How to do relief stencilling

Here's an easy way to create a raised effect - relief design - by using a stencil and paste.

 

You can use this technique on furniture, walls and even on doors, to apply a textured design.

The trick to creating a relief stencil design is to apply a thin layer of crackfiller, using a paint scraper, over the top of your stencil. You can build up to a thickness of approximately 1.5 to 2mm thick, but anything thicker than that will crack. Only apply thin layers at a time, allowing each layer to dry thoroughly before applying another layer.

To give a relief stencil a more realistic or aged finish, apply your choosen paint colour over the design. Once dry, lightly sand with 120-grit sandpaper. Sand around the edges of the raised effect and be sure to sand lightly to avoid damaging the relief work.

Combine a darker paint colour with scumble glaze (1 part paint to 4 parts glaze) and brush this over the painted surface. Have some clean rags handy to wipe of the glaze, only leaving glaze where you have sanded and in detailing.