Unicorn T-Shirt Tutorial


This design uses a positive stencil.  Use of stencils is NOT cheating.  It helps to ensure uniformity of size and shape in stock designs, especially if there is more than one artist working a location.  I prefer to use stiff pellon to cut my stencils.  It is easily cut with either an x-acto knife or stencil burner.  I will use the x-acto when the stencil needs sharp edges, such as for a circle, five point star, straight line, etc.  Because the stencil burner actually burns the pellon, it doesn’t leave quite as sharp of an edge.  I will use the stencil burner when the object is organic, such as the unicorn in the design here.

3M’s Super 77 spray glue is sprayed on the stencil the first time or two the stencil is used.  Because the Super 77 is a very high-tack adhesive, once there is an initial coating of glue on the stencil, I will use regular artist’s mount spray glue (also a 3M product.) Step 1
I start spraying the rainbow.  First is light blue, then yellow.  I also mist a tiny amount of blue around the bottom of the horse's legs and clouds. Step 2
Next is fluorescent pink and fluorescent violet. Step 3
The stencil is removed. Step 4
Since the shirt is light gray, I mist white over the horse and clouds. Step 5
I use pthalo blue to outline and shade the horse.  It is also used for the mane and tail. Step 6
The names are added using black. Step 7
I use the fluorescent violet to add a drop shadow to the names.  Opaque white is used for the highlights on the names. Step 8




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