 
We're going to use stencils to make a sunset scene with animals in silhouette, on wood this time. You'll need a set of animal stencils; these are available from Amazon at quite reasonable prices, as are the wooden blanks. We're also using acrylic paints; their vibrant colours dry quickly. The first step is to cover the wood with paint mixed with water in horizontal strips. These don't have to be precise, and can be blended together. The aim is to simulate an evening sky. We chose an African theme (right). 
 
 Since the painting will be a silhouette, the bottom strip will represent the land, and should be black. After completing the sky and ground, allow the paint to dry thoroughly; this could take 15 minutes or so. The final step is to apply the stencilled images of the amimals you've chosen, using black paint and a small brush. The paint should be used as is, without adding water. Hold the stencil firmly in place (it helps to have a second set of hands) and be careful not to paint outside the stencil. (If that happens, you can easily fix things by repainting the affected portion of the sky with more paint and water). The finished scene can easily be hung on a wall to display your creativity! |