Lesson 8: Using Stencils with Paper
Dry Embossing - Technique
This is really simple. First, take a piece of waxed paper and lay it wax side down on the reverse side of your paper. Take a spatula or popsicle stick and run the wax over the paper to leave a thin wax film on the paper - or at least in the general area you want to emboss. A simpler technique is to simple tape the waxed paper on top of your paper and leave it in place. It may be a bit more difficult to see your stencil, but you will get a smoother emboss and only end up with wax in the embossed areas instead of all over the back of the paper. The waxed paper will turn cloudy wherever you have embossed it, making it easier to see where you have been.
Now, attach your stencil to the place on the reverse side of your paper where you want your design to appear. Then use the same low tack masking tape to firmly position both stencil and paper on your light table or window.
Take your fine point stylus and outline the edges of all open areas of the stencil. Then use the larger end to rub over the remaining space until you see that you have covered the entire open surface evenly. Be careful not to press too hard and puncture the paper. But not pressing enough won't make much of an impression. Practice a time or two if you need to, but it won't take long to get the feel for it.
That's actually all there is to it. You can remove your stencil and call it a wrap.
However, if you want to color your design, I've found it best to leave the stencil in place. Remove paper and stencil from the light source, and lay it on a table, embossed (stencil side) up. Now take your pastels and rub the foam brush across the pastel chalk in your desired color and lightly apply it to the areas of embossing that you want in that color. Go a bit heavy at the edges and light on color in the center to enhance the raised effect. You can use multiple colors here, just as we did with some single overlay stencils. Just make sure you maintain a light pressure, as you don't want to depress your newly raised areas. Don't be afraid to use your fingers to do a little light blending.
Now remove the stencil carefully so as not to smear the chalk. If you like you can spray the finished piece with a fixative.
With your stencil fixed firmly in place you can also add color with traditional stencil paints or even water colors. Maybe it's my personal preference but I think embossing looks best with soft colors - but why not go for drama if you have the right design? Embossing on black paper with gold rubbed over the raised area can be very striking.
This project from the Ben Franklin Stores will show you both the process and the difference between a plain embossing and one that has been colored with chalk.
