Welcome to our stencil workshop

Great to have you here! Today we will create a realistic 3D balloon artwork together using stencils. Our workshop is divided into many individual steps so that you can work perfectly together as a team and everyone can contribute their part.

🎈3-D Balloon Workshop (3 hours)

1️⃣ Each team designs a balloon on its own paper.

2️⃣ This balloon will be cleaned later cut out.

3️⃣ The cut out balloons are placed on a canvas glued, which you also design together.

Short instructions:

1. Share in groups

One group per balloon and an additional group for the background. Up to 5 people per group.

2. Cuts out the first layer of the template

Look for the label "Layer 1" at the top. Cut out the black areas with the scalpel.

3. Fixes the cut stencil

Place the stencil on a new sheet of paper and fix it with masking tape.

4. paints the first layer

Color the cut-out areas with the pen indicated on the template. Remember to mark the corners.

5. Let the color dry

Before you fix and paint the second layer, the paint should be properly dry.

6. Cut the second layer out

Look for the label "Layer 2" at the top. Cut out the black areas with the scalpel.

7. Fix and align the second layer

Place the corner markings of the second layer over the colored markings of the first. Fix the stencil in place.

8. paint the second layer over the first

Color the cut-out areas with the pen indicated on the template.

9. Let the color dry

Before you fix and paint the second layer, the paint should be properly dry.

10. Repeat the steps 6-8 for all other layers

Color the cut-out areas with the pen indicated on the template. Remember to mark the corners.

11. Cut the balloon out

Carefully cut along the outer edges of the balloon. 

12. Puts together the different balloons

Glue the balloons in the correct order onto a large canvas and your work of art is ready!

What do you expect today ?

It could look like this in the end

Here you can see an example of what your finished 3D silver balloon could look like. This is just an example. Let your creativity run wild and design the background and details completely according to your ideas.

Sequence

1. Preparation

2. Create background

3. Cut out templates

4. Paint balloon

5. Fine cut

6. Cut out balloon

7. Put together artwork

Step 1: 15 minutes

Preparation

If you come together as a large group, you can divide yourselves as follows:

  • One balloon per group.
  • background of the canvas  by an extra group.

list of materials

You need:

  • cutting board and a sharp scalpel
  • 7 different pens (one color for each layer)
  • stencils with the necessary markings
  • painter's tape to fix the stencils
  • A3 paper in thick quality (so that the pens do not bleed through). Extra copies of each template are useful
  • canvas

prepare the workplace
  • Set up a clean, well-lit workspace.
  • Create two areas: one for cutting and one for painting.
  • Tip: Keep a small container ready for paper scraps and a damp rag for quick cleanups.

Step 2: 30 minutes

Create background

All groups come together briefly to brainstorm together:

  • How can you design the background creatively?
  • Which colors, patterns or shapes match your balloons and the overall concept?

sketches and exercises

Take a few minutes and sketch out your ideas on scratch paper. Feel free to experiment with different designs - anything is possible!

implementation

The background team implements the discussed ideas on the screen. You move on to the next step - cutting out the stencilsThis way we work in parallel and efficiently.

Step 3: 20 minutes / layer

Cut out stencils

Place the stencil on your cutting board and secure it with masking tape. Cut only the black areas and leave the white areas untouched. Always cut the corner markings (+) out of.

 

Important: Always start with layer 1, as this is the base at the bottom. 

 

Works efficiently: Paint stencil 1 directly so that the paint can dry until stencil 2 is finished and so on.

Reading the template correctly

On each template you will find important information:

  • shift number: e.g. "Layer 1/7"
  • Alignment arrows: Show you what is up and down
  • Corner markings: You always have to cut these out. They will help you later when applying the layers correctly
  • pen color: Indicates which pen you should use later for filling

Tips for cutting
  • It is better to twist the paper than to twist your scalpel in an uncomfortable way.
  • Pull the scalpel evenly rather than cutting at a 90° angle
  • If the cut is not clean, simply use a replacement copy of the template.
  • After each cut, check that all important markings have been cut out cleanly.

Step 4: 10 minutes / layer

Paint balloon

Once you have cut out "Layer 1/7", you can start coloring:

  • Prepare fresh paper for the letter.
  • Fix layers 1/7 on the paper.
  • Stick to the intended color of the layers and paint the cut-out areas evenly.

General process of painting

It is placed layer by layer in the correct order - from 1 to 7. Each additional layer adds additional details:

  • Color layer 1/7
  • Let the paint from layer 1/7 dry
  • Align layer 2/7 to layer 1/7 using the corner markers
  • Color Layer 2/7 
  • Let the color of layer 2/7 dry
  • ...

Color in the corner markings!

Also color the corner markings precisely so that you can align the following layers properly.

Create next template

Align the template precisely to the existing alignment points. This means that the cut out crosses (+) must lie over the colored crosses of the other stencils!

Let the paint dry

This will prevent the paint from smearing and keep your artwork clean.

Step 5: 20 minutes

Fine -tuning

If you want, you can make small corrections or add additional details (e.g. shadows or highlights).

Trace the border and contours (optional)

Use a fine pen to lightly trace the outer lines of your balloon.

 

Be careful not to go too far. It's just about defining the outlines more clearly. Check that all the edges are even.

Set highlights (optional)

They make the balloon appear more lifelike and enhance the 3D effect.

Use a slightly lighter color (e.g. silver or white).

 

Focus on highlighting where the light hits. This is usually the top edges and the areas where two layers meet.

 

Tip:
Work in small steps and build up the highlights slowly to avoid overloading.