Decorating With Stencils
Stencils have been used for centuries to decorate textiles, for architectural ornamentation, and, in the silk screen process (serigraphy), for the production and reproduction of pictures and paintings. Hobby ceramists can also employ stencils to advantage, especially when it is necessary to produce numerous pieces with the same design; they can be used with regular and translucent underglaze colors and with many of the non-firing materials.Basically, a stencil for ceramics is a sheet of waxed stencil paper perforated with lettering or a design, through which color is forced onto the surface to be decorated; such a stencil is called a "negative stencil." The cut-out portion of a stencil can also be utilized by placing it on a surface and applying color around its edge; this is called a "positive stencil."
Almost any type of design can be reproduced with the aid of stencils, from simple, repeat, border patterns, employing only one color, to intricate designs of many colors. Each stencil can be used repeatedly, and can be used in a variety of ways. This type of decoration is especially recommended for those who do not have the desire to do brushwork designs, or who do not have the facility for more intricate types of work.
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November 20, 2008