CQURE:How to Paint Vines With Stencils!WOW!

Stencils let you create detailed designs, such as vines or flowers, with consistency -- a plus if you're concerned about maintaining a cohesive look over the entire project. Whether you're creating a grape vine on a wall or a plain green vine on the perimeter of the table or pillow, keep the stencil firmly against the project surface to ensure the design turns out as you'd like. Another key to success is choosing a paint suitable for the item you're stenciling -- stencil paint, acrylic paint or latex paint for a wall, for instance, or a glass paint for anything made of glass. Clean the surface thoroughly before stenciling to ensure the paint adheres.

1

Cover the work surface with newspaper and set the project piece atop the paper. If you're working on a wall, place newspaper on the floor in front of the wall and cover the baseboards beneath the stenciling areas with painter's tape to avoid errant paint drips.

2

Tape the stencil securely to the project surface with painter's tape if it's a flat, hard object such as a piece of furniture or a wall. Apply tape around the edges without blocking any of the detailed areas on the stencil. If it's a curved surface, place the stencil back-side up on a sheet of newspaper and spray on a thin layer of removable spray adhesive. After a minute or two, or as directed on the adhesive can, smooth the stencil onto the project area.

3

Dip the tip of a stencil brush into the lightest paint color for your vine design, such as a yellow or a pale green. Wipe off much of the excess paint onto a paper towel to avoid creating a blobby, heavy design when stenciling. Dab the stencil brush through the cutout areas of the stencil, working from the outside edges in on large areas such as grape leaves to create a fade effect in the center, as if the leaf is illuminated by the sun. Reload the stencil brush with more paint as needed, or swap the stencil brush for a thin artist's brush for vine tendrils and narrow areas. Continue stenciling until you've stenciled every cutout area of the design.

4

Dip the stencil brush or artist's brush into a darker paint shade if you're adding shadows or darker areas to the vines and leaves. Brush off excess paint onto a paper towel, then dab the perimeters of leaves or bottom of the vine with this paint shade, overlapping the lighter color. You don't have to wait for the first color to dry, as blending will enhance the effect.

5

Repeat Steps 3 and 4 for non-vine areas of the design, if any, such as flowers or grapes, using suitable paint colors. Allow the paint to dry for an hour or so, then lift the stencil away without sliding it over the paint. Paint additional details, such as veins in the leaves, if desired, with a thin artist's brush.