techniques’. Use the secret code STENCILPRO20 to get 20% off!

Happy creating!

-Martice Smith 

To learn more about Martice and her mixed media art tutorials, please visit her website or follow the inspiration trail on her Instagram  @MarticeSmithArt.

Jumbo Gelli Tags Using Stencils

Jumbo Gelli Tags Using Stencils

By Martice Smith II

Hi everyone! Martice Smith here, with a video sharing my favorite 3 ways to add contrast to my work.

Watch me create a bunch of gelli prints and transform them into JUMBO gelli tags, loaded with color, texture, and patterns. Grab your supplies, an art journal and get ready to add make beautiful tags with pops of visual delight!

LINK TO VIDEO > > https://youtu.be/mv5Zk5lH2RY

Here’s a list of stencils I used in the video:

6”x6”

• Pretty as a Peacock by Andrea Matus DeMeng
• Text and Texture Discovery and Text and Texture Transform by Seth Apter

9”x12”

• Map Stencil by Mary C. Nasser
• Scribble Scratch Handwriting Stencil and Ladders Stencil by Carolyn Dube
• Wolf by Roxanne Coble
• Deconstructed Floral Bouquet by Traci Bautista

Supplies + Tools:

• Acrylic paints
• Black modeling paste + palette knife
• White cardstock + scrap paper
• Gelatin plate + rubber brayer
• Sponge
• Assortment of paint pens
• Optional: Paper trimmer, corner rounder

REFERENCE TUTORIAL: Add a spinning color wheel to your art journal

STEP 1 // TRIM PAPER TO SIZE

Trim the cardstock to 8.5 inches x 5.5 inches.

(These jumbo tags fit nice and snuggly in my handmade art journal!)

Round the corners using a corner punch.

STEP 2// CREATE GELLI PRINTS LOADED WITH CONTRAST

In the video, I share three different ways you can add contrast to your artwork using:

• Shape
• Texture
• Color (complementary)

Adding contrast instantly gives you visual impact, adds drama, and helps make your work memorable.

Shape (and size) are simple ways to add a punch of contrast to your artwork.

In the first example, I used a large stencil designed with a variety of floral-inspired shapes. Some of the organic shapes had flowy curves and the other shapes were more jagged and geometric.

This particular stencil is a great example of how you can use those big, open areas, in contrast, by placing them near smaller elements.

Texture play and exploration is another great way to add contrast. Try creating a print using the grungy, dried up paint that's been left over on your gelli plate.  

TIP! Don't worry about cleaning your plate in between pulls. The extra color and texture will transfer onto your next print giving you some really cool, unexpected results!

In the video I also explained how you can use graffiti or your scribbly handwriting as a fun way to play with texture. (If you're familiar with my artwork, you know I love me some graffiti!!)

Contrast with complementary colors is one of my secret weapons! Creating contrast with color is one of the easiest ways to introduce a visual interest in your art.

If you ever get stuck and don't know what color to add, try a complementary color to make things more interesting.

When you're layering the two colors, just make sure the first color is completely dry  before introducing the second color. Following this rule will help you prevent muddy colors.

STEP 3// ADD MORE LAYERS!

These jumbo gelli tags aren't called JUMBO for nothing!

Go ahead and overload your gelli prints with multiple layers of stenciling, scribbly journaling, and modeling paste scraped through your stencils.

TIP! Immediately rinse off the modeling paste from your stencils before it dries.

I keep a large container of water near my work table so I can just drop the stencil right in there.

Not properly rinsing them off is a surefire way to alter or, permanently destroy, the intricate designs in the stencil.

STEP 4// OPTIONAL:  ADD TAGS TO ART JOURNAL WITH WASHI TAPE

Other ways you can use your Jumbo Gelli Journal Tags (whoa! try saying that three times, fast!):

• Tip-ins for your art journal
• Journaling trading cards
• Put them on your vision board
• Collage them into larger paintings

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Thanks for visiting us today! I hope you enjoyed my process of creating these super fun and colorful JUMBO tags!

Share your projects with us!

Tag @stencilgirl_products and @MarticeSmithArt on Instagram or use the hashtag #stencilgirl

To learn more about Martice and her mixed-media art tutorials,

follow her inspiration trail on Instagram  @MarticeSmithArt.