How to use stencils with watercolours | 8 different ideas 

I have used pan pastels applied through stencils using a small makeup sponge. The result was crisp but soft. Also, it worked to blend colors and to create transitions between colors.

Wonderful video Liz - Thank you! Only other thing to add is turning over stencil to the “dirty” side to use as a (distressed) stamp.

Thick Gel medium gives a great result too, because it will give the texture and the watercolor can be wiped off easy. Or mixed in the gel offcourse. Lovely video!

Hi Liz, so good to know that I am not the only mucky pup around. One suggestion is using a metal eraser shield to apply or lift small repeat shapes on your work and another is to make your own stencils from milk cartons and margarine tubs. Easy to do as long as you use a very sharp craft knife or scalpel and good fun. Thanks for a great video that made me laugh.

Never thought of stencils with watercolor, fantastic idea really! Well done letting us know! Thanks! Hugz, Tree

Thank you so much. I was so having a tough time using them in my art.

I have used stencils with a fineliner to have outlines, wetted gently the inner part and used Brusho. Also used watercolour crayons to colour in stencils with/without wetting them- my grandsons love doing this. It’s fun just playing!

You could also use a candle to apply white wax through the stencil….will act as a resist to the paint.

Brilliant thank you; I will have to have a go at this.

This is brilliant…and a grand way to share art making with children. I can’t wait to share it with my 6 year old and 12 year old grandchildren. How wonderful to overcome their inhibitions about their drawing by introducing this to show them they can create beautiful art.

So very much to learn! I have always stenciled in one way or another since I was a child in school, now I can use it Artistically! Thanks Karen Dirmish

Stencilling is fun, but cutting them out - not so much! I did a bit of stencilling when I was studying art a couple of years ago. I went back to studying art at a local college during later lockdowns in Scotland. I started painting again during the earlier days of lockdown for something to do when there was nowhere to go. I ended up with an HNC in Fine Art and I just graduated with an HND in Fine Art! One of the things we had to do during the HNC year was stencilling, specifically cutting our own stencils (I also used the bits of card leftover from the small sculpture lessons). I liked to use mine to do some relief printing. Arrange your pieces or stencils on some paper - or inside your sketchbook (the top sheet/page will be where you'll actually print) and lay another sheet on top (or the page!). Ink up a brayer or roller and roll it over the top of the paper. The stencil design underneath will eventually show through. You can move the stencils around and do multiple layers in different colours, too. If you don't have any block printing ink, acrylic or gouache would work fine, though you might want to either loosen it ever so slightly with a small amount of water or an extender medium if you have one so it doesn't dry too quickly as you're working.

Thanks for sharing! My first attempt to use a sponge was a fail. I’ve learned a lot today.

Great video! I love using stencils with watercolor (also because I don’t like acrylics 😬). Sometimes I like the look, when some watercolor creeps under the stencil. It’s true, you don’t have an exact impression of the stencil. But I can look really charming, in my opinion 😊

I used to make cards using stamps and stencils. I’m now a hobbyist watercolorist. You’ve given me ideas on using stencils in my watercolor paintings. I need to practice this before I take the plunge on a finished piece of artwork. Thank you.

Thank you! I love the gold leaf.

Great video, I'm thinking about Christmas cards 🤔😁

Thank you for doing this. I've learned so much ! Can't wait for my modeling paste to arrive so I can see how it performs with my stencils,..

What a marvellous video. Loads to like even with the mishaps 🤪

love it. you're giving me ideas of starting my illustrated journal 😊

Venetian plaster works well with watercolors

Great video Liz. Lots of great ideas. Thx very much. 🥰💕🐶💕🥰

I love the look that the modeling paste gives! I have only got the one stencil which has a "finer" (less open) pattern that the ones you used. I tried using it with Brusho, which didn't work, but I guess it could work with a more open stencil - the same way as you used the mica powder.

Point taken, I won’t sit on my artwork! 🤣

I have always LOVED coincidences!! I JUST ordered some stencils last night - imagine my delight when I saw your new video this morning! 🥰 I have been meaning to order some since I've seen you use them in some of your journaling videos, but just got around to it! Thanks for all the great ideas and tips - I can't wait to try mine out (although I have to wait til Friday - Amazon Prime shipping isn't always 2 days anymore - it's more like whenever they feel like getting it to you...🤔). (PS Guess I should be glad I stand up at my worktable!😁) Oh yes - I wanted to ask - have you ever ordered stencils from Temu? I don't know much about that company except ads for things from there show up in my feed all the time - they have soooo many stencils and they are ridiculously low-priced.

What stencil is the geometrical one in the middle, at 12:41? I never thought stencils could be used with watercolours, but after seeing those ideas I'll give it a try :) Thank you for sharing!

can I ask what type paper is in your homemade journal? It is absolutely fantastic!