Early History of Stencils

• Stencils have been used for generations to reproduce designs and text in an exact and time-efficient manner. Stencils have been in use since at least 1650 B.C., when artists used them in Greek wall paintings on the island of Thera. In the United States, the first wall stencils date to 1778 at the Goodale Homestead in Marlborough, Massachusetts.
  
  

Wall Stencils In the United States

• In the United States in the 18th and 19th centuries, wall stencils were used to beautify homes of people of reasonable means but without the income to afford more costly wallpapers and textiles. Stencil artisans traveled from town to town selling their services. Early stencils were made of heavy, oiled paper or leather. Until the Civil War most paints were made using natural pigments, including ochers and lampblack, mixed with either oil or water soluble media like skimmed milk.
  
  In the late 19th century, as commodities became more readily available, amateurs including housewives began to try their hands at stenciling. This was a historic "do-it-yourself" phenomenon much like the current home improvement climate in the United States. These days, decorating with stencils can add a touch of history and flair to any home improvement project.
  
  

Finding Wall Stencils

• Wall stencils are available in a variety of historically accurate designs, usually separated by artistic style. The Greek Revival and Rococo Periods, dating from the 1830s to 1850s, Victorian stencils from the 1870s to 1890s, Arts and Crafts Period designs from the 1890s to the 1920s, and Art Deco designs from the 1920s and 30s are all available in modern-day stencil catalogs. Designers from the current day are also creating their own stencils. See the website Stencil Search for a stencil-finding resource geared to current designers.
  
  

Using Wall Stencils

• Stencils are a beautiful and cost-effective way to decorate walls and floors, even today. Begin by preparing your wall: paint it and allow the paint to dry if it needs a fresh coat or a new color. Clean and dry the wall thoroughly if you'll be using the existing paint color as a background.
  
  Choose your stencil design and plan the full design and spacing carefully before you begin. Assemble all your tools and colors. Place your stencil in a corner (hold it in place or secure it with painter's tape) and begin painting.
  
  To apply paint, dip a brush or sponge in your paint color of choice and tamp the brush or sponge against a towel until it's mostly dry. Too thick a paint layer will cause runs in your stencil lines. Tap or swirl your paintbrush inside the stencil to the edge of the pattern. Use a separate brush or sponge for each color. When you've completed the whole pattern and allowed the paint to dry thoroughly, apply a topcoat of acrylic varnish or polyurethane to protect your stenciling.