The art of stenciling

For seasonal window painting, such as Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween,etc. I have found that Tempera with a few drops of Dish Detergent mixed into it works really well. This makes the paint stick to the window no matter what the shop proprietor has cleaned the windows with and comes off easily. Although I don’t clean the windows as part of my service, I have gotten very positive feedback from my regular clients.

I use a large wooden box to carry all of my supplies so they are portable. I use disposable pie pans for color mixing because throwing them away makes for easy clean up. I squirt out the required amount of paint and add a few drops to the pie pan. If I am going to mix a custom color I use the same procedure. I use red, blue, yellow, green, black and white. Any other colors I mix. For my brush supply disposable brushes are good with just a couple of good synthetic fiber brushes for details. A roll or two of paper towels, and a plastic bucket for water are all that is needed and you are ready to go into business. Drop your brushes into the bucket of water as you paint and clean them all thoroughly between jobs. I don’t use rollers at all because my windows are completely hand painted. I have used sponges for snow and simple snow flake stencils. Especially if I have assistants who don’t feel confident in their painting skills. You can make simple snow flake stencils by cutting out the plastic lids of coffee cans, or shortening cans. Just cut a tab in the center to hold on to it while you sponge around it.

To make your work distinctive think of special designs for each client. I have some generic Santa’s, bunnies, witches, etc. but try to create unique versions of them so my clients know they have a truly personal window design. I ask the client if they have any special requests and sketch out a sample for their approval. Some of my favorites were Pancho Clause for a Mercado, Santa’s sleigh pulled by eight camels for a date shop, a skinny chicken with a fake beard for a feed store and Mrs. Santa and elves cleaning Santa’s sleigh for a Vacuum shop.

Because I work with fairly traditional themes I also use traditional colors, not the hot day glow colors that have become popular with generic window painters. Use your large flat brush to practice Calligraphy and you will be able to paint greetings with confidence. Outline the letters with the detail brush and dot with sponge snow for a really festive look. Easter chicks and bunnies can also be done with the sponge to give them a fuzzy effect. Paint the base color shape first and then add touches of fuzz with a lighter color. I have earned good Christmas and special event money with this as a side line to my fine art career. Also remember to get a business license for each city that you will be working in. Take pictures of your windows for your portfolio for next year. I love working on such a large format and knowing it is disposable helps me to enjoy the task and not get hung up on attachment to my painting.

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Originally posted 2009-08-10 00:00:00. Republished by Old Post Promoter

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