Stenciled Cardboard Frames - Part 3

After I created the two tutorials in the past two posts on how you can create your own corrugated cardboard frames, I am still creating more frames with the other stencils that I designed for Stencil Girl Products. Here in this post, I am presenting to you four more new ideas.

Shown below is one set of frames created from one piece using X & O stencil and Chevron Set #3 stencil. So far, this is the only one that utilizes two stencils instead of just one. After creating the background with black & white gesso, I started first with X & O stencil and then the Chevron. I then used the X & O stencil again on top of the Chevron - making some of the images "float" above the Chevron. The result is a "layered" look.

The next one (below) in a series of six frame designs is simpler than the above. I created the background first using craft acrylic paints in various light or medium colors, and then placed the Curvies Dash Stencil over the top, and applied the darker acrylic paints in three colors - one of them metallic.

The fifth one in a series of six different designs (two of them are already shown in previous posts) utilizes the same technique as above but in reverse - dark colors for the background and light colors for the stenciled pattern done with Crossed Rounds (top of the three designs on the stencil). Yes, I had to reuse the same top pattern, using the top row as a "register" for alignment of the next repeat.

The last one in this series utilizes black, white and clear gesso for the background and four craft acrylic colors in various shades for the stenciled pattern - one color for each set within the Mini-Dots stencil. I placed this stencil on the top, and applied four colors, then I moved the stencil down and applied two colors, and then move it back up, placing the bottom sets over the top of the stenciled dots. If you're not sure what I'm talking about, do please let me know by leaving your comments here.

I hope I have inspired you to create your own frames, and I'm still creating more designs using the other current designs available from my page in Stencil Girl Products.

*Full disclosure: Andrew Borloz does receive royalties from the sale of the stencil shown above directly from Stencil Girl Products. No promotional fees were paid to Andrew Borloz for promoting his own stencil designs and others.

Stenciled Cardboard Frames - Part 2

After I created the first two frames with one stencil, I decided that I would create a collection of cardboard frames using my stencil designs available for purchase from Stencil Girl Products' website. This time, I'm using the Wheel Spokes Set #2 stencil for this second set of frames.

I was trying to figure out which design and colors to use for the second set. As I was doing my laundry today, I saw a load of dirty shirts and thought that it would make a great color scheme.

So, based on the colors of the shirts, I picked the colors from my craft acrylic paint collection. I then pour a few drops of white gesso and spread the paint drops with a wallpaper smoother.

I then poured a few drops of black gesso and used the same technique as the one done with white gesso. I then poured a few strings of cream-colored acrylic along the edge and smeared them over the black and white gesso. I allowed the top surface to dry a little bit and then I placed a piece of paper towel over the slightly wet paint to remove some off the top layers of gesso paint.

I aligned the top of the Wheel Spoke Set #2 stencil with the top of the cardboard, and covered the bottom half of the same stencil with a piece of paper. I then poured lighter shades of blue-green colors onto the paper plate.

Using the cosmetic sponge wedge, I randomly apply the color to the dots - lighter colors for the big dots and darker color for the small dots.

I didn't worry about the precision or the bleeding as I wanted to achieve the "grungy look" for this board. I removed the stencil and moved to the right - I aligned it by using the right column of big dots as a guide and also moved down. I completed the whole piece in clockwise manner.

I then poured some darker colors onto the paper plate for the second layer of stencil. Starting at the bottom right, I used the bottom half of the stencil (wheel spokes) and applied darker colors on the big dots and lighter colors on the small dots. I covered the top half of the same stencil with a piece of paper as a mask.

I moved the stencil clockwise and applied the paint. I then dry the whole piece with a heat gun.

After studying the position of the stencil, I decided that I would cut two frames from this one piece.

I'm very pleased with the result, and since I had so much fun with it, I've decided to start a series of frames. Looking forward to making more and I will show them to you later.

You can purchase the Wheel Spokes Set #2 on-line from StencilGirl Products here.

*Full disclosure: Andrew Borloz does receive royalties from the sale of the stencil shown above directly from Stencil Girl Products. No promotional fees were paid to Andrew Borloz for promoting his own stencil designs and others.

Stenciled Cardboard Frames

With so many cardboard boxes and boards that I have at home, I've decided to start making painted frames and mat boards from them - some of them with stencils that I designed for Stencil Girl Products. I also created a new tutorial on how the Pseudo-Squares stencil (available from Stencil Girl Products' website) can be used.

I started with one board from one of the boxes and painted most of the top surface with white gesso. Since the middle will be cut out, I didn't bother to cover it with gesso.

After the gesso is dry, I poured craft acrylic paint (in dark color) directly on top of the board and spread it around with cosmetic sponge wedge.

After I cover most of the gesso with acrylic paint, and before they're completely dry, I throw some water on it and let the drips sit for a minute or so. I used the heat gun to dry some of the paint, and then place a sheet of paper towel over it to pick up all of the water - this removes some of the dark paint off the gesso, creating a splatter effect.

With Pseudo Squares stencil, I start apply the basic shapes all around the edges, creating a frame-like composition.

I then flipped the stencil around to use the different design on top of the first layer of stenciled image.

I used different shades of greens to create gridlike effect.

After I created the kind of effect that I wanted, I mixed together gesso, few drops of yellow acrylic paint and water to create a "wash" to mute down the colors. After I let it sit there for a few seconds, I wiped off most of the wash, leaving some behind.

After the paint was completely dry, I first sprayed it with clear gloss acrylic finish to make the color pop out a little bit more. I then sprayed it again with matte acrylic finish to remove some of the gloss from the surface. If I sprayed it first with matte, it would make the colors duller. I then cut the center out with a box knife as if I was creating a mat board.

I decided that the center hole is too small for most of my artwork, so I cut some more from the center, creating two frames.

I plan to create more painted cardboard frames using the above stenciling techniques and other techniques as well. The above process took me about an hour to create. The Pseudo Squares stencil can be purchased on-line from Stencil Girl Products' website here.

*Full disclosure: Andrew Borloz does receive royalties from the sale of the stencils shown above directly from Stencil Girl Products. No promotional fees were paid to Andrew Borloz for promoting his own stencil designs and others.