• You may be surprised by this printmaking method.
• It may be so obvious and simple that you will do a forehead slap.
• It may give you a new found freedom.

What is this printmaking method?

I am suggesting – stencil printing….

Yes if you pause and look around you may notice stencil printmaking in these projects:

• Printmakers pull screen prints
• Graffiti and street artist tag box cars
• Fiber and quilt artist create fabric and projects
• Pre-schoolers make pressed marks
• Interior designers cover walls, and furniture
• Cities paint creative crosswalks
• Mixed media artist layer paper like crazy

Stencils are used to block the transfer of ink and to create shape.

These super simple stencils were inspired by the cut-outs of Matisse. Both parts could be use to block or transfer ink. I call the one on the left the traditional hole stencil. Ink is gently transferred through the hole.

The stencil on the right, I call a masking stencil, because generally it is used to block or mask the transfer of ink. However, when printing with the gelatin plate I sometimes use this style of stencil to transfer ink as well. See this video

• Would you like to dedicate some time to developing your stencil making skills?
• Learn to see shapes and shadows in a whole new way?
• Develop stronger design skills?

I am working on a new class the Make Stencils Workshop. If you would like to be one of the first to know the details about this awesome class, then join the interest list below and I will keep you posted.