Stencil Mania At Artist Trading Post Exchange. . . . . .

Hi everyone. Today sees the start of a new challenge at Artist Trading Post Exchange. It's my turn to be the host and I've chosen to base the new challenge on the use of stencils:

For my challenge I am asking you to use STENCILS on your project: I love to use stencils for ink, paint, mediums and sprays. I'd really like to see your creations using at least one stencil (the more the better though!). You can use any medium/s you choose through your stencil/s but it must be clearly seen where a stencil has been used. In addition, our rules ask that you include stamping on your project somewhere (no digi images please). We are a mixed media challenge  and your make must reflect this style.

There are some wonderful makes over at ATP Exchange so do pop over and have a look at the inspiration the DT have made for you.

I decided to alter a drawer unit which I bought in the local charity shop. I've used stencils, modelling paste, paints, stamping, powder embossing and dry embossing. Here's what I came up with:

An altered drawer unit - front view. This has been difficult to photograph as a finished piece but I hope the close up images will give you more idea about the details of the construction.

Back view

Stamped and embossed detail on the side of the unit

The unit as it was when I bought it in my local charity shop.

The unit was given two coats of gesso with a little light sanding between coats. Stencils were then used along with modelling paste to add detail to various areas of the unit. This image shows the stencil taped down ready to apply the modelling paste with a spatula.

Modelling paste applied and left to dry.

Drawer fronts with their first layer of modelling paste through a stencil.

The shelf is given a 'tiled' finish so pieces of card are cut to size and roughly arranged.

Tiles are folder embossed then applied to the shelf with matte medium.

After applying the remaining stencilled image, the drawer fronts are painted. The left hand drawer is painted with sap green from the DecoArt media fluid acrylic range. The right hand drawer shows the second coat of paint which is green gold. This gives a more yellow green but still allows some of the darker green to show through. This paint combination is used on all areas of the unit.

The sides of the unit are painted as explained above. They are then given a coat of gold interference from the DecoArt media range. This subtly alters the surface appearance depending on how the light catches it.

Gold paint is added to the stencilled modelling paste. Titan Buff paint is dry brushed onto the open areas of the round stencilled images and layers are built up until the intensity of colour is as required:

Dry brushing and gold paint application is finished.

The tiles are painted with the colours mentioned previously and in addition, they are antiqued by applying archival ink with a piece of cut n dry foam.

Crackle glaze is applied as required.

A Tim Holtz image is stamped on the two side surfaces of the unit. Versamark ink is used followed by some gold detail embossing powder. Paint and coffee archival ink are used to antique the images.

The front narrow edges around the drawers are powder embossed as above then antiqued as described.

Stencilled detail on the back.

Detail image shows crackle glaze antiqued with raw umber DecoArt media acrylic.

Crackle glaze antiqued as before.

This image shows the various layers of colour applied to achieve the look I wanted.

I do hope you've enjoyed reading about how I altered this drawer unit. I was a little worried I'd overdone it with the antiquing but in the end I was pleased with how it turned out.

It's your turn now so why not get out those stencils, choose which medium you want to use with it, select a stamp and some colours and away you go! I'm really looking forward to seeing what you come up with for my challenge at the Artist Trading Post Exchange.