7 Unbelievably Easy Stenciling Techniques

7 Unbelievably Easy Stenciling Techniques

Hello, you beautiful creative genius, you!

You're artfully invited to flex your creative muscles + learn how to stencil like a pro!
(I promise, you'll never wanna stop playing in the acrylics after learning these bad boy techniques.)

"It's a great resource for absolute beginners to intermediate-level stencil lovers!"

I'm all about helping artists + creatives catapult their work to the next level. If you ever find yourself stuck on what to do next or if you think "there's something missing in this painting" but don't know what that "thing" is, please give stenciling a try. Clickety click to join the fun!

Imagine yourself:

** Being more adventurous with your mark-making
** Developing your signature, knock-out color combos
** Learning the process + sequence of steps to creating playful, intuitive art with a whole new toolbox of art supplies!

'7 Unbelievably Easy Stenciling Techniques' eBook by Martice Smith Fine Art + Design

PRE-ORDER my new e-book NOW for only $9.

E-Book release date will be on Sept. 25th! I’ll send a link directly to your email with access to download the e-book. 

In this e-book, you will learn how to:

• Master 7 in-depth stenciling techniques to transform your work from “blah” to “BAM!” 
• Create simple, loose + colorful backgrounds full of charm, whimsy + wonder
• Use stencils with confidence on a Gelli plate
• Demystify color theory to avoid creating dull colors

Lock in these BONUSES + the OMG! ridiculous price with your purchase*:

• 1-on-1, 30-min. play session with Martice via Zoom video** ($40 value)
• Surprise! You're automatically entered to win a paper pack of 6 unique stenciled papers from Martice, in her signature style! ($12 value)

*BONUSES disappear on Sept. 16th, at the stroke of midnight, CST.

**Video session only available for the first 5 people to purchase 

Thank you soooo much for joining me on this crazy fun + colorful adventure!

NEW VIDEO: Jumbo Gelli Printed Tags

I'm at it again, friends...

NEW VIDEO ALERT!!

I had the great honor of being a guest designer, again, over on the Stencil Girl blog and was so happy to be able to create these tags for my art journals.


In this video, I'm sharing 3 ways to add contrast in your artworks using: SHAPE, TEXTURE + COLOR.


Watch me play with stencils on the Gelli Arts Gel Printing Plate to create JUMBO gelli tags for my art journal!

3 ways to add contrast in your artworks using: SHAPE, TEXTURE + COLOR. Watch along as I create these JUMBO gelli tags for my art journal!

**Also, please some me love by leaving a "thumbs up" + SUBSCRIBE to receive notifications when I upload new videos!**

Link to watch the video >> https://bit.ly/JumboGelliTags2

Catch the written tutorial of Jumbo Gelli Printed Tags over on the StencilGirl Talk blog.

Thank you lovelies!
xo, Martice

NEW VIDEO: Creating a Layered Monoprint with RubberMoon Stencils

Hello creative lovelies!

Today, I’m giving you behind-the-scenes access to watch exactly how I create my super fun backgrounds.

Armed with only a handful of supplies, you get to watch my every move as I build up layers of color and texture, create a sense of depth + sprinkle everything with some hand lettering.

By the end of this video, you’ll feel more confident to approach the blank page or canvas, equipped with a bunch of easy to apply techniques to your own masterpieces.

LINK TO VIDEO* > > https://youtu.be/g-eE_eBeM8g

*Subscribe to receive a notification when I upload a new video! ;-)

RubberMoon Stencils:

• Months and Numbers Planner Pack of Stencils
• Kae Pea Paper Lanterns Stencil

Supplies + Tools used:

• Paper to print on (white cardstock)
• Acrylic paints (Titanium White, Sap Green, Cerulean Blue)
• Gelatin plate + Rubber brayer
• Sponge
• Craft mat or paint palette

::Project steps::

STEP 1// Create a monoprint using a stencil and a gelatin printing plate.

STEP 2// Apply second color; Pull second print

STEP 3// Stencil directly onto pulled print
Using acrylics and a cosmetic sponge, hold the stencil in place with one hand as you pounce the acrylic paint onto the stencil. (A sponge allows you to have more control and to help you vary your pressure.)

Remember to pounce off excess paint to prevent seepage under your stencil.


STEP 4// Journal with paint pens + embellish!
Add dots, lines and repeat shapes from stencil design.

There is no wrong way of doing this - just have fun, make bold color moves and enjoy the process of experimenting!

----

I hope you enjoyed my video on creating textured backgrounds enhanced with RubberMoon stencils.
xo Martice

Belladonna inspiration and Yummilicious collage papers

Hey hey, lovelies!
I LOVE going for early morning meditation walks. During my walk yesterday, I saw these gorgeous Belladonna lilies and quickly took a photo of them to share with you + I knew they would inspire me to play, once I got back in the studio...

Even though portions of these flowers are wilting, I find beauty in it all.

** Do you see how the centers of the lilies resemble mini suns? 
** Take a closer look: notice the subtle change of bubblegum pink color fading into a warm tan color as the flower wilts away.
** the grass is dead YET these are still blooming!

Perfect example of how WE should find ways to THRIVE in less than ideal circumstances.

Belladonna Lilies; Color palette inspiration from my nature walk

Side note: I just realized these compliment my sizzlin' Summer colors! Hmmm, makes me wonder if I could be looking for these colors, subconsciously...

Back in the studio, I imported my picture into Photoshop. I selected 5 colors directly from the picture (using the eyedropper tool), to create my own color palette. 

My idea was to design a collection of collage papers ONLY using these colors + white. Ha! Not as hard as I thought it would be!

Guess what? There will be an awesome collection of these yummilicous papers, so keep watch!

 (Better yet, you should join my MUSELetter to know when they're released.)

Each collage paper overflows with intricate stamp + stencil detailing, abstract shapes, patterns, doodling, mantras + of course, it wouldn't be me if it didn't have bold COLOR IMPACT!

Take a look at this one on my desk...

Yummilicious Collage Papers by Martice Smith II

For these collage papers, I mixed my own colors, using: DecoArt Media Fluid acrylics:
Pyrrole Orange
Vermilion
Quinacridone Magenta

DecoArt Americana acrylics:
Banana Cream
Dragon Fruit
Yellow Ochre 

other tools: 
8"x10" Gelli Arts® - Gel Printing Plate
Handmade Foam Stamps and Printing Plates (click to see tutorial!)

Enjoy the sunshine + inspire yourself! Happy creating :)

Handmade Foam Stamps and Printing Plates

Ever wonder how to create your own printing plates for printmaking? What about designing unique foam stamps? If so, I have just the tutorial, for you!

Learn how to make your own stamps in under 5 minutes with BASIC supplies. Seriously, you probably have these things around the house...somewhere.

Unleash your creativity by adding layers of patterns and textures to your art!
(The full tutorial has been published over on the Creating Mixed Media Art website.)

Handmade Foam Stamps and Printing Plates

Basic supplies you will need: 
• a sturdy backing, like cardboard
• scissors
• craft foam (you can get this at your local craft supply store; I purchased mine from a Dollar Tree.
  A package of 20 sheets for $1!)

After working through this new tutorial, you will have created one-of-a-kind collage backgrounds using handmade foam stamps and printing them on delicate surfaces and baby wipes. (Yup, baby wipes...clean ones only ;-)

Handmade Foam Stamps & Printing Plates | full tutorial RIGHT HERE 

Monoprinting Madness!

I had so much fun with this creative prompt that I forgot to take pictures, yesterday! I bet you know how that is...I don't like having to stop in the middle of my flow to document my progress.

Sometimes, I wish I could *blink* my eyes to take a photo...if only it was that easy!

These monoprints were created using pages from a phone book and acrylic paints on a homemade gelli plate and file folder. 

Do you recognize any of the tools I used here? ( HINT: I showed them off in yesterday's prompt... )

I LOVE grungy textures!! I like the repetition of circles and the positive and negative shapes from my punchinella stencil.

In the next monoprint, I used a technique called "sgraffito"...it's one of my favorite ways to bring focus to my handwriting.

The first layer of acrylic paint is Pthalo blue. The second layer is Primary Yellow and the final layer is white tempera paint. (Each layer was nearly dry before adding the next. I like when the colors blend! That's how that fresh green color was created.)

I used an angled end of a paintbrush to scratch into the wet paint. The Pthalo blue paint is revealed through the white paint. This technique is called "sgraffito".

"Seal Your Destiny with FAITH"

detail of "Seal Your Destiny with FAITH". Look at those subtle shifts in color!

My next monoprint happened COMPLETELY by accident! I discovered a new way to use the sgraffito technique as a stamping technique as well. Serendipitous!! Here's what happened: 

I was doing the sgraffito technique that I just explained, above, and I set my print down by a fan. The wind blew the page across the floor and it landed (painted side down) on top of another sheet of paper. 

At first, I was irritated because I thought my sgraffito had been ruined. BUT, when I pulled the two sheets of paper apart, I could see that my handwriting created a "negative image" (or outline)!!!! I WAS IN LOVE!!   

my "happy accident"; I created a new way to use sgraffito as a stamping technique!

Aww man, monoprinting madness has set in!! You know I had to make a few more, right?  :)

For the next monoprint, I used brown kraft paper, some vintage lace, and Krylon spray paints. ( the blue one is another example of the sgraffito technique )

I used the lace as a stencil for the monoprint on the left. The monoprint on the right reads "Yes, Your Story Matters"

(Side note: this post has been added to the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge #2: Around the House)


Thanks for looking! Day 3: Hot Glue Stencil is up next...