Sunday, June 30, 2019

Newly Released Mini 4" x 4" Stencils


More ways to use my just-released two 4" x 4" stencils/masks fill today's post.

I've enjoyed creating some prints that I think of as "tile" prints.

Part of this "tile" look is developed by turning the stencils in opposite directions in making each print.  This yields an impression of unity (because some designs match) yet, at the same time, variety (which ramps up interest for the viewer.)  

For the first "tile" below, I used both m268 R and E and m267 M and Y. (Its background is a pre-painted now-invalid stock certificate, a flea market purchase.)   




For the second "tile," I used m267 M and Y. (Its background is a sheet of foreign newsprint.)




The "tile" below combines prints from both m268 R and E and m267 M and Y, as well as incorporating a background print made with my 9" x 12" stencil Clustered Leaves.  The prints were made with acrylic paints; the borders were added with crayon. 




Below is a piece that, to my eye, has a tile-like appearance, maybe because I've seen tiles used diagonally this way.  4" x 4" m268 R and E and m267 M and Y both were used.  Asemic writing (brought up in my June 28 post) was also used.







Above is today's final "tile," developed with acrylic paints on pre-painted foreign newsprint.  Again, 4" x 4" m268 R and E and m267 M and Y both were used.

Altho I've used paper substrates for today's projects, these stencils would bring the same results if used on blank ceramic tiles.  (Using this link will take you to a set of 4" x 4" tiles that come with complete directions.)

Thanks for visiting today!  To scroll thru the pages of my StencilGirl stencils and masks, please start here.

More art samples made with my two new stencils/masks will be posted here tomorrow.  To follow this blog by email, please use that option in the upper right sidebar.

Saturday, June 29, 2019

Using Pre-Printed Backgrounds to Make New Stencil Prints


Today's post trots out still more art samples created using my two brand-new StencilGirl stencils.  These minis of 4" x 4" each can also be called masks; in my opinion, that's what they are, according to "old" rules.  


M and Y, measuring 4" x 4" (m267)

R and E, measuring 4" x 4" (m268)

Using pre-printed backgrounds can add a jog of excitement to prints made with stencils.  Pre-printed background papers can certainly include papers you've prepared yourself.  But in this post I'll focus on using old picture calendar pages, old magazine picture pages and the like.

For starters, I've chosen flyleaf pages from old encyclopedias and other old books.  The photo below shows one of those flyleaf papers (originally printed with a pattern of marbled paper) ... it forms the background for this print created using m268 R and E .
  




Another "borrowed" background gives pizzazz to today's second print 
made with m268 R and E --





Below, a different flyleaf paper, also pre-printed with a marbled design, has been used with m267 M and Y.









Above is one more "borrowed" background that jazzes up this print 
made with m267 M and Y .

Below are two examples of using this kind of stencil with representational pre-printed images, as a kind of frame:



m268 R and E



m268 R and E

Thanks for visiting today!  To scroll thru the pages of my StencilGirl stencils and masks, please start here.

More art samples made with my two new stencils/masks will be posted here tomorrow.  To follow this blog by email, please use that option in the upper right sidebar.

Friday, June 28, 2019

More Art Samples Created with Brand-New 4" x 4" Mini Stencils m267 and m268


Today's post brings more art samples developed with my pair of new StencilGirl stencils -- each a mini of 4" x 4".  (They could also be called masks rather than stencils.)


M and Y, measuring 4" x 4" (m267)
  

R and E, measuring 4" x 4" (m268)

I used both stencils in developing the image below.  My approach was, first, to make prints with acrylic paint on previously prepared paper; then, to use calligraphic marks to fill in all of the printed areas, except for the one on the lower right.  

In some areas, I came back to cover these calligraphic marks with more prints, using the same two mini stencils.  The stencil used here was M and Y.





I took a similar approach in creating the piece below; this time, I created a diamond-like background shape with the calligraphic marking itself.  Then I made multiple randomly placed prints with m268 (R and E), covering the diamond shape as well as the rest of the piece.  Do you notice how m268's prints resemble puzzle pieces?  Entirely unintended; but I like it.





M268 (R and E) was again the stencil/mask I chose to use in making the piece below --





In a similar piece, the stencil used below was M and Y.






In the photo above, both of these 4" x 4" minis were used as the top layer of a 3-layer "sandwich" -- the middle layer is calligraphic writing; the bottom layer is a print made with my 9" x 12" stencil/mask Branching Blossoms Silhouette.
StencilGirl StencilClub member Lisa Dobry gets all the credit for having encouraged me to try this calligraphic scribbling -- but she does it much better than I do.  Asemic writing is the title for this kind of scribble, which can be meaningless or can have actual (but often disguised) meaning.

I like pairing it with stencil prints because I can use them to create the basic shapes to fill in with my Sharpie white painting pen, which will write on just about any surface.  

To scroll thru the pages of my StencilGirl stencils and masks, please start here. To follow this blog by email, please use that option in the upper right sidebar.  Thanks for visiting here today!   

Thursday, June 27, 2019

2 New Stencils Released Today at StencilGirlProducts.com!


Announcing the debut of my pair of new stencils -- each a mini, measuring 4" x 4".  They could also be called masks; the line dividing the definitions of these two labels is blurring, in today's jargon.  


My inspiration for these two designs -- M and Y and R and E -- arose from long-held love for customizing letters of the alphabet.  Although these two minis were originally based on alphabetic letter combinations, they have evolved into abstract patterns. 



M and Y, measuring 4" x 4"

R and E, measuring 4" x 4"

Two photos launch today's announcement --





The first photo, above, shows the start of a new painting on stretched canvas.  The bottom layer was created using my 9" x 12" Winter Berries Mask.  After that first layer of acrylics had dried, I added a layer of translucent gold acrylic paint.  That two-part combination became foundation for this art adventure.  I used my just-released stencils several times, layer by layer, waiting for paint to dry between applications of layers.

The finished piece below -- you can click on the image to enlarge it and better see detail -- shows very little of the Winter Berries imprint, but it's there.  After deciding enough layers of the new stencils had been added, I covered the background areas around the canvas with a collection of acrylic paints.  Here the resulting background looks black, but in reality, it's a blend of dark purples, dark blues and dark magenta. 





On another stretched canvas, I started with Liquitex Black Lava medium, spreading it thru both new stencils with an old credit card.  After this first application of lava medium had dried, I used the stencils in the same way a few more times.  Also, I put the lava-laden stencils to work as stamps -- flipping them over to press the excess lava medium onto the canvas.  Immediately after using the lava medium each time, I dipped the stencils into a basin of water and wiped them clean with soft rags (old terrycloth washcloths work well.)  I don't usually clean my stencils, but whenever I use a 3-dimensional medium like lava medium, I clean stencils and masks to prevent their openings from getting clogged.





The final artwork above shows that I added acrylic paints and inks to the entire central area of the canvas, filling in the lava-prints and the areas around them.  

My next-to-last step was to develop the pale beige edges using the stencils, repeatedly sponging thru them with light shades of yellow, magenta and blue. 

Before calling the piece done, I lightly went over some of the raised lava prints with Krink Permanent Paint Sticks.  These are oil-based  jumbo-sized crayons.  Their color goes on wet but dries very quickly.  

Other companies make this kind of crayon; one is Sakura.  Another is Shiva.  However, the Shiva sticks that I've used have taken a long time to dry.  

Please come back tomorrow as I start a series of daily posts showing other art samples made with today's brand-new releases.  I'll show one today:


Left:  R and E Right: M and Y 

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Monday, June 24, 2019

Outdoor Summer Stencils


Summer is blooming outdoors and -- thanks to stencils -- indoors too!


Above:  Made with part of 9" x 12" stencil Blooming Where Planted.

Above:  A 6" x 6" greeting card collage compiled from prints made with 6"  x 6" Garden Montage.
Above:  Made with 6" x 6" stencil Ginkgo.

Above:  a print made with 9" x 12" stencil It's a Jungle Out There (9" x 12" and cut from its original frame.)

Above:  A print made on holographic gold foil giftwrap using 6" x 6" stencil Mikki's Flowers (which also comes as a mask.)

Above:  Artwork on stretched canvas created with acrylic paints and collage-embellished (center) with a paint-stained stencil.  Used:  6" x 6" mask Small Tangled Pods and 6" x 6" stencil Small Dangled Pods.  (These pod patterns also come as a 9" x 12" stencil and a 9" x 12" mask.) 

Above:  A print made with 6" x 6" stencil Swaying Grasses on an old encyclopedia page that has botanical illustrations.

Thanks for visiting this blog today!  You can scroll thru the pages of my StencilGirl stencils and masks here.

Saturday, June 22, 2019

Last Day of Sale at StencilGirl!



My stencils are on sale -- today is the last day!

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
Save 21% off all* stencils
Use code: sol21 

Coupon code expires June 22, 2019, at 11:59 p.m. CST (Central Standard Time) USA
PLUS The 10% discount when you buy 6 stencils of the same size still applies!
Choose 1 FREE large stencil for every $100 spent (after discounts are applied). You MUST specify your choice(s) by L### (such as L048) in the comments section of the cart when you check out or it will be StencilGirl's choice. Sorry, no exceptions.

SHOP NOW: 
https://www.stencilgirlproducts.com/stencils-cecilia-swatton-s/1832.htm

*Stencils only. Does not apply to DVDs, books, tools, wholesale orders, StencilClub, or gift certificates. The StencilClub exclusive monthly member discount does not apply. 
Thanks for visiting my blog!

Friday, June 21, 2019

StencilGirl Sale!



My stencils are on sale!

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
Save 21% off all* stencils
Use code: sol21 

Coupon code expires June 22, 2019, at 11:59 p.m. CST (Central Standard Time) USA
PLUS The 10% discount when you buy 6 stencils of the same size still applies!
Choose 1 FREE large stencil for every $100 spent (after discounts are applied). You MUST specify your choice(s) by L### (such as L048) in the comments section of the cart when you check out or it will be StencilGirl's choice. Sorry, no exceptions.

SHOP NOW: 
https://www.stencilgirlproducts.com/stencils-cecilia-swatton-s/1832.htm

*Stencils only. Does not apply to DVDs, books, tools, wholesale orders, StencilClub, or gift certificates. The StencilClub exclusive monthly member discount does not apply. 
Thanks for visiting my blog!

Thursday, June 20, 2019

StencilGirl Stencil Sale -- 3 days only! -- Starts Today


My stencils are on sale starting today!

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
Save 21% off all* stencils
Use code: sol21 

Coupon code expires June 22, 2019, at 11:59 p.m. CST (Central Standard Time) USA
PLUS The 10% discount when you buy 6 stencils of the same size still applies!
Choose 1 FREE large stencil for every $100 spent (after discounts are applied). You MUST specify your choice(s) by L### (such as L048) in the comments section of the cart when you check out or it will be StencilGirl's choice. Sorry, no exceptions.

SHOP NOW: 
https://www.stencilgirlproducts.com/stencils-cecilia-swatton-s/1832.htm

*Stencils only. Does not apply to DVDs, books, tools, wholesale orders, StencilClub, or gift certificates. The StencilClub exclusive monthly member discount does not apply. 
Thanks for visiting my blog!

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Special Sale at StencilGirl -- 3 days Only! -- Starting Tomorrow!


Mark your calendars -- my stencils will go on sale at StencilGirl, for three days only, starting June 20! 

Details will be posted here tomorrow!



Tuesday, June 18, 2019

GARDEN MONTAGE Stencil and Friends -- and a Sale coming at StencilGirl!


Mark your calendars -- my stencils will go on sale at StencilGirl, for three days only, starting June 20! 

Garden Montage and Nosegay, both 9" x 12" stencils, have teamed up to create the two prints below.  After both prints had dried, I cut the blue and gold print (made with Garden Montage) to a smaller size, so I could collage it over the Nosegay-Garden Montage print.  And together they form the cover of a greeting card.




The two stencils in their entirety look like this --


Garden Montage, a 9" x 12" stencil 

Nosegay, a 9" x 12" stencil
Another collage greeting card is below --


Background was made with 6" x 6" stencil Sprigs; foreground, with Garden Montage.

The 
Sprigs stencil looks like this:


Above:  6" x 6" stencil Sprigs

Above is another greeting card cover, this one with a pale blue base that was printed with 
Garden MontageOver that, I first added a cut-out from a print created with lavender and gray acrylic paint and one of my Pods series stencils.  The main top embellishment is another print made with Garden Montage.  To the right of that is a strip of printed paper that balances out the composition.  
My Pods series of stencils are:


Dangled Pods Stencil (9" x 12")




Small Dangled Pods (6" x 6")


Tangled Pods Stencil (9" x 12")



Small Tangled Pods Stencil (6" x 6")


Above is today's last collage-covered greeting card.  It was made with three cut-outs from prints made with 
Garden Montage.
Thank you for taking time to stop here today!  To scroll thru the pages of my StencilGirl stencils and masks, please start here.

WATCH FOR AN UPCOMING SALE ON MY STENCILS!


Monday, June 17, 2019

StencilGirl Special Sale coming June 20!


Mark your calendars -- my stencils will go on sale at StencilGirl, for three days only, starting June 20! 

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Feathers!



I've long been fascinated by feathers -- most are soft to the touch and most can float in lazy zig-zags as they surrender to gravity.  And I love the graceful curves that many of them form.  

These qualities inspired me to design two stencils, Feathers 9 Stencil (9" x 12") and Feathers 6 Stencil (6" x 6") ... and I've used them often.



Above:  made with Feathers 6 Stencil (6" x 6")


Above:  made with Feathers 6 Stencil (6" x 6")


Above:  Feathers 9 Stencil was used over a print made with 6" x 6" Penguin Family.


Above:  Feathers 9 Stencil was used over a 3-layer Gelli Plate print made with Feathers 6 Stencil and (in the central area) a real feather. 

  
Above:  Feathers 9 Stencil was used over an old nautical map, painted orange.



Above:  Feathers 9 Stencil was used over a blue print made with Prayer Flags stencil (9" x 12".)



Above:  Again, Feathers 9 Stencil was used over a 3-layer Gelli Plate print made with Feathers 6 Stencil and (in the central area) a real feather. 

Last but far, far from least, I'm delighted to show this artwork --





-- a beautiful journal cover created by Kymona Tracey.  The beauty of her art-making equals the beauty of her name!  

Thanks for visiting this blog today!  To scroll thru the pages of my StencilGirl stencils and masks, please start here.