stencilwork
Art through cutouts
Stencilwork is decorative or artistic work created using stencils—templates with cut-out shapes through which paint or ink is applied to a surface.
The term covers everything from home décor projects to street art: The café featured colorful stencilwork on its walls.
It emphasizes the technique rather than any single piece.
Shape removed from material
- spraypaintPressurized pigment in cans
- airbrushCompressed-air paint sprayer
- pounceSudden attack leap
- silkscreenStencil printing through mesh
screenprint · masking · layering · registration · overspray · stippling · dabbing · sponging
Summary of key elements
- silhouetteFilled-in outline shape
- guideLeader or instruction book
- shapeExternal outline of something
- formShape or document
pattern · cutout · aperture · opening · border · frame · edge · reusable
Illegal surface markings
- muralWall-applied artwork
- taggingAttaching identifying markers
- wheatpasteStarch-based adhesive
- installationProcess of putting in
signage · lettering · typography · calligraphy · illustration
Shaping sheets into designs
- printmakingProducing images through impression
- silhouetteFilled-in outline shape
- embossingRaising designs from surfaces
- woodcutRelief print from timber
linocut · batik · dyeing · quilting · scrapbooking · cardmaking
Recurring thematic element
- geometricRelating to mathematical shapes
- repetitionAct of redoing
- symmetryInvariance under transformation
- tessellationGapless plane coverage
grid · chevron · herringbone · damask · arabesque · floral · scroll · border
cutout
Shape removed from material
- spraypaintPressurized pigment in cans
- airbrushCompressed-air paint sprayer
- pounceSudden attack leap
silkscreen · screenprint · masking · layering · registration · overspray · stippling · dabbing · sponging · blocking
outline
Summary of key elements
- silhouetteFilled-in outline shape
- guideLeader or instruction book
- shapeExternal outline of something
form · pattern · cutout · aperture · opening · border · frame · edge · reusable · mylar
graffiti
Illegal surface markings
- muralWall-applied artwork
- taggingAttaching identifying markers
- wheatpasteStarch-based adhesive
installation · signage · lettering · typography · calligraphy · illustration
papercutting
Shaping sheets into designs
- printmakingProducing images through impression
- silhouetteFilled-in outline shape
- embossingRaising designs from surfaces
woodcut · linocut · batik · dyeing · quilting · scrapbooking · cardmaking
motif
Recurring thematic element
- geometricRelating to mathematical shapes
- repetitionAct of redoing
- symmetryInvariance under transformation
tessellation · grid · chevron · herringbone · damask · arabesque · floral · scroll · border · frieze
drafting
Creating technical blueprints
- sketchHasty informal drawing
- layoutSpatial arrangement of elements
- compositionArranged elements forming whole
prototype · rendering · vector · digital · scaling · sizing · bridging · islands · ties · webs
stencilworkfreehand drawing
Art made without guides
action painting · abstract expressionism · freehand · finger painting · brushwork
work, workshop, workmanship, stencil, stenciling, stenciled, stenciller