Mixed-Media Stencil Techniques by Traci Bautista

As someone who is pretty new to the world of stenciling, I have to admit that I was a bit intimidated by the process. It seems like it’s would be easy for paint or ink to bleed through and ruin the image that’s being created — but that’s just the perfectionist in me talking. After watching this video by Traci Bautista, where she breaks down 6 unique techniques for working with stencils, I was definitely ready to give it a try. What’s helpful about this video is seeing the ease with which Traci works with colors, and how she transitions between using a stencil and then flipping it over and using the excess paint and ink to create a mask. She plays with positive and negative spaces with a lot of freedom, and her particular style has a lot to offer both novice and experienced stencil enthusiasts.

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Techniques Featured in this Video:

Black Gesso Prints – A little black gesso goes a long way when used with Traci’s Floral 2 Stencil. This technique is a fabulous way to showcase the bright and vibrant colors of a background by introducing black outlines.

Dyed Paper Towel Prints – Create beautifully textured prints with generous amounts of acrylic paint, a two-ply paper towel, and a brayer.

Stencil Prints – With this technique, you can create a stunning layered print by stenciling with paint, spraying with ink, and then pressing a fresh piece of paper onto the design. The end result is gorgeous multi-colored print.

White Resist Prints – After creating a colorful stenciled background, Traci uses acrylic paint and a foam brayer to add portions of white. She does this while her first layer of paint is still wet, which allows the colors to mix.

Monoprint Acrylic Skins – Paint over a transparent document protector and then set your stencil down on the wet paint. Once the paint dries, you can remove the stencil and you’ll be left with a beautiful skin that showcases the details of your stencil.

Stamping + Masking with Stencils – Spray a little water over a stencil design to reactive the dried paint, and then press a fresh piece of paper over it to create a ghost print.  You can also paint or spray directly onto a stencil and use another piece of paper to pick up the extra paint that’s on the top of the stencil.

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Thank you Traci for such an amazing video! To pick up even more inspiring tutorials and projects from this talented artist, be sure to stop by our brand-new Artist Collection. Find everything from Traci’s books to her creative stencil designs, and unique stamps.

Traci Bautista is a mixed media artist, designer, teacher, and author of the bestselling book, “Doodles Unleashed,” and her recent release, “Printmaking Unleashed.” Her art has been featured in over 15 art and mixed-media books and 40 craft magazines, including Somerset Studio, Altered Couture, Where Women Create, Art Journaling, Art Quilting Studio, Belle Armoire, and Somerset Digital Studio.

To learn about this extraordinary artist visit her on her blog, Creativity Unleashed.

 

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