I’m super duper excited to share that I’ve partnered with Barb at Joggles to bring you ten new art stencil designs! This was my first time designing 9×12 stencils and I really enjoyed the challenge and came up with some super fun stencils that I think you’re going to looooove using.
For all you gelatin plate enthusiasts, Joggles sells a 9×12 gelatin plate that fits the stencils perfectly!
On Designing Art Stencils
Over the years, I’ve come to see art stencils as more than just tools—they’re creativity multipliers. A single stencil can be used in dozens of different ways. When I sit down to design a new stencil, I’m thinking about:
- Versatility – Can it work in small art journals and on large canvases?
- Layerability – Does it play well with other designs?
- Storytelling potential – Does it invite experimentation and meaning?
These 10 new designs check all those boxes!
Meet the 10 New Art Stencils
Each stencil is cut from durable plastic, which means you can use them again and again. Here’s the run down:
- Carrot Farm – Pretty repeating pattern florals with a little twist. (I confess we’ve been watching Zootopia on repeat and I’ve got carrots on the brain.)
- Branches Overhead – I took a photo of branches over my head and turned it into a stencil. This one is amazing on a gelatin plate!
- Spiky Flowers – A simple design with big impact. This mask allows you to turn an ugly scrap of paper into a beautiful masterpiece. (I have a video tutorial coming up all about that technique!)
- Industrial – This is a super duper versatile stencil. You can use part of it or all of it and it gives you so many interesting shapes to work with. If you need to work on creating interesting negative space in your work, the Industrial Mask can help you out!
- Farm – I originally drew this design planning to create a block print from it. But then I decided it might be fun to have it as a stencil instead. One of the things I love about it is that you can use the patterns in the picture by themselves!
- Super Useful Circles – The title kind of sums it up, don’t you think?!
- Nature Lines Overlapping – I know that I shouldn’t have favorites…but I think this might be it. This is one of those stencils that just looks ah-mazing when used. You *must* try it for yourself!
- Big Flower – This seventies inspired flower stencil offers you the option to stencil the whole design, just the flowers, or just the leaves. All three versions are pretty cool!
- Fractured Forest – I do a lot of walking in our local woods and it’s always fascinating to me to see how the trees and branches all tangle together.
- Map – This is a map of an imaginary city. I love that it’s abstract but also representational.
You can purchase the stencils on the Joggles website.
How to Use Art Stencils
Like I said, a single stencil can be used in dozens of different ways: layered, glittered, sprayed, stamped through, and so much more. The archives of this blog (and my YouTube channel) are packed with stenciling tutorials of all kinds! If you’re looking to cover the basics, check out my free Stencil 101 email course.
In the meantime, here are a few basics to get you started:
ONE: Stencil vs. Mask – What’s the difference and why does it matter?
TWO: Stencil Brush Basics – A classic how-to video and a skill you should have
THREE: Stencil + Gelli Plate – If you haven’t mixed stencils and gelatin printing are you really having fun making art?!
Let’s Get Stenciling!
Over the next week or two, I’ll be sharing tutorials and projects using each of these new stencils.
I can’t wait to see what you make with these new designs. If you share your work on social media, tag me @balzerdesigns and use the hashtag #balzerdesignsstencils so I can cheer you on!
Thanks for stopping by!
Julie, i *love* that you have partnered with Barbara!!!
Thanks! I’m excited about it too!