Simple stencilled backgrounds

Hi all,

Niamh here from very wet and windy Tasmania! We are just coming out of winter in the Southern Hemisphere and I am desperately looking for some vibrant colours to brighten up my days. This super simple background made me so happy and very much looking towards Spring! 

I started in my large dylusions journal with laying down scribble sticks in patches all over the page. Any water soluble crayons would work for this (in fact - any bright mediums - I just used scribble sticks). I then water activated the crayons by spritzing over water and (because it's me) blending the colours with my fingers. What you end up with is an almost patchwork background. 

As I am not a fan of very blocky backgrounds, my secret trick is to use a large stencil (in this case: Magic Garden Mask) over the whole surface. This has two benefits, first you have a unifying image over the surface, and secondly, by using white, you can calm down some very crazy backgrounds very quickly. Another reason I used the water-soluble media is because by using white gesso over the top, you end up with patches of pure white, and patches of pastel colours where the pigment mixes with the gesso. This gives you a much softer and more interesting effect.

After I finished stencilling with paint, I added some mark making stamps over the top of the page - while the stencil was still in place. This gives you the effect of just stamping onto the stencilled parts of the image - and creates a bit of a visual brain teaser working out how it was done!

After creating my background - I decided to finish off my page with crazy collage and a quote. It just made me happy, which is one of the benefits of journalling to begin with!

Hope you have a go at doing something similar. It's a blast, plus you can use any stencil you like and you will change to overall effect. Win, win!!! Here is a video of me putting the whole piece together: 

Stencil Used: Magic Garden Mask

Happy Creating,

Niamh

@niamhbaly (IG/YouTube)

@niamhsartjournal (FB)

StencilClub Reveal for April 2020: Mark Making by Cat Kerr

StencilGirl® is delighted to reveal Cat Kerr's first-ever StencilClub set! She designed it based on some of her favorite marks for use in her art journal and mixed media art.

The large 9"x12" stencil includes 6 motifs long lines with zig-zags and dots that overflow into their own area, brackets, random Xs marking spots upon spots, lines with straight tracks, and a section of lines with half-drops.

The receding pattern of the mini 4"x4" stencil draws the eye inward while the somewhat bird-footed tracks of the small 6"x6" stencil are headed right to left or up and down.

Here's Cat to tell you all about her designs exclusively for StencilClub members.

Are you ready for StencilClub?! In addition to the stencils on April 15th, you'll receive a StencilClub Newsletter with the project video and PDF Cat made especially for members, as well as access to our art community on Facebook, a monthly loyalty coupon, and other perks. 

You can find out more and join.

BONUS! Cat has made an extra video extra you can enjoy right now that showcases the versatility of these stencils used alone and in combination as a background.

These stencils ship out April 15th!

You can join StencilClub HERE.

Click here for stencils in the public collection designed by Cat Kerr.