Tip for Stenciling Eyes

Have you ever heard someone say, "That picture keeps looking at me." Well, here is a tip for stenciling eyes (actually two) and adding realistic effects. The best way to breathe life into a painting is to get it to look back at you. So, let's get to it!

The first tip for stenciling eyes gives a wet and round appearance. Use a very thin artist brush and dip it into white paint. Brush the paint in a half circle motion around the iris (black center) of the eye. The paint of the eye must still be wet so that you get a blending effect.

If the eye color has dried, pour a little on your palette and swirl it around with the white in the half circle motion. Don’t blend the white paint too well. You want the white to leave streaks of the lightened eye color to give the appearance of a deep, glassy look.

The second tip for stenciling eyes is so easy. Use a very thin artistbrush and dip the tip straight down into a dab of white paint. With the same straight down motion, paint a dot or even two just off the center of the iris. This will give the eyes an appearance of light reflection.

Here are some examples using each tip for stenciling eyes described above:

Notice the swirling motion that the white paint left when blended with the wet black paint of the eye. You can see where some of the black paint was pulled back into the white paint with the brush. This really contributes to the glassy effect.

What do you think about the two white dots? Do they remind you of light reflection?

Check out the whole painting below.

I’ve added two more samples of eyes finished with these techniques and the whole picture for you to see the effects. Notice how this works with different shaped eyes.

There is nothing like a pair of puppy dog eyes to pull at your heart strings! I hope these tips for stenciling eyes will help you get that effect in your next painting project.

In an effort to bring to you a complete solution for all of your stenciling needs, we now have a catalog for you to browse a large variety of designs. So, check out our Stencils Catalog for your next project.

Below is a sample of the design books that we offer. The first book includes the designs used as examples for each stenciling tip on this page. Each book will come to you as a down-loadable pdf file in your e-mail. Just check your e-mail after purchase for the link to connect to your file and print or save. It's that easy!

All designs can be adjusted to fit your project size. Instructions are included. Pages are 8.5” x 11”.

If you'd rather get your Stencil Books in Print, just click the blue button below each book.

Click on each Book's Picture for Project Ideas and more stenciling tips.

Zoo Babies: Stencils for a Nursery

This collection includes 7 designs- an Elephant, a Giraffe, a Hippo, a Lion, a Monkey, a Tiger and a Zebra. These were the samples for tips for stenciling eyes above.

This purchase is of a PDF file with 40 pages.

Price: $9.95

To get this Book in Print for just $19.95 click here:

Fleur de lis: Book of Stencils

This collection includes 22 designs. Ten are easy single overlay. Six have 2 overlays and six have 3 overlays.

This purchase is of a PDF file which has 63 pages.

Price: $9.95

To get this Book in Print for just $19.95 click here:

Red-Eyed Tree Frogs

This book contains 4 cute Red-Eyed Tree Frogs for you to paint in your next project. Bring a little of the rain forest to your home. There are 37 pages in this pdf file which includes the stencils of all 4 frogs (each has 5 overlays) and complete instructions.

This purchase is of a PDF file with 36 pages.

Price: $9.95

To get this book in print for just $19.95 click here:

Oriental Designs: A Book of Stencils

This collection includes 16 designs- Chinese Dragon, Bamboo, Oriental Figure with Coolie Hat, Ying Yang Koi, Bonsai Tree and 3 Cranes plus 10 Chinese Symbols (Eternity, Friendship, Happiness, Harmony, Long Life, Peace, Prosperity, Tranquility, Truth and Dragon.

This purchase is of a PDF file with 40 pages.

Price: $9.95

To get this book in print for just $19.95 click here:

The Secret Garden

Create your own private garden retreat. This collection includes 12 designs-fountain, bleeding heart, iris, bee, butterfly, foxglove, grasshopper, hummingbird, trumpet flower, morning glory, stone wall and stove path.

This purchase is of a PDF file with 51 pages.

Price: $9.95

To get this book in print for just $19.95 click here:

For more Stencil Designs (like these), that you can open at your computer and print now or save (No waiting on the Mail Man), just check out our Stencils Catalog for your next project.

If you’d rather get these Stencil Pattern Books in Print, then visit our Printer’s Book Shop for the same designs in book format that will be mailed to you.

The Stencil Designs used as examples on this web site are courtesy of Designs From Penny.

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