Templating Your Art: Stencil Graffiti
Stencilling has actually been around for 25 years, even though many people think Banksy first did it. You can employ paper, cardboard or other forms of media (such as plastics) to create templated imagery and text. You merely cut out the design from your cardboard/paper/other surface, put said surface onto a wall (example), then spray or roll-on paint.
The definitive principle of stencilling is creating outlines via cutting shapes, and spraying paint within these cutout shapes – creating unmistakable graphics on the surface underneath. It’s also feasible to apply multiple layers of stencils to create an illusion of depth or even add colours.
So why do some individuals opt to be a stencil artist? For a few, it is a great platform to shout out a political message. Many artists value the publicity that their art can acquire. Some only desire their work to be seen. As the stencil stays uniform throughout its use, it is easier for a stencil artist to rapidly copy what could be an involved artwork at a very speedy pace, when compared to other established tagging methods, so without doubt, there is also a compelling promotional reason to get involved with stencilling.
Banksy has used stencilling as a way to make a point, often quite succinctly, leaving the witness to work out that very point in their head. This is often why people enjoy his work so much, as they make the viewer think. Banksy artwork is being reprinted on posters, t-shirts and canvas, such is the popularity of the street artist.
