Gather everything you need for priming, stenciling , and decorating. It’s best to work on a wipeable surface and have a sponge or stencil brush as well as a soft cloth on hand. This ensures an even application of paint and allows you to wipe away small mistakes immediately before they dry.
1. Prime the “ light arch ”—the foundation for a deep night sky
First, completely prime the “ light arch ” with “ handicraft paint ” in “ navy blue ” and let the paint dry thoroughly. The opaque primer ensures that the blue tones applied later look clean and give the “Winterwald” a harmonious depth. Be sure to paint the edges and curves evenly so that the background looks smooth and seamless later on.
2. Mixing Blue Shades – for a Soft Color Gradient
Next, mix several shades of blue: Start with a light blue and work your way up to a very dark blue . The goal is to create a harmonious gradient that resembles a sky that gets lighter toward the bottom. Quickly test the shades on Paper or an inconspicuous area to ensure the transitions are clearly visible but not harsh.
3. stenciling: Building a Pine Forest Step by Step from the Top Down
For the “ stenciling ,” we used a motif stencil from the VBS "Christmas Time" stencil set. Position the " stencil " along the top edge of the light arch. Using a sponge or brush, apply a shade of blue that’s slightly lighter than the navy blue background. It’s better to dab the paint on in several thin layers rather than applying too much at once. This prevents the paint from running under the “ stencil ” and keeps the fir tree outlines clean and crisp.
4. Create a color gradient—from dark to light
Once your first coat of paint has dried, move the “ stencil ” slightly downward and dab on the next coat using another, slightly lighter shade of blue. Continue working this way, layer by layer. With each new Position , use a lighter shade of blue than before. This creates a smooth transition: at the top, the forest appears darker and denser; at the bottom, lighter and airier. Take your time with the transitions and overlap the areas slightly so that the stenciled forest looks seamless and doesn’t appear divided into stripes.
Once the background and the stencil design are finished, let everything dry completely. This step is important so that you don’t leave fingerprints in the paint when you later place and press down the decorations, and so that the winter forest retains its clear silhouette.
5. Arranging the Fir Trees – Creating Depth and Perspective
Place the fir trees on the base plate as desired and glue them in place. For a natural look, place larger trees toward the back and smaller ones toward the front. This automatically creates a sense of depth, giving your “ light arch ” the classic winter landscape look.
6. Apply “ decorative snow ”—make the ground look like it’s freshly snow-covered
Next, generously coat the entire base with “ handicraft glue ” and spread “ decorative snow ” over it. Make sure no wood is visible and that the bases of the fir trees are completely covered by the snow. The solid blanket of snow visually ties all the elements together and gives the scene a calmer, more refined look.
7. Placing the deer—securing them without extra glue
Now place the deer directly into the still-wet glue or “ decorative snow. ” This will automatically secure them in place, so no additional glue is needed. Press them down gently so they stand firmly, then let the snow surface dry undisturbed.
If you’d like, you can enhance the snowy effect in certain spots by dabbing a little more glue here and there and adding more snow. This makes the winter decoration look lively without appearing cluttered.
8. Attaching the “ chain of light ” to the Arch
Attach the “ chain of light ” to the wooden arch by inserting the lights from the back through the holes provided. Secure them with a bit of hot glue to ensure the lights stay in place.
Your result: wintery decor with a stencil motif for the Christmas season Using “ stencil, ” in shades of blue and “ decorative snow ,” you’ll create an atmospheric “ light arch ” featuring a winter forest that perfectly complements the “ christmas decoration ” and is sure to be a success even for beginners. If you’re looking for more stencil ideas, paints, and supplies for winter craft projects, stop by the online shop and put together your next DIY-set.
