Stenciling is back in vogue, adding beauty and a ”personal touch” to walls in ways that plain old paint and common wallpaper can`t do. This charming form of surface decoration is simply applied by brushing paint, stain or dye through the cutout openings of a pattern.
Historians have found evidence of stencil designs dating back to the Egyptians in 2500 B.C. During the Middle Ages, the French added sparkled decorations through stencils to their wallpaper, books, fabrics and playing cards. In Europe of the late 16th and 17th Centuries, stenciling appeared in the homes of the wealthy. At this time, the early emigrants arrived in America. Longing for the color and ornamentation of their native lands, yet usually too poor to afford wallpaper (which was then rare and expensive), they created their own lovely borders, stripes and stylized motifs directly on whitewashed plaster. They cut their own stencils and mixed their own paints from crude materials such as lampblack diluted with rum and water, earth clays or brick dust powder mixed with skim milk.
The masterpieces of these early American homemakers can still be seen in many old New England houses and churches. Popular placement of stenciling included the tops of walls (directly below the ceiling line or crown moldings), the bottoms of walls (above the wooden baseboards), along chair rails, around window and door frames (and on the doors themselves), around picture frames, on cornices and outlining fireplaces.
Today, stenciling is easier than ever and also inexpensive, thanks to modern materials available in crafts stores. Our search for supplies led to a line of products called Stencil Decor (manufactured by Plaid Enterprises of Norcross, Ga.), available at Lee Wards and other crafts stores. The company produces pre-cut, heavy-duty matte Mylar stencils with names such as Strawberry Basket and Hedgerow Hearts (they look just like they sound) and Country Gentleman (a repeating line of ducks, deer and hunting dogs).
There are also numerous floral pattens, curlicues and nursery patterns of teddy bears and other cute creatures. These stencils cost about $1.80 a pack and can be used individually or repetitively to create a border. Or you can get a long sheet of pre-cut border stencils (about $9).
Stencil Decor paints come in a great variety of colors. Jars of the special drip-resistant paint are priced at approximately $2.30 for a 2-ounce jar or $1 for a 1-ounce jar of ”accent” color. Matte finish spray paint is also available (about $3 for a 6-ounce can). Boar bristle stencil brushes (the brushes are densely packed for rigorous use on hard surfaces) come in varying sizes and cost $3-$4 for a set of four. Beginners seeking even easier application may want to try the oil-based wax crayons (about $7 for a starter set).
Suppose you want to fashion your own stencils rather than using pre-cut forms. You`ll need a special cutting surface such as a Corning Ware cutting board; an X-Acto knife (a No. 11 blade is good) or single-edged razor blade;
and thick cardboard or stencil board. A template and goose-necked magnifying glass may also be helpful. Cutting must be done very slowly with a super-sharp knife.
To borrow a motif, you can trace a design on onionskin and then use carbon paper to transfer it to your cardboard or stencil paper. We also learned of a material called ”photo-frisket film” (available at Pat`s Hobbies & Crafts Inc., 5730 W. 95th St., Oak Lawn; 424-6131), which was described as ”plastic film with an adhesive on the back–you cut out the shape you want, stick it on the wall and fill in the outline with color.”
(This can be purchased in 8-by-10-inch sheets or long rolls.)
Obviously, there are many advantages to using the pre-cut stencils, particularly for repetitive border designs. Even the most talented artist may find it challenging to duplicate precise shapes and placement of the shapes. The pre-cut stencils come with dotted cutting lines, registration marks and centering lines to help you apply the designs neatly to your surface. Plus, the Mylar stencils can be easily cleaned with rubbing alcohol (for water-based paints) or mineral spirits (for oil-based paints) to remove traces of one paint color before re-use with another color. (By the way, don`t forget that you will need a different clean brush to apply each color.)
Of course, you will want to practice stenciling scraps of wood or cardboard before tackling your walls. Your paint should be thoroughly mixed and have the consistency of heavy cream for ideal application. If too thick or gummy, oil-based paint can be thinned with a drop of bristle cleaner or turpentine; water-based paints can be thinned with rubbing alcohol.
Try to load the paint on the center of the brush while keeping the outside bristles as free from paint as possible. To do this, try putting the tip of the brush into the paint and twisting as if you were driving in a screw. Then use paper towels to carefully wipe off most of the paint. Holding the brush as you would a pencil, use a light, circular motion to apply the paint to the surface, starting on the stencil itself and moving into the cut- out area.
If your brush accidentally goes off or underneath the stencil and leaves stray paint marks on the wall, use an Artists Vita (gray) or Magic Rub drafting eraser to remove the marks. Don`t use a regular pencil eraser as it will leave red streaks on your wall. If the paint streak can`t be erased, retouch the smudged area with a little of the background paint used in the room. When that`s dry, you can go back and fill in any spots you missed on the stencil design.
Sound easy enough? According to Sid Borden at the Institute of Lettering in Design in Chicago, ”There`s nothing to it!” He didn`t sound surprised when told that no one in the area seemed to offer lessons in this decorative hobby. ”Anyone with patience can do it,” he said. Sources at crafts stores agreed and pointed us in the direction of comprehensive ”how-to” books such as ”The Complete Book of Wall Stenciling” by Jane Gauss (published by Plaid Enterprises, sold at crafts stores). We also discovered Stenciling Quarterly magazine, packed with helpful hints and lists of custom stencil suppliers
(subscription rate is $14 a year; write to Stenciling Quarterly, 6405 Atlantic Blvd., Norcross, Ga. 30071).
We did find one place offering stenciling classes. St. Xavier`s College, 3700 W. 103d St., is offering two sessions of the one-evening course. The first meets from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 6; the other meets from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Nov. 9. The $15 fee includes paints, brushes, wood and stencils. (Bring your own pencil, ruler and a piece of pre-washed, light-colored fabric.) For information, call 779-3300.
Also check with sales personnel at these area craft stores, which carry stenciling supplies: World of Molds, 17 W. 778 Armitage Ave., Villa Park
(832-4501); Brighton Park Art & Hobby Centre, 4238 S. Archer Ave.
(523-3334); Tom Thumb Crafts Center, 1026 Davis St., Evanston (869-9575);
and Lee Wards stores in major shopping malls.
