Painting with Wall Stencils

In this video, we are going to learn how to paint patterns using a wall stencil

It's a simple, inexpensive and practical method to decorate and personalise a wall

On top of this, wall stencils have the added benefit of being reusable

There is a huge variety of patterns and sizes available. And if you cannot find the particular stencil you are looking for, it's always possible to create your own

You can use the stencil in any way you like: to create one single pattern, a frieze, or in staggered rows.

Painting a stencil, as with any painting projects, will require you to properly protect your floor and skirting board with a canvas sheet or tarpaulin. You will also need to make sure that your wall is smooth and clean

Begin by determining where you would like to position your stencil

Place the stencil against the wall and mark the position at which you want to place it using a pencil or washable marker. You can use a spirit level to make sure that your stencil is level

Here we will use an adhesive stencil. Place it making sure that it is well stuck against the wall. Smooth it down by hand or using a sponge. The more complex the pattern on the stencil, the more delicate you will have to be when sticking it to the wall

Then, apply masking tape to the edges of the stencil to ensure that it is firmly held in place

To paint, choose a paint which is specially adapted to painting stencils, or a thick acrylic paint

Equip yourself with a stencil brush or a foam roller

The brush will give you a shaded, or cloudy effect, while the foam roller will give a more uniform, modern effect

Put your paint in a plastic tray or on a piece of card

Take a bit of paint on the end of your brush and gently dab it on the card, to ensure that the brush is evenly, but not excessively, coated.

Keep the paintbrush straight when painting and using a light dabbing action so as not to crush the brush's hairs, or fibres.

Straight from the edges of the pattern working toward the centre of the stencil

Once the stencil is completely filled with paint, Leave it to dry for around 5 minutes

Clean your stencil before re-using it. To do this, place it flat and wipe away any paint on it using a damp sponge. Clean from top to bottom to avoid damaging the pattern

To apply paint using a foam roller, coat the roller evenly in a very thin layer of paint, and roll it once over a piece of card until it is virtually dry

Apply the paint to the stencil pressing only very lightly

By going over certain parts you can achieve a shaded effect.