Decorating with Stencils in the Arts & Crafts Style

DECORATION OF THE ARTS & CRAFTS MOVEMENT called for simplified two-dimensional art in which detail and perspective were shed while character, line and negative space were emphasized. Often a motif was stylized to abstraction, barely recognizable as the original subject yet pleasing to the eye. Such interpretation suited the stencil where thoughtful placement of supporting bridges forms part of the overall design. An Arts & Crafts stencil does not strive to imitate freehand painting. Its appeal lies in its unpretentiousness and duty to this principle of adornment. ARTS & CRAFTS STENCILS OFTEN CONSISTED of dominant and subordinate features that combined to create a useful and restful border. Lesser but related elements of the main motif were repeated at measured intervals, uniting the motif in an arrangement of harmony, rhythm and balance. IN ADDITION TO SERVING THE AESTHETIC PURPOSE, the lesser units can be adjusted for stencil layout to fit a given wall or handle awkward areas at corners and above doors and windows. One can shorten or lengthen sections with lesser elements by shifting the stencil plate slightly as progression nears a corner and stencil units one at a time to fill the space. Stencil plates flex to round comers and to continue upper parts only of a large or pendant design within confined areas above door and window trim. STENCILS WERE PAINTED ABOVE AND BELOW plate rails, chair rails and picture moldings, centered on a wall or as a continuous border. The dominant art could also be used separately as in a spot or medallion stencil. SELECT A STENCIL WITH SIZE AND CHARACTER that corresponds to that of the room. Keep colors delicate and strive for a somewhat translucent look, choosing hues that harmonize with wall and furnishings. Obtain good effects with a limited palette. Apply two colors (or one with varying shades) and a third for parts you wish to accentuate. SUBDUE A BRIGHT COLOR with neutral tints or glazes, or add a bit of complementary color (example: a little red added to green). Mix a small amount of one color (from your group of colors) into the other to improve the harmony. Consider a monochromatic scheme—varying shades of one color against a contrasting wall color, or go lighter or darker than your wall color for a truly muted tone and mood. DECIDING ON A SUCCESSFUL COLOR SCHEME requires some thought and experimentation. Since each wall, home and taste differ it is not advisable to simply duplicate a combination of colors seen elsewhere and apply it to your wall or other project. Though such an approach is a springboard for inspiration, considering various palettes and trying them out on sample stock is the best method. In this process I have sometimes struggled only to see another's example and say, "Now, why didn't I think of that?" TAPE YOUR FAVORITE SAMEPLE to the wall and live with it for a day or two to see if it feels right. Remember that the completed layout will cover a much larger area, so you may want to stencil more than one repeat on your sample stock. Stock may be cut from a roll of paper, sheets taped together, or matboard. CRAFT PAINTS, AVAILABLE IN SMALL CONTAINERS or crayon form (paint sticks), are available in craft and department stores. Fast-drying acrylic paints in 2-oz. squeeze bottles come in a wide array of colors and can be blended to coordinate with your decor. Add an acrylic medium—often labeled “textile medium”—to reduce the intensity of color but maintain the hue and add a degree of transparency. Keep your brush “dry” by blotting excess paint on a paper towel. Practice this method before stenciling to get a feel of how much paint to apply. PAINT CREMES AND CRAYONS create a soft, muted effect and can easily be blended and shaded, making them an excellent medium for the beginner. Their semi-solid consistency prevents paint from dripping or seeping beneath the stencil plate.

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