A Little Imagination and a Pile of Junk

stencil ideas

Recently, I've been asked where in the world we find all these great stencils?? Just in case there was anyone else wondering the same thing, I decided to just do a post about it. First, let me assure you of one thing. You could not possibly live in an area with less cool stuff available than I do. So those of us who do not have excellent supplies available to us or can't spend the money or don't want to: we have to use our imaginations. Imagine that!

Here is a list of great sources for finding/making stencils.

1. In my humble opinion, the best stencils are the ones you make yourself. Thankfully, there are lots of ways to do this including what I described in my recent post which is basically how to make a stencil out of a photograph.
2. Clipart - The million-and-one clipart collections are great and many of them have copyright free images or images you can use in your art as long as you don't mass produce them. If you don't have one of these collections, there is tons of clipart online. So, search for flowers, birds, trees, or whatever and chose images which might make good stencils. Bold images with fewer details are best. Remember you are only concerned with the contour of the image. It doesn't matter what the image itself looks like because you are just using the form of it. Once you've done a few of these you'll know exactly what to look for. Next, save the image, size it to fit your project, and print it out on cardstock, a cut down file folder or even a transparency. Use a fine exacto knife with a new blade to cut along the outline of the image. After printing the image, you can also transfer the image to your chosen surface to cut out if you don't want to run it through your printer. Remember you can use both the positive and negative images as stencils so don't throw anything away!
3. Rubber and foam stamps - Simply stamp your image onto your cardstock and cut it out with an exacto knife. You don't have to cut out every detail. If the image is too small, scan it, resize it in Photoshop, then print and cut out. Foam stamps work perfectly. Note: many rubber stamp companies that have angel policies for use of their images in work for sale do not include mechanical or digital manipulation of the image. You will need to check with the individual stamp vendor before using these in art for sale.
4. Patterned paper - I used to cut out individual designs from patterned paper a lot when I scrapbooked and I always kept the paper with the negative image to use as a stencil later. I keep a bag full of these.
5. Making a repeated pattern - I haven't done this myself, so I can't tell you how to do it, but I know that you can take a clipart or stamped image and make it into a repeating pattern in Photoshop, so instead of one bird, you have a page of birds. If anyone knows how to do it, I'd love to know!
6. Home decorating stores - Stenciling is popular in home decor and you can find larger and more ornate stencils at home decorating stores, some paint stores, and even the home department in a general store like Walmart or Target.
7. Look around you - Things you might already have that make great stencils: paper doilies, sequin waste, lace, plastic mesh bags that fruit sometimes comes in, leaves & dried flowers, punched shapes, filmstrip, anything that has holes in it--keep your eyes open!
8. Online - Google "free stencils" and you will find sites with printable stencils for you to download. There are artists who make stencils and post them for you to enjoy although how you can use them in your own work varies so check the Read Me file for details.
9. Heidi Swapp masks - For some silly reason, this feels like giving away my big juicy secret, but Heidi Swapp masks are some of my favorite stencils. Actually, a mask is just the opposite of a stencil as it covers the positive instead of negative space. She has some wonderful floral designs, etc. Whenever the new scrapbooking products come out after the first of the year, I Google "Heidi Swapp masks" to find an online store that has all of them in stock and then I buy them up. Sometimes it is hard to find them all in one place, but keep looking. This last line she released had a wonderful branch and bird image that I love. Some of the early line was cheesy but there are great ones too. As long as you are looking up Heidi Swapp products, check out the Ghost shapes, frames, and alphabets. They also work great as stencils and give you lots of flexibility in their placement.
10. Everywhere else - sometimes you can find great stencils at boring old craft stores. Just keep checking around and keep an open mind.

These should get you started or maybe even keep you busy for a long time. And Michelle Ward had even more cool ideas here.

And since I can't have a post without a picture. I'll leave you with my 6 year old's latest artwork. This morning he woke up needing paper cups, plates, napkins to make weapons. I guess inspiration hit in the middle of the night. Anyway, this is what he came up with. Isn't it fabulous?? The cup thing is a pirate hook. The plate fits on his hand like a puppet but he hasn't decided on a name for it yet.

 

tutorial: self-portrait stencil

I am soooo excited about this one. Please do try it, especially you journal artists. It is a lot more fun than you'd think to manipulate images of yourself. Although I make stencils a lot, it had never occurred to me to do a self-portrait until I read Randi Feuerhelm-Watts' brilliant book, Wide Open. If you don't have her book, go get it today. So many inspiring ideas! Okay, let's get to it.

Materials you need:

• Clear photograph of yourself, preferably a self-portrait
• Photoshop, PE (Photoshop Elements), or other photo editing software.
• Exacto knife with new sharp blades (this is essential if you don't want to be cursing yourself through this project.)
• A self-healing mat is nice and makes cutting much easier (you don't have to have a huge one). I've also heard of using a piece of glass to cut on, but I'd cut my finger off for sure. Note: rotary cutting mats are not self-healing. They work okay, but not as nicely as the self-healing mats.
• Cardstock  or other material for your template. Cardstock is easy, but a file folder, inkjet transparency (assuming you have an inkjet printer), thin plastic used to make stencils (you can find them with the stencils at craft stores), and really thin chipboard all work well, too. Plain copy paper will work but it won't last as long. You need something thick enough to hold cut details well, but thin enough to run through your printer. I suppose photo paper or smooth watercolor paper would work, too.  Note: you can run just about anything that is flat, can be cut down to 8.5 x 11 or smaller, and isn't sticky through your printer, including fabric--trust me, I've tried it all and never had a problem.
• Dye ink pad and cosmetic sponge or acrylic paint with sponge brush.
• Plain paper to test on.

Making the Stencil

1. The first thing you need to do is to select a good photograph. Not necessarily "good" as in flattering, but "good" as in the image makes a good stencil. Finding the perfect one takes some time. Be patient and have fun. You may have to digitally manipulate several photos before deciding which one would make the best stencil. You're looking for clear definition and not too many details.
2. Once you find the right photograph, you need to simplify and turn it into b&w in Photoshop or PE. Although another program might work, I can only show you how on these. I'm sorry, but I have no pictures for this part. I can't find my original picture. Somehow I must have deleted it or something.)
3. Scan or pull up the digital photo in Photoshop. Disclaimer: I am no expert here, I just know what has worked for me not necessarily the only/best way to do it. Everything I know, I've figured out myself.
4. Apply the "Note Paper" filter to your photo: Filter/Sketch/Note Paper.  Then reduce the Relief by sliding the slider bar to the left all the way to zero. Click Okay.



5. Next, change your image to black & white and simplify it a bit: Image/Adjustments/Threshold. (For PE: Filter/Adjustments/Threshold.) This will turn your photo completely white. In the pop up box, slide the bar to the right until you begin to see your image reemerge. Move the slider back and forth until you get a clear image with as few details as possible while still being recognizable.



6. Remember: Everything that is Black you will be cutting away. Don't worry about the background b/c we aren't interested in it. And you also don't need to include every detail (clothes, hair, etc.) when you actually cut your stencil.
7. Once your image looks kinda like what could be a stencil, and you like it, click Okay.
8. At this point, you can use the Eraser Tool to remove some of the background or any details that are distracting to you if you'd like. The simpler for cutting the better.



9. Finally, Save your document immediately! And put your cardstock in the printer now.
10. Decide approximately how large you want your stencil to be. Too small will be more difficult to cut but it doesn't have to be huge. What about 4x6? 6x8? or 8x10? Fill the whole page?
11. Print your stencil: File/Print With Preview. Adjust Height and/or Width. Click Print then Okay.

Cutting the Stencil

1. This is the easy and not so easy part. Before making any cuts, look over your image and tell yourself out loud (multiple times if necessary): Everything Black will be cut away. Cut away all of the Black parts only. (You will be cutting away the positive space, but if knowing that just confuses you, forget it now.)
2. As you cut, go slow and pay attention to important details like eyes, nose, etc. You want to cut out the basic image not every single detail. It does not have to be perfect to make a great stencil. Go along the basic contour of the image as you cut.



3. Once all the black is cut away, you'll need to try out your stencil.  On some scrap paper, hold the stencil firmly in place (or use a very low tack--sticky--tape to keep it in place and sponge ink through the openings of the stencil. At this point, make sure all the corners, etc. are filled with ink so you get the most accurate impression. (Later, try out how few areas you need to stencil to get an interesting image.) If you need to make adjustments to the stencil, do it now and then make another print until you get an image you like.

 

4. Ta-da! You did it. Is that not super cool or what?? Next you will want to hunt down photos of all your family members, and your dog, and maybe that cool sign or building you photographed last week....
5. Try out all the cool things you can do with your stencils.

Of course, you can make any kind of stencil you want. You can use clipart designs, hand drawn images, or any object to make a stencil, but the purpose of this exercise is to use a picture of yourself. If you don't already use self-portraits in your artwork or journaling, do it, regardless of how you feel about the way you look. Purposefully try out unflattering pictures to show yourself it is okay not to be perfect. How can you be truly real in your journals if you aren't real, or just don't want to document, this?? For more encouragement, read Randi's book (link above). But the thing she wrote that stuck with me the most about self-portraits was this: Don't be afraid of what you see, that is what everyone else sees every day. So, what the heck? Just do it. Seeing pictures of yourself more often will get you used to it and maybe one day, you'll love what you see. (I'm preaching to myself here, too.)

I really hope you try this out, but as a gift of appreciation for all my time and effort (just joking) you have to send me a picture of your stencil or how you used your stenciled image. I would also appreciate feedback on the tutorial itself. Is it clear or confusing? Too much information or too little? Inaccurate? Otherwise helpful or unhelpful? And if you have any questions, just email me or leave it in the comments.

And check back, because I'm also putting together a tutorial on how I paint/stamp my papers, envelopes & file folders. See pictures here and here.

Thanks. This has  been fun. ;-)

Art Tip #2

I originally had hopes of posting arts/crafts tips to my blog every once in a while, but like many of my grandiose ideas...well, you know what happens. I'm going to give it another shot, though, and thought I'd start with Cheap Tricks, which is also the theme for Michelle Ward's Crusade #8. My tip is this: don't think that you have to have expensive art supplies to make "real" art. Top quality products are great but, let's face it, the term "starving artist" didn't come from no where. When you feel compelled to create, you've got to use what you can find or afford. So here's a little secret: Art products made for kids rock!!! There are so many products made for kids which are awesome resources, particularly for journalers and anyone else who makes art on the go.  Here are two of my new favorite things.

1. Crayola Slick Stix - These are very similar to oil pastels but way more creamy and smooth. They are not really meant to blend as well but you can't beat no mess on your hands, portable, and cheap (about $5). What I love most about these is that they dry completely without leaving the oily residue of oil pastels and--are you ready?--you can write over them! Joy in a twist tube. The only thing they need now are sets of 48 colors. Here's a background for journaling I made using them.

2. Blow pens - You just blow through the tube for your own mini airbrush! This set is particularly cool because it has a Magic Blo-pen Activator that turns each color into a new one. Lots of versatility. I've seen them bigger, but these are a perfect size for sticking in my already fat art bag.

Here's another background. They are super fun to use with stencils and masks.

And there are so many more.  But here is one more important tip: if you have kids, buy two of everything. It is so much easier to give them their own set then trying to explain why they can't borrow your cool art supplies. And since they're cheap, no problem.

• Air dry clay in natural colors like terra cotta
• Sidewalk paint!
• Cool effect markers
• Paint brush pens

Art Tip #1

One of the most frustrating things for an artist to have to do is to stop working in the middle of a creative burst of energy. To keep yourself in that creative zone, even when life is calling you back to reality, make sure that you take your break or stop your work for the day while you are in the middle of a task and the ideas are still flowing. Often, we like to come to a nice neat stopping point, wait until when we can't think of which direction to go next, or even tidy up our workspace until the next work session, but this can actually interrupt the natural creative flow of ideas. When you stop in the middle of a task before you've run out of ideas and eventually do get the chance to return to your work, you can more easily pick up where you left off, stimulating those creative juices again. This is especially helpful when our busy lives prevent us from having the kind of time to create art that we want and we simply have to take whatever we can get when a few minutes here and there become available. 

For example, say I am cutting out paper dolls and coloring them. I will try to take a break once all the dolls are cut but I still have a few left to color. This way, when I return to my desk, I don't have to think too much about starting over again from nothing but can quickly get back into the flow of things by picking up where I left off. By the time I finish coloring the rest of my paper dolls, I am more likely to have picked up cues from my previous work which will stimulate ideas on where to go next. Try turning on the same music you were listing to during your last session and you will be surprised how quickly you can return to that magical place of creativity as if you had never even left!