• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
  • All DIY
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Houses
Petticoat Junktion
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • All DIY
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Houses
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • All DIY
    • Recipes
    • Travel
    • Houses
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Painted Furniture » How To Stencil Using Multiple Colors For A Designer Look

    How To Stencil Using Multiple Colors For A Designer Look

    Modified: Feb 14, 2023 by Kathy Owen
    This post may contain affiliate links

    Share on Facebook Share on Pinterest Share on LinkedIn Share on Twitter <use href="#<svg width="1em" height="1em" viewBox="0 0 32 32" class="scriptlesssocialsharing__icon flipboard" fill="currentcolor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" role="img"> <title>flipboard</title> <path d="M24.997 13.001h-5.998v5.998h-5.998v5.998h-5.998v-17.995h17.995zM1.004 1.004v29.991h29.991v-29.991z"></path> </svg>" xlink:href="# flipboard "> Share on Flip it

    Learn how to stencil using multiple paint colors to give any design a professional look. This special stencil technique is used to create an unbelievably beautiful stenciled design. I learned this technique a few years ago in my trial-and-error painting days.

    How To Stencil Using Multiple Colors

    How To Stencil Using Multiple Colors

    Our den is decorated in the deep, rich, colors of Fall so I choose the colors for the stencil to match my decor. You guys know how much I love color, the bolder the better. No Farmhouse style here.

    Project for Plaid FolkArt Paint and Stencil challenge

    The cedar chest is a thrifty find from my favorite junk shop. The chest was topless and a little beat up but for $7 who’s complaining and of course it's perfect for painting.

    Paint project using FolkArt Chalk in Spanish Moss

    The color I chose is Spanish Moss in FolkArt Home Decor Chalk. I love the chalk finish ultra matte look. The FolkArt Home Decor Chalk Brush is one of my favorite tools. It holds a lot of paint and usually, one coat of chalk paint does the trick.

    FolkArt Home Decor Chalk in Spanish Moss Petticoat Junktion paint project pj

    The chalk paint levels out nicely too so no brush marks. You can apply wax over the paint but it's not necessary.

    How To Stencil Using Multiple Colors

    FolkArt Home Decor Stencil Peony

    1. Select The Stencil

    For added glam, I decided on a large wall/furniture stencil for the side of the chest. The FolkArt Home Decor Peony Stencil is just gorgeous and I knew the perfect color combo to take it over the top. This is a one-piece stencil.  It's not necessary to buy a multi layer stencil to use multiple paint colors in the design.

    FolkArt stencil

    I don’t want you guys to freak out or anything, but I cut the stencil in two. I know….but it’s okay. I still have both parts! To position the stencil for the best effect I needed to cut it. Some of you may have a workaround but this worked best for me.

    I am not much on centering stuff or making things look symmetrical. That's why I placed the floral stencil on one end of the front of the chest. I taped down the outer edges of the stencil with painter's tape.

    2. Choose The Paint Colors

    how to stencil

    Now comes the really cool part. Metallic Paint. The shinier the better I say. I selected three FolkArt Acrylic Metallic paint colors; Solid Bronze, Copper, and Antique Gold for the project.

    3. Pour Paints Onto A Paper Plate

    FolkArt Metallic Solid Bronze

    Before starting the stenciling I pour my paints onto a paper plate. It's kind of hard to get that stencil brush down into the paint bottle so this works great. It doesn't take much paint at all to stencil a design so don't waste your paint.

    4. Dip Stencil Brush Into Paint.

    Be sure and choose the right size stencil brush. Brushes come in a wide variety of widths. The choice of brush will depend on the size of the cutout details in the design. Dip your brush into the paint.

    5. Wipe Excess Paint From The Brush

    The secret to stenciling is using a dry paint brush. That means you need to wipe excess paint from the brush onto a paper towel or paper plate. You keep wiping the paint off until the brush is almost dry. You might think you can't see the color once it's stenciled if you have such a small amount of paint but that's not true. Using the dry brush technique will keep you from getting those ugly blobs of paint under your stencil.

    FolkArt Metallic Paint in Antique Gold

    6. Stencil The Design Using Multiple Paint Colors

    The first color I stenciled with is Solid Bronze. Sometimes I swirl the stencil brush but with the highly detailed stencil, pouncing worked best. I didn’t cover the stenciled area completely. Remember we have 3 metallic paint colors for the job. The edges of the stencil I couldn’t tape down I held in place with my free hand. I don’t normally use stencil adhesive but you certainly can.

    7. Add Depth To The Stencil

    Once the first color was dry I applied the second color, Antique Gold. Don’t try to paint all areas of the stencil evenly. It will look more realistic to use a random color pattern. Just apply the antique gold color willy-nilly.

    FolkArt metallic paints and Peony Stencil project

    FolkArt Copper Metallic Paint

    I applied the Copper color as the finishing touch for the stencil. Or so I thought. Once the paint was dry and I stepped back to look at my work I knew it needed something else. The metallic colors were beautiful but the flower didn’t seem to have the depth I was looking for.

    FolkArt Acrylic Paint Burnt Umber

    FolkArt Acrylic Paint in Burnt Umber

    I went back to my acrylic paint drawer and  pulled out a dark acrylic paint called Burnt Umber and poured a little bit onto the paper plate. I stenciled the paint along the outer edge of the flower and a few other areas. Again using a random pattern with the paint.

    How To Stencil Using Multiple Colors

    How To Stencil Using Multiple Colors

     

    And the pretty peony turned out just like I envisioned. The peony stencil is such a lovely design. I can see it on a white wall stenciled in metallic silver. Wouldn’t that be dramatic? I painted the cedar chest so I would have a place to store my pillows. The colors of the stencil are so pretty against the leaf print of the pillows and the recliner.

    How to stencil with multiple paint colors and metallic paints

    How to stencil with multiple paint colors and metallic paints

    The stencil took about 30 minutes to complete. Really. Do you see how layering paint colors give the stencil depth and character? Some stencils come with two or three sheets used to get this effect. You really just need one stencil.

     

    How to stencil using multiple paint colors and metallic paints

    How to stencil using multiple paint colors and metallic paints

    I decided against using a sealer or wax over the paint. I like the contrast of the metallics against the matte chalk. What’s your favorite part of the project? Don’t be shy. Thanks for being here, Kathy

    "This post first appeared on Petticoat Junktion in October of 2016. Reposted for those of you who have questions about the proper way to stencil."

    Kathy Owen
    Website

    Author: Kathy Owen (Petticoat Junktion)
    Kathy is the founder of PetticoatJunktion.com, a home décor blog focused on repurposing and upcycling furniture, old hardware, rusty stuff, and thrifty finds into unique home décor. Kathy’s projects have been featured on the Home Depot Blog, Plaid Crafts, Behr Designer Series, and in numerous magazines. Read more about Kathy here.

    Similar Posts For You....

    • feature image collage white painted furniture with text
      13 Furniture Makeovers With White Paint
    • how to apply floral transfers to painted furniture
      How To Apply Re-Design By Prima Rub On Floral Transfers To Furniture
    • Yes you can paint furniture with latex paint
      Yes You Can Paint Furniture With Latex Paint | No Sanding Or Priming
    • painted beds
      Antiquing Painted Furniture: 13 Tutorials Showing How To Antique or Age Paint

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jayne

      May 23, 2023 at 12:47 pm

      How long do you wait after the base coat paint before you stencil? I don't want to mess up the new paint by sticking a stencil on to it.

      Reply
      • Kathy Owen

        May 23, 2023 at 8:49 pm

        I would wait 24 hours but it usually isn't a problem. I don't use sticky stencils normally.

    2. Laura

      May 12, 2022 at 8:52 pm

      I came upon your page to see how to add a personal touch to my furniture. What you have done is truly beautiful. You have turned furniture into art which has inspired me to go ahead and try to do the same. The depth and colour choices are perfect.

      Reply
    3. Diane Scotch

      February 24, 2022 at 8:28 am

      Kathy, I’m a beginner crafter. So take what I say as minimal. When I first looked at the finished product I gasped. It is an eye illusion. I could see 3-D with the green hanging over the orange. Beautiful.

      Reply
    4. Loretta

      February 23, 2022 at 11:11 am

      I think I love this stencil and plan to do it on something soon! Most impressive
      Loretta c.

      Reply
    5. shelley

      February 23, 2022 at 9:21 am

      wow....that is beautiful...

      Reply
    6. Julie

      February 23, 2022 at 8:25 am

      That turned out amazing! I freaked about cutting the stencil LOL but I understand why you did it.

      Reply
    7. Rhonda

      February 23, 2022 at 6:34 am

      Oh Kathy, the trunk is beautiful. I love the contrasts between the green and metallic color. Just beautiful!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Kathy!

    The creator at Petticoat Junktion and I love decorating my home. My decor is an eclectic mix......

    More about me →

    Popular

    • weathered coastal style furniture
      How To Weather Furniture: Painted Sideboard Coastal Or Nantucket Style?
    • favorite furniture makeover
      Exceptional Painted Furniture Makeovers

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home.

    SUBSCRIBE
    • About
    • All DIY
    • Tutorials
    • Shop
    • Crafts
    • Home Decor
    • Painted Furniture
    • Projects

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 · PETTICOAT JUNKTION · PRIVACY POLICY