How to Multilayer Stencil

Create a practice stencil. A practice stencil will enable you to work on your stenciling technique and make sure the finished product is to your liking. Use a piece of cardboard about a third larger than the stencil itself. Tape down the first stencil to the cardboard. Load the stencil brush with paint. Gently brush on the paint to the cut out areas in the practice cardboard. Lift up the first stencil. Check to see that no paint has fallen between the lines of the plastic.

Tape the second overlay on the top of the first finished drawing. The overlay should fall directly on top of the pattern and indicate where you are to fill in the marks in the stencil. Make sure that it aligns with the first drawing. If it doesn't, consider returning the stencil to the store. Brush in the open areas with different stencil brushes.

Lift up the second overlay and see what the stencil looks like. If necessary add a third overlay and a forth. As you work on the stencil use different brushes and make sure that you can see how the pattern evolves. It should come together as one whole piece.

Once your are satisfied with your practice stencil you should start marking out where you want to place the stencil on the wall. If you are planning to place the stencil over the top of a chair rail you can use the chair rail as a guideline. If you are planning to place the stencil against the top of the wall you can use the ceiling as a guideline. If you are using the stencil freehand use a level and a pencil. Make a light pencil mark so you can see where to align the stencil on the wall.

Follow the same techniques used to create the practice stencil to create the stencil on the wall. If you don't like how the stencil has turned out you can always paint over the results and start again.