You can even paint the cardboard the same color as your wall first. This will not only give you a similar texture, but it will also give you an idea of how the final colors will look like,
Wall stencils Painter’s tape or repositionable spray adhesive Foam roller or good quality stencil brush Acrylic paint or wall paint Paint pan or paint palette Paper towels
Consider using a level tool to ensure that your stencil is straight. It looks like a metal or plastic ruler, with a short, fluid-filled tube in the middle of it. The air bubble inside the tube moves around as you tilt the level about. Your project is leveled if the bubble is in the middle of the tube.
Consider sealing the edges off with a few rows of painter’s tape, especially if the design on your stencil is close to the edge. The painter’s tape will prevent you from accidentally going over the edges of the stencil and painting the wall by mistake.
If you are using a foam roller, pour the paint out onto a paint pan. Foam rollers are great for covering large stencils and large areas. If you are using a stencil brush, pour the paint out onto a paint palette. Stencil brushes are great for covering small stencils. They are also good for designs with multiple colors.
If you are working with a stencil brush, you can tape several folded paper towels onto the wall next to your work. [4] X Research source This way, you can hold the palette in one hand and the brush in the other. Everything will be close by. Just make sure that your paper towels are folded thick enough so that the paint does not bleed through them and onto the wall.
If you are using a foam roller, simply roll back and forth lightly across the pencil. If you are using a stencil brush, lightly tap the brush over the stencil.
If you accidentally painted outside the stencil, wipe the paint off using a damp paper towel or a baby wipe. [7] X Research source Consider adding some shading to your design using a stencil brush. Use a slightly darker color to do this, not straight black. This will look more realistic. A great places to use shading is around the edges or tips of your design. [8] X Research source
If you painted a design, such as a branch with flowers and leaves, your stencil may have left some gaps between the different shapes. You can fill those gaps in using a thin paintbrush and extra paint for a more authentic, hand painted look. [10] X Research source
Cardstock Craft knife Double-sided tape or repositionable spray adhesive Foam roller or paint sponges Acrylic paint or wall paint Paint pan or paint palette Paper towels
You can find template plastic in the quilting section of a fabric store. You can find blank stencil sheeting in the stencil section of an arts and crafts store.
If you are using shapes of different sizes, consider arranging them in an asymmetric clump. Keep the larger shapes towards the center, and the smaller shapes towards the edges/ends.
If you are using a paint roller to apply the paint, you might find a paint pan easier to use. If you are using a small paint sponge, you might find a paint palette easier to work with.
Paintbrushes Acrylic paint Paint palette Chalk, pencils, or watercolor pencils Cup of water Painter’s tape (optional) Paper towels
Consider using watercolor pencils that match your paint color. This will make them less visible once the paint dries. For example, if you are outlining a brown branch, use a brown watercolor pencil. If you are outlining some green leaves, use a green watercolor pencil.
If you want, you can tape the paper towel onto the wall next to your work; just make sure that it is folded thick enough so that the paint does not bleed through.
You will probably need to reload your paintbrush a few times. Always remember to tap off the excess paint onto the paper towel.
Painter’s tape Wall paint Paint roller Paint pan Paper towels Pencil
Chevron Zigzag Stripes (vertical or horizontal) Triangles
Consider leaving small tabs at the end of each piece of tape. This will make it easier to pull off at the end.
Try to match the paint finish to the finish of your wall. For example, if your wall has a satin finish, choose a paint that has a satin finish as well. This will help your design blend in better.
If you are using more than one color, work with one color at a time. Use a fresh paint roller and paint when moving on to a different color.
If the paint has dried and sealed over the edge of the tape, gently scratch at the seam with a craft knife. If the paint has dried and chips when you pull the tape off, get out a small, pointy paintbrush and fill in the gaps using extra paint.
If you want a more subtle look, use two different shades for your wall and design. For example, you can paint your wall a dark blue, and stencil on some bird silhouettes in light blue. If you want a bolder look, use contrasting colors. For example, you can paint your wall a fresh, spring green, and some leaf and branch outlines in bright white. You can also paint colored designs. For example you could start with a dark brown or black branch on a white wall. Then, you could add some light pink cherry blossom flowers to the branch.
Nature-related, such as branches, leaves, and birds Abstract designs, such as scrolls and damask
If you are covering your entire wall with the design, consider a grid or checked pattern. If you are covering just a small patch, consider making the patch more asymmetric than symmetric. If you are using both large and small shapes in your design, try to place the larger designs more towards the center of the patch, and the smaller designs towards the edges.
For a fancy dining or family room, consider using dark, rich colors. Use ornate designs, such as scrolls and damask. For a kitchen, consider using something bright and open. You can also paint some food-related designs, such as grapevines or citrus. For a bedroom, use colors that you find peaceful. These can be cool blues and purples, refreshing greens, or even pastels. Consider using something organic for the design, such as long, sweeping curves, leaves, flowers, or branches.
