I've spent way too much time staring at blank pages lately, but Jane Davenport stencils always seem to kickstart my brain whenever I'm feeling stuck. There's something about the way she designs her tools that feels less like a rigid template and more like a gentle nudge from a creative friend. If you've ever dipped your toes into the world of mixed media, you probably know that Jane's style is all about whimsical faces, flowing hair, and that "boho-chic" vibe that makes everything look like it belongs in a high-end art gallery.
For a long time, I was a bit of a purist. I thought using stencils was somehow "cheating" or that it would make my art look like everyone else's. I couldn't have been more wrong. Once I actually started playing with her designs, I realized they're more like scaffolding. They give you the structure you need so you can spend your energy on the fun stuff, like blending colors and adding texture.
Why the Face Stencils Are a Total Game Changer
Let's be real: drawing faces is hard. Getting the eyes symmetrical or the nose in the right spot can be a recipe for a meltdown when you just want to relax and paint. That's where the Jane Davenport stencils for faces really shine. She has this way of capturing proportions that feel feminine and dreamy without being too realistic or stiff.
When I use her face stencils, I usually start by lightly tracing the outline with a pencil or a waterproof fine-liner. From there, the stencil goes away, and I'm left with a perfect map. I can change the eye shape, make the lips poutier, or add a dramatic set of eyelashes. It's not about copying a face; it's about having a reliable starting point so I don't end up with one eye hovering near the ear.
The best part is that these stencils aren't just one-trick ponies. You can use different parts of different stencils to create a totally unique character. Maybe you love the jawline from one but the "eye-fancie" look from another. It's all about mixing and matching until it feels like your own work.
Mixing Media Without the Stress
One thing I love about Jane's stencils is how sturdy they are. They aren't those flimsy, paper-thin pieces of plastic that tear the moment you look at them sideways. Since they're made for mixed media, they can handle a lot of abuse. I've used everything from heavy body acrylics to her own "Incredible Inks" through them, and they hold up beautifully.
If you're a fan of texture, try using a palette knife to scrape some modeling paste through a stencil. Jane has some beautiful mandala and scale patterns that look incredible when they're popped up off the page. Once the paste dries, you can run a wet brush with some watercolor over the top, and the paint will settle in the grooves. It's one of those "wow" effects that's actually incredibly easy to pull off.
I've also found that these stencils work surprisingly well with dry media. If you aren't in the mood for a messy cleanup, just grab some PanPastels or even just some colored pencils. Rubbing a little pigment through the stencil gives a soft, airbrushed look that's perfect for adding subtle details to a background or a soft glow around a focal point.
Layering Like a Pro
If you look at any of Jane Davenport's own journals, you'll notice that her pages are incredibly layered. It's never just one thing; it's a million little things that come together. Her stencils are designed with this layering philosophy in mind.
I like to start with some of the more abstract patterns—like the "L'il Bits" or the "Background" series—to create some initial movement on the page. You don't even have to use the whole stencil. Just pick a corner, dab some light blue paint, and move it around. By the time you get to the main subject of your piece, you already have this rich, textured background that makes the whole thing feel more professional.
The trick to not making it look messy is to vary the opacity. I'll do some layers really darkly so they pop, and others I'll do with a sponge that's almost dry, so it looks like a faint ghost of a pattern. It adds so much depth to a journal page without requiring you to be a master of perspective or shading.
Keeping Things Fresh and Personal
One concern people often have is that their art will look too much like Jane's. And hey, her style is iconic, so it's easy to fall into that. But the beauty of Jane Davenport stencils is that they are incredibly versatile if you push yourself to experiment.
Try flipping the stencil over to get a mirrored image. Use the "negative" space—the part of the plastic you'd normally ignore—to mask off areas of your page. I've even used the edges of the stencils to create straight lines or weird geometric shapes that weren't even intended by the design.
Another fun trick is to use the stencils with "invisible" media. You can use a clear embossing ink through the stencil, sprinkle on some clear powder, and heat it up. Then, when you swipe watercolor over it, the pattern magically appears. It's a great way to add "secret" details to your work that people only notice when they look closely.
Care and Cleaning (Or Lack Thereof)
I'll be honest: I am not the person who cleans my stencils immediately after every use. I know some people find it therapeutic to wash everything with warm soapy water right away, but I'm usually too caught up in the creative flow.
The good news is that Jane Davenport stencils are pretty forgiving. If you're using watercolors or inks, a quick wipe with a baby wipe is usually enough to keep them from staining too badly. If you've let acrylic paint dry on them well, that's just "extra texture" for the next time you use it! Honestly, a little dried paint doesn't usually hurt the performance unless it's clogging up really fine details.
If you do want to keep them pristine, a shallow tray of water on your desk is a lifesaver. Just toss the stencil in there as soon as you're done with it, and the paint won't have a chance to harden. It makes the cleanup process way less of a chore at the end of the night.
Why They Are Worth the Investment
There are plenty of cheap stencils out there, but I keep coming back to Jane's for a few reasons. First, the designs are just better. She's an artist first and a product designer second, and it shows. The proportions are right, the patterns are interesting, and they feel cohesive.
Second, the size is perfect for journaling. A lot of stencils are either tiny or massive, but hers fit perfectly in a standard art journal or a traveler's notebook. They're easy to tuck into the back pocket of your journal so you can take them with you if you like to create on the go.
At the end of the day, these tools are meant to make art-making more accessible and fun. If you've been feeling like your art has hit a bit of a plateau, grabbing a few Jane Davenport stencils might be exactly what you need to shake things up. They take the pressure off of being "perfect" and remind you that art is supposed to be about play. So, grab a sponge, pick a color that makes you happy, and see where the stencils take you. You might be surprised at how much you can create when you have the right tools in your hand.