Raised Stenciled Bamboo

Stenciling We Love: Day 11

Donna Revens, of If Walls Could Talk in Nashua, NH, stenciled this life sized bamboo using a stencil from Red Lion Stencils. Donna used an acrylic based Venetian plaster custom tinted to a pale aloe green which she applied through the stencil with a japan scraper. Once dry, she brought out the details by hand painting with avocado green universal tint diluted in water.

Donna provided the following helpful tips for completing a project like this successfully:

1. It is a good idea to have extra stencils cut of the leaves. Keep scissors handy in case you need to cut one to fit into an awkward corner.
2. You will have to skip over some areas while the plaster is drying and go back to fill them in later.
3. If you can, have a helper use a hair dryer to dry the plaster as you work in order to speed up the process.
4. Keep a dishpan of warm water and plenty of lint free rags on a worktable nearby. It is best to have your helper cleaning stencils and keeping fresh ones ready for you as you go.
5. To avoid seepage, make sure that your stencil is held firm against the wall when applying the plaster. If you wind up with a messy edge, don't panic. Use an artist brush dipped in water to "erase" your mistake and clean up the edge. If you want to erase the whole section while it is still wet, use your clean Japan scraper to remove the plaster, wipe with a clean damp and then dry rag, and start over.
6. For an alternative to hand painting, use a cellulose sponge to wash in the diluted tint or pigment. Once it dries, sand lightly with 220 grit sandpaper. This will create highlights around the edges and make your design “pop” off the wall.
7. Protect your work with an acrylic based flat varnish.

• Silver Leaf Stenciled Ceiling
• Stenciled Tile
• Embossed Design on Venetian Plaster