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How to apply stencils for Martial Arts room decor.
Preparation:
Stencils work best on walls that are smooth and already painted with an oil or latex paint. Walls painted with flat paint work better than walls that have been painted with high gloss paint.
You will need:
*One or more stencils (thin platic sheets that have cut-out shapes)
*Stencil paint. Stencil paints are available at craft stores and at wallpaper and paint stores. They are made by many well-known manufacturers including Plaid, DecoArt, Folk Art, Delta, and Apple Barrel. You will also find stencil paints intended for other surfaces such as metal surfaces of mailboxes or refrigerators.
* Paint brushes
Directions:
1. Position the stencil on the wall where you want the first set of painted shapes to go. Tape the stencil into place on the wall.
2. Using a brush that is smaller than the smallest part of the cut-out shape, paint inside the cut-out onto the wall. Use a rubbing, circular motion with the brush, working fromt he outside of the shape and moving inward.
3. Carefully remove the stencil from the wall. Depending on where you will be painting next, you may need to wait for the paint to dry before you can reposition the stencil for another use.
4. Reposition the stencil onto another section of the wall where you want additional painted shapes to go. Paint thosse shapes.
5. Continue moving the stencil and painting the shapes until you have completed your design.
6. When finished, wash your stencils with soap and water.
Tip: Be careful not to flood the cut-outs with paint or else the paint may seep outside the edges, resulting in a blurry shape on your wall.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. Can I use spray paint, colored pencils, or crayons? A. Yes, you can use any other medium that will adhere to your wall. However, stencil paints usually produce the best results -- clear images with neat edges.
Q. Do I have to use special brushes? A. While some brushes are labeled as "stencil brushes", this usually means simply that they are small brushes with thin edges. Any small, refined paint brush will do.
Q. Can I use more than one color? A. Yes. For example, you could paint the belt area of each figure with a different Martial Arts belt color.
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