Create a relaxing retreat in your very own bathroom by decorating with stencils and freehand paint. Stencils provide a structured means to add on designs, lettering, patterns and more, while a freehanded touch brings in imaginative painting techniques that you can customize to fit your specific needs. Although the words 'freehand painting' may evoke thoughts of wildly erratic drawings, this type of art simply differs from stenciling in that you will sketch out your own images instead of following a pre-made template.
Preparation
1
Prepare your bathroom wall surface. Using a sponge, scrub the wall surface completely clean with water. Dry the walls or allow ample time to air dry. The wall will feel dry to the touch when it is ready to paint.
2
Cover the edges of window sills, door frames or other areas that you do not wish to paint with painters tape. Press the tape firmly along the edge to ensure a quality seal that will not allow paint to seep under.
3
Cover the floor and all fixtures, such as the bathtub, toilet and sink, with a tarp or painters drop cloth.
4
If you are planning to change the base color (underneath the stencils or freehand painting), use a roller to coat the cleaned, dried walls with a mildew resistant shade. Pour the paint into a tray. Use an angled synthetic brush to cut in at the windows, door frames and joints of the walls. Fill in the main wall areas with a paint roller.
Stenciling
5
Select the desired stencils. Interesting bathroom wall decor may include floral patterns, an underwater or ocean theme with shells and fish, lettering or a whimsical child's bathroom covered with stenciled animals. Purchase wall stencils at home improvement stores, arts and crafts suppliers or hardware retailers.
6
Position your stencils on the wall. This is dependent on the size, style and overall decor of the bathroom. For example, if you will be stenciling a near ceiling border, place the first stencil at a place on the top of the wall corner near where it meets the ceiling. A level and ruler will help you to keep the stencils straight. Use painters tape to secure your stencil firmly.
7
Choose colors that match your overall bathroom scheme and complement the stencil. For example, if you are stenciling a floral pattern you would want to use shades of green for the leaves. Pour a golf ball-size amount of stencil paint onto a paint tray or palette.
8
Place the tip of the brush (bristles) into the paint. Gently dab off any excess paint onto the side of the palette or tray. Either tap or swirl your paint covered brush over the stencils.
9
Allow the paint to dry. Remove the stencil. Repeat for other areas of the bathroom.
Freehand Painting
10
Select a design, pattern or image that will complement the decor of the bathroom and the chosen stencils. For example, if you are using an underwater or sea theme, and have stencils for shells, chose a freehand design that features waves, a lighthouse or a sandy beach.
11
Use a ruler and pencil to sketch directly onto the wall. Your freehand drawing can overlap the stencils or wrap around them.
12
Pour several golf ball-size pools of stencil or craft paint onto a palette or tray. Use an artists brush to add in the colors. Depending on your design, you can make even brush strokes, tapped on textures or circular motions. Try a sponge, rag or other tool for special effects.
