Jan Dressler uses trompe l'oieil stenciling to create flower pots bursting with blooms, and birdhouses ready for outdoors. The secret to making your own trompe l'oeil project look realistic and three-dimensional lies in mastering Jan's shading techniques.
Tips & Techniques
- For a trompe l'oeil effect similar to what Jan Dressler produced here, perform a stippling or pouncing motion with a very dry stencil brush. Use a separate brush for each color of paint because used brushes--even those that have been cleaned--contain residues that may discolor the paint you want to apply. If there are large openings in your stencil, use the largest stenciling brush you can find, preferably one-inch or larger, for complete coverage.
- On a paper or plastic plate, squeeze out a puddle of paint the size of a 50 cent piece. Dip your brush into the paint and work the paint in by wiping the brush on a paper towel using a firm, circular motion until a faint powdering of paint is left when the brush is pounced on the towel.
- If you would like to darken your stencil, repeat the pouncing technique without reloading your brush. Stipple the entire area with the lightest paint color first, then shade with darker hues to add depth and dimension.
- Natural objects, like the Gerbera Daisies Dressler produced, should be shaded freehand to allow for curves and other irregular shapes found in nature. Conversely, man-made objects like Jan's log birdhouse have sharp forms and look best when overlays are used to define the shading. If you aren't able to envision the proper shading, take a look at how sunlight falls on different objects in your surroundings. Careful study of the appearance of shadows at different times of day should allow you to re-create and transfer these shadows to your own designs.
Log Birdhouse
Materials:
Dressler stencil - #520 Rustic Birdhouses (Log Birdhouse)
DecoAr paint - #EB28 Easy Blend Charcoal Grey, #80 Russet, #155 Soft Black, #171 Driftwood
Steps:
1. Using overlay #1, stencil the logs using Russet. Apply Soft Black to establish the bottom of the birdhouse and use the same color to shade the vertical sides of the chimney and the horizontal edges of the logs.
2. Align overlay #2 and use Driftwood for the roof and entry hole. The base edges can be shaded and softened with Easy Blend Charcoal Grey.
3. In overlay #3, use Soft Black to define the details.
4. Your stenciled birdhouse is now ready to be "mounted" atop a faux perch, which can be created by using the pole stencil provided in the packet. You can achieve a realistic look by alternating Russet and Soft Black as you stencil the pole.
Flower Pots
Materials:
Dressler stencil - #602 Flower Pot
DecoArt paint - #EB28 Easy Blend Charcoal Grey, #80 Russet, #137 Shading Flesh
Steps:
1. Begin by stenciling overlay #1 with Shading Flesh, then use Russet to shade along the sides and under the rim of the flower pot. Do not shade the rim.
2. Stencil overlay #2 with Shading Flesh on the lip and inside of the pot. Concentrate the shading low, inside the pot, at the edges, and at the top of the lip.
3. To complete the stencil, shade lightly around the sides and slightly down from the top with Easy Blend Charcoal Grey.
Gerbera Daisies
Materials:
Dressler stencil - #607 Gerbera Daisies
DecoArt Paint - #EB28 Easy Blend , Charcoal Grey, #27 Gooseberry, #50 Forest Green, #52 Avocado, #155 Soft Black, #156 Antique Rose, #168 Golden Straw
Steps:
1. Stencil overlay #1 in Forest Green to create dark leaves which can then be shaded with Soft Black. Use Gooseberry Pink for the flower petals and lightly shade around their edges. To provide depth to the flowers, shade their centers with Easy Blend Charcoal Grey.
2. Using overlay #2, stencil the lighter leaves in Avocado and then shade them with Soft Black. Use Antique Rose for the remaining petals, and add dimension by shading them with Easy Blend Charcoal Grey.
3. For realistic results on the stems, stencil them in Forest Green and add the "veins" with light strokes of Soft Black. Apply Gooseberry to form the petal details , color the flower centers with Golden Straw, and complete the illusion by shading with Soft Black.
4.To finish your design, use Easy Blend Charcoal Grey to shade lightly around the sides and slightly down from the top to simulate shadows created by the sun. Jan put her freehand skills to work during this step, and with a little practice, you 'll be able to accomplish the same technique. Even if your stenciling isn't perfect , don't worry--the stencil police will not come after you!
Resources stencils and stencil supplies
Dressler Stencil Company has an extensive line of detailed laser-cut stencils, supplies and video instructions. A catalog is also available.
Dressler Stencil Company
Renton, WA
Phone: 425-656-4515
Toll-free Phone: 888-656-4515
E-mail:
customerservice@dresslerstencils.com
Website:
www.dresslerstencils.com
Guests Jan Dressler
Stencil Expert, President, Owner Dressler Stencil Company
Renton, WA
Phone: 425-656-4515
Toll-free Phone: 888-656-4515
E-mail:
customerservice@dresslerstencils.com
Website:
www.dresslerstencils.com
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