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Layered Nativity Canvas Magic with Sharon Hankins 🌟
Layered Nativity Canvas with Sharon Hankins
Hi friends! Sharon Hankins of I Restore Stuff joined us for a festive tutorial featuring the new Nativity Stencil Collection from Essential Stencil. In this project, Sharon creates a beautiful three-panel layered Nativity scene on canvas — perfect for displaying through the Christmas season.
Bethlehem Night Scene
Materials:
- Bethlehem Scene with Palms Stencil
- Stencil Brush Set
- Storm Blue paint, white paint, and clay shade paint
- 12x12" pre-painted canvas
Start by preparing three canvases painted in Storm Blue — one 12x12" and two 13x10". On the 12x12" canvas, tape down your Bethlehem Scene with Palms Stencil. Mix white and storm blue paint, then lightly blend over the skyline to create a soft silhouette.
Lift the stencil and let it dry. For a layered look, add the house design from the Holy Night Nativity Stencil using clay shade paint.
Helpful Tip:
Place a firm board under your canvas to prevent the paint from bleeding through while stenciling. Use light, tapping motions with your stencil brush.
Holy Family & Stable Scene
Materials:
- Holy Night Nativity Stencil
- Mini Stencil Brush Set
- Brown, white, yellow, blue, and skin-tone paints
- 13x10" pre-painted canvas
Position the manger stencil in the center of the house and fill with brown paint. Then, add Joseph beside the manger using clay paint. Once dry, stencil the roof in yellow paint for a warm glow. Add a second coat for brightness.
Next, layer the manger detail in yellow, and once dry, stencil Baby Jesus using white paint and a mini brush. Add faces and hands in clay, Joseph’s robe in dark brown, and Mary’s veil in bright blue.
Helpful Tip:
Allow each layer to dry completely before adding the next color. This helps maintain crisp stencil lines and prevents smudging.
Starry Sky with Angels & Wise Men
Materials:
- Herald Angels & Stars Stencil
- Three Wise Men Stencil
- Shepherd & Stable Animals Stencil
- White, gold, brown, gray, blue, and green paints
- Two 13x10" pre-painted canvases
Add the large star from the Holy Night Nativity Stencil using white paint. Then add smaller stars from the Herald Angels & Stars Stencil for a sparkling sky.
Add two angels from the same set beside the star. Paint their robes white and wings in yellow, then let the canvas dry.
On each 13x10" canvas, add palm trees using the Bethlehem Scene with Palms Stencil. Fill both with clay paint.
Add the shepherd and stable animals using the Shepherd & Stable Animals Stencil. Paint the shepherd’s details in earthy tones, and vary the animal colors for contrast.
Finally, on the last canvas, use the Three Wise Men Stencil to create the Magi on camels. Layer with light and dark browns for shading and blue for the saddle blankets.
Helpful Tip:
Use dry-brushing in white to soften transitions and add a subtle glow. This ties all three canvases together beautifully.
Display & Gift Ideas
This layered Nativity canvas display makes a heartfelt holiday décor piece or a thoughtful handmade gift. Try displaying all three canvases side-by-side above a mantel or on a holiday table.
Feeling inspired? Browse all new stencil arrivals to create your own Christmas collection!
Watch the Full Tutorial
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