Are there different types of stencil strokes?

Yes. There are four common types of strokes for stenciling.

Circular: Use a circular stroke to achieve an evenly shaded print. Move the loaded brush in a clockwise direction, focusing on the outside edge of the cutout area. The circular stroke is recommended when using dry brush paint. If acrylic paints are used, care must be taken to remove excess paint from the brush and to keep a light pressure on the brush to prevent smudged prints.

Pouncing: A pounced stroke is ideal for beginners, as it will not readily cause a smudged print. Apply the paint in an up-and-down pouncing motion. The more you pounce, the more solid or opaque the print will become.

Sweeping: Use a back-and-forth sweeping stroke to create a directional print. This stroke is especially effective in large cut out areas, or when using a flat stencil brush. Use caution - too much paint on the brush can result in a brush-under smudge.

Rolling: The stencil roller can by used with one or two shades of paint. A darker color can then be added to accent ares of the stencil or for the second overlay. The finished print will not have outside edge shading.

Combination: A combination stroke blends pouncing, circular and sweeping strokes. This is a secondary stroke added after the stencil is first rolled on the surface. Then certain design elements can be added using a different technique.