Projection Stenciling [Paperback]

Stencil artists extraordinaire Linda Buckingham and Leslie Bird have hit upon a truly brilliant approach to their subject that enables even novices to create high-quality, large-scale designs. Their method entails covering the paintable surface with freezer paper (adhered with stencil spray adhesive), projecting the image onto the paper using an overhead or slide projector, and tracing the design onto the paper. Each design element is then color-coded and cut out one color at a time. In effect, the usually complex process of producing wall murals is reduced to the simplicity of a paint-by-number scheme. The 40 step-by-step projects include materials lists, color codes, color photos of the finished work, and complete gridded patterns of each design, so even if you don't have access to any of the various projectors adaptable to this process (though they can be rented for surprisingly little), you can still follow the technique using the old-fashioned grid-transfer method.

Not only is Buckingham and Bird's approach ingenious, but their designs are stunning, and greatly varied in style. They fill walls with schools of tropical fish, a soaring Pegasus, peaceful landscapes, an airborne snowboarder, the cow jumping over the moon, a dozing tiger. Doors sport faux wood inlay, a gliding ocean liner, desert scenes. Glass can be "etched" with elegant stencil designs. Floorcloths feature cobblestones or swirling art nouveau designs. Every room in the house is fair game to these two, and not only in the house: one of the authors lives aboard a boat crammed with stenciled surfaces. This volume is both a marvelous source of inspiration and a practical, beautifully produced how-to guide. --Amy Handy

You will be inspired and thrilled by the images you can create using Projection Stenciling. This new technique, created by Linda Buckingham and Leslie Bird, overcomes the design limitations and expense that, unfortunately, can exist with traditional stenciling methods.

Now you can turn almost any image into a design of any size...to be stenciled onto virtually any surface. Want to turn a photo of your dog into a stencil, animate your child's room with a one-of-a-kind mural, or create "etched" glass mirrors and "inlaid" wood tabletops? You can do all this, easily and economically, with Projection Stenciling as your guide. More complex projects used to cost hundreds, even thousands, of dollars using commercial stencils and were limiting in terms of the time required and designs available. Now your tool chest can be as simple as a roll of freezer paper, a felt pen, access to a photocopier and some basic stenciling supplies. Light projectors, easy to rent and surprisingly inexpensive to buy, make this technique even easier.

Inside this beautiful, full-color book, you will find the tools and techniques of Projection Stenciling, step-by-step instructions for over 40 projects and the inspiration to embark on your own designs - all guided by the lively banter of the authors, Linda and Leslie. Beginning and experienced crafters alike can realize transformations of personal space and household belongings within just a few hours. With Projection Stenciling, your imagination is the only limit!

Projection Stenciling is very different from other stenciling methods and this is precisely what makes the book so remarkable. Linda Buckingham and Leslie Bird, both stenciling and decorative painting experts, have combined their experience to overcome frustrations that can occur with traditional stenciling (amount of time required, expenses, and limited design options).

How is Projection Stenciling so different?

1) You can create custom, one-of-a-kind designs. 2) You can transfer images from any source: paintings, photos, digital art, you name it. 3) You can customize sizes to fit any space. 4) You can stencil onto virtually any surface: walls, glass, wood, metal, plastic. 5) Projection Stenciling cuts down dramatically on time and cost, for all skill levels. 6) You will get realistic results - no more cookie-cutter images and you can eliminate bridging (the white space between image components). 7) No artistic experience is required - accessible and satisfying to all skill levels 8) Projection Stenciling is wonderful for school/group/family projects, as well as for individuals.

ENJOY!

The authors' lively humour and long-standing friendship shine through in Projection Stenciling. They will make you laugh at the same time as they inspire you. No one said stenciling had to be serious business! Have fun stenciling "inlaid" wood, "etched" glass, as well as giant murals and trompe l'oeil effects. Linda and Leslie show that, with a little coaching, you don't have to be an artist to create great art!

In Projection Stenciling, authors Linda Buckingham and Leslie Bird show you how images can be enlarged using a projector, the grid system in the book, or a photocopier. If you decide to use a projector, you can rent one for a small price from photography supply stores or office supply shops. You can even purchase a small projector for less than the price of many large commercial stencil kits and buy yourself an entire world of potential wall art.

Linda Buckingham is the co-owner of the highly regarded Buckingham Stencils. Leslie Bird is the owner of Beyond Borders, a decorative painting company. Both authors teach stenciling and decorative painting. They have been friends since grade school and have embarked on many projects together.