For reasons that are not entirely clear to me, I am on a quest to make as many of my own art tools as possible. I have been playing with stencils lately, and I decided that I wanted to use some face stencils and that I would make my own for collages, journaling, and possibly for fabric. This, I might add, is easier said than done.
I started by making line drawings of faces on blank stencil sheets. I used magazines and family photos as a starting point.
I thought that using a hot stencil cutter would make things easy. Well, it burns through the stencil blank quickly, but it leaves blobs and ridges. I tried two different burning heads on the tool. I went slowly. I went quickly. No matter what I did, I got blobs and ridges. So, I got out my trusty Xacto knife and tried to cut away the blobby parts and even out the cuts (I also sanded down the ridges). I used just the exacto knife for the rest of my stencils. I have to admit I had to tape over some unwanted slices (and burned out blobs), but I think practice will take care of that.
Below is a face I based on a magazine photo (hint, the fall Vogue is full of great images for collages, masks, and art inspirations). I used the Xacto knife for this.
Below is an attempt to make a stencil of my older daughter's face.
This is how it looks stencilled onto a piece of paper.
This one is supposed to be me.
And below is my attempt to capture my younger daughter's face.
I used paint instead of stamping ink when I stencilled this image.
Below is my effort to clean up after making the cuts with the hot stencil cutter. I used a magazine face as my model.
Another burned magazine image that I tried to clean up with the Xacto.
Below is another burned stencil of a magazine face.
These are fabulous Joanne!
Posted by: Cyndi Duncan | October 07, 2013 at 08:45 AM
I think your stencils came out great. Can't wait to see what stencils you make next.
Posted by: Elaine Akers | September 09, 2013 at 02:24 PM
It's perfectly clear to me! You are a student, an artist, a creative with an inquisitive mind. And you will conquer. I love them!
Posted by: jeanie | September 04, 2013 at 09:29 AM
Oh, nice! I bought Amy Rice's new book about stenciling (because I love her work and have a beautiful 4'x5' stenciled piece of hers above my bed!)
I like that one of you the best!
Posted by: martha brown | September 02, 2013 at 07:58 PM
These just look so cool! You did a great job with them.
Posted by: nancy b | September 02, 2013 at 11:35 AM
Wow what a great effort and really cool results. Bravo for your perserverence to get where you wanted to go!
Posted by: Marie | August 31, 2013 at 11:30 PM
I am so excoted to see you did this. I've been wanting to cut my own for a long time.
I purchased everything I needed about 5 years ago....yep. I will skip the heat cutter and cut the way you did with a knife :)
Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Kris | August 31, 2013 at 10:44 PM
You are so clever!
Posted by: Last minute lynn | August 31, 2013 at 09:29 PM
Love these, Joanne. You are always learning interesting new art techniques!
Posted by: Catherine Anderson | August 31, 2013 at 06:12 PM
These are so cool, Joanne! I bet you will find lots of uses for them.
Posted by: Karen Owen | August 31, 2013 at 05:25 PM
These are fantastic, Joanne! I agree with making your own tools where possible...stamps, etc. Just puts your own touch to it.
Posted by: Account Deleted | August 31, 2013 at 01:32 PM
Great job Joanne love the stencils you made!! Thanks so much for sharing your process...I totally get wanting to make your own tools..I think its part of the process we get to. I give you an A++ for keeping at it...I'm sure you will only get better and better!!
Posted by: Aileen | August 31, 2013 at 12:59 PM
So super cool. I love that you make all your own elements from scratch!
Posted by: Rhea | August 31, 2013 at 12:37 PM