I often get emails asking me about my favorite tools or supplies and I actually love those emails because they make me think of why I tend to use some things all the time.
Is it laziness? What is it about these items that make me grab for them whenever I create a Mixed Media Project?
One of the answers that came up for almost all of them is “I use them because of their versatility of usage” . That is an easy guess for an answer- LOL- since I named my favorite Online Workshop series Über*Media playing on the fact that you can use some items so MANY different ways.
But let me take you the next couple weeks on a little journey on my favorite Mixed Media essentials and explain why I could bathe in them and show you where I used them.
If you missed the other posts in this series – you can catch up here
5. Stencils & Masks
Stencils and Masks are a constant companion of mine while creating. If you would see the stack of stencils I own you would think I am a hoarder (well I am in some perspective ;) )- but to my excuse I have to say- I might own like 15 times the same stencil because I use them in my workshops a lot. Because they are AWESOME to use in all kinds of projects!
What I love about Stencils & Masks:
- You can add with many different paint media wonderful images to a project
- You can use them to create dimension and layers
- They can be an awesome tool to add texture
- They can be wonderful stamps
- You can use them for Embossing
- They can be easily created by yourself
- If made out of the right material they can be used FOREVER
- They can ground a background
- You can also use them for tracing patterns
Here are some examples:
Using Stencils to trace the stars and make dimensional embellishments and with paint medium
Creating Texture with Black Gesso and Stencil
Stencils with Graffiti Spray Paints layered for a plant pot
with mostly self made stencils
Texture with mixed acrylic paint and artist spackle
Stencil used in a Die Cut Machine with Canvas Fabric to dry emboss
Masks used with ink pads for a background
Masks used with heavy bodied Acrylic paints
with water based spray paints
with a marker
Cut out stencil image
And there is so much more!
Which Stencils & Masks I love to use:
As always in this series- the answer to this question is based on my preferences, my style and my experiences
- Since I do love to create texture with my stencils and masks I am always on the hunt for thicker material
- I do love to use plastic or similar material ones because I want to use them FOREVER and with wet paint media too
- Of course since I create my own designs for Stencil Girl Products – I love my own designs for them :) (It would be weird if not ;) ) and I love their designs by the other artists too! Very cool stencils.
- The other brands I use that in my eyes have the most awesome designs and are of thicker design and the material I like (and I might miss some of course – I can only list the ones I own and tried!) are by: The Crafter’s Workshop (I think I probably have almost all of them – mostly Julie Fei Fan Balzer Designs and Ronda Palazzari but also some of Dyan’s – still missing on Dina Wakley’s – this has to change!), Tattered Angels (they do not make them anymore at the moment so I hold on to my old ones), and Pink Paislee (only had a few desings- but I do love them!)
- I do love some of the thinner masks too – I try to use those more with spray paints or dry paint media, so that I do not ruin them. The thinner the material the more you can expect detailed images and intriguing images. So it is a bit: one or the other. As designs for thick ones I love a lot of the Prima Marketing Masks that are out there – but again they are very thin and must be treated carefully in order to not rip them.
- self-made stencils – I love to use thick plastic sheets or cardboard for this. Crafter’s Workshop Templates is now actually now also offering sheets to make your own stencils.
- House hold item stencils- there is a lot of things that you can use as stencils that you probably have: lace, punchinella, screen mash, nets that hold your potatoes or onions, plastic place mats that have a cut out pattern, die cuts…just look at your supplies and think how it could look like if you would use spray paint or other paint media over it.
- Letter Stencils from the Hardware or Art Supply store because I love to add titles with stenciled letters
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I hope you enjoy this series- next Mixed Media Essentials is coming soon :)
What are your Favorite Mixed Media Essentials?
hugs
nat
Comments (11)
Marjie Kemper
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You’re singing my song, Nat… love love LOVE stencils. If you get your hands on some Stencil Girl Products you will like them too… funky designs and a fair weight. Loved seeing all these gorgeous samples especially that cool pink/purple LO with the big alpha letters. Happy Kitting!
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Carrie
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Trying to catch up on my blog reading again – I’ve missed so much! Love this post on stencils and masks. You’ve got some fantastic ones. I love them too, and have been using them more and more. Do you have any of Michelle Ward’s stencils yet? I have some of them, and they’re great, really good material too.
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nathalie-kalbach
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Totally have to get some of hers too ! Thanks for the reminder!
Have a wonderful day! Hope you were not hit too bad by the storm! hugs
nat
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Alicia
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Thanks for the info Nathalie…!! I think all your works are great and all the technics seems very interesting…!!! Keep you informed.!
Best regards!!
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Jessica
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I love this series! It reminds me of different ways to use my supplies. My latest fave is modeling paste – I like to spread it over stencils with a spatula and then let it dry overnight. Great raised texture!
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Sherri Sinclair
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Thank you so much for doing the essentials series. I love to try some if the products you use and it gets my creative thinking going in different ways on some items. Thanks!
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Jean Marmo
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Love the versatility!! I definitely need more stencils and masks!
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Sue Clarke
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I never tire of seeing the “TRUST” piece. Just wonderful Nat!
I like to use embossing paste with some ink in it to get rough texture with a stencil.
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nathalie-kalbach
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oh yummie one Sue!!!
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Toñy Hernandez Ramos
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Nat todas las técnicas utilizadas me parecen geniales. Muchisimas gracias por mostrar tus creaciones. Un abrazo
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nathalie-kalbach
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grande besos Tony! Thank you!
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