Project 1069 Through the Mask | Digital Project | Stencil-led structure & rhythm in mixed media collage

Through the Mask

Project 1069 explores how stencils and acrylic paint can bring structure and rhythm to collage built from texture and pattern.

In this Curious Collage Society skill-building mixed media project, you’ll begin by creating your own focal point using simple shapes—such as flowers, stripes, circles, or stacked forms—cut from patterned papers. From there, you’ll layer stenciled acrylic marks selectively, learning how repetition, spacing, and restraint can organize busy surfaces without flattening them.

Rather than relying on traditional imagery, this project focuses on shape, pattern, and mark placement as compositional tools. You’ll practice applying acrylic paint sparingly, using stencils as a grounding framework that guides the eye while leaving space for intuition.

This project is paired with Textrimania, whose patterned surfaces and tactile quality are especially well suited to stencil-led structure.

What You’ll Explore

• Creating focal points without traditional imagery
• Using stencils as grounding and organizing tools
• Applying acrylic paint with restraint and intention
• Balancing repetition, open space, and layered texture

How This Project Works

Designed as an experiment first and a finished piece second, Project 1069 teaches how to stop before the pattern feels complete. By allowing structure to support intuition instead of controlling it, you’ll discover how limited color, simple shapes, and thoughtful repetition can turn texture into composition.

This project reinforces a Curious Collage Society principle: structure doesn’t limit creativity—it gives it somewhere to land.

Search Terms

stencil collage techniques, acrylic stencil mixed media, curious collage society project, pattern-based collage composition, creating focal points with stencils, mixed media texture layering, restrained acrylic paint collage, skill building mixed media pdf

Tear Up, Cut Up and Stick On