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stencil

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition | 2008 | The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright 2008 Columbia University Press. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

stencil cutout device of oiled or shellacked tough and resistant paper, thin metal, or other material used in applying paint, dye, or ink to reproduce its design or lettering upon a surface. Designing an art stencil differs from ordinary drawing, since the design itself must be cut away, and ties must be arranged to hold the background together and to give definition to the pattern, somewhat in the manner of lines in mosaic or leaded glass. In a repeating border or design, registers are cut to coincide with some small detail or dot to enable the user to place the stencil accurately for each repetition. It is held securely upon the surface, while the stencil brush (with square-cut stiff bristles) is manipulated to work the medium over it (in a circular movement for fabrics) until every detail is evenly colored. The technique has been employed since ancient times for the decoration of walls and ceilings, pottery, furniture, textiles, leather, and small objects. It is also used in mimeographing, addressing, and lettering cases or cartons for shipping. The Chinese and Japanese employ a tough mulberry paper, making intricate stencils that are collected for their beauty. The silk-screen stencil, an innovation in silk-screen printing , is used for posters, wallpapers and textiles. In handwork, silk fabric is stretched on a frame and then coated with glue or other impervious material; a stencil paste, rubbed on with a squeegee, passes through the uncoated portions. The method has been adapted by artists to make prints known as serigraphs.

Bibliography: See A. Bishop and C. Lord, The Art of Decorative Stenciling (rev. ed. 1985); L. LeGrice, The Art of Stenciling (1987).

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"stencil." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 6 Jul. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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stencil

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | 1996 | | © The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology 1996, originally published by Oxford University Press 1996. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

stencil †ornament with bright colours XIV; (from the sb.) produce with a stencil plate XVIII. ME. stansel, stencel — OF. estanceler, estenceler, f. estencele (mod. étincelle) :- Rom. *stincilla, for L. scintilla spark.
Hence stencil sb. perforated plate for producing a pattern. XVIII.

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T. F. HOAD. "stencil." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 6 Jul. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture | 2000 | | © A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture 2000, originally published by Oxford University Press 2000. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

stencil.
1. Thin sheet of metal, card, etc., in which holes have been cut, of such shape as when a paint-brush is applied, patterns are created on the wall behind.

2. Pattern produced by stencilling, often found in Gothic Revival interiors.

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JAMES STEVENS CURL. "stencil." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. Oxford University Press. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 6 Jul. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JAMES STEVENS CURL. "stencil." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. Oxford University Press. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (July 6, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O1-stencil.html

JAMES STEVENS CURL. "stencil." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. Oxford University Press. 2000. Retrieved July 06, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O1-stencil.html

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