Hello all,

I'm on Flickr now.... so if you want to check my progress, that's a good place to start. I'll do more posting there then here, so just a heads up. This is the link:

[link]

or search: David Soukup (my username)

First, thanks for watching or checking in or whatever. I do appreciate the fans (or haters) of my work. Please please please, read this before messaging me. I can't take it anymore. I am committed to helping others learn the art of stenciling, but there's a limit to what I can do. I know why other artists stop answering them or put up these FAQ's now. Honestly, EVERY ANSWER YOU NEED TO STENCILING IS RIGHT HERE. So please read. So of this is repeated, some of it is changed, but it is essentially everything you need to know, or that I am willing to tell you. Don't get pissed if I don't answer questions of yours that are answered here. I believe I've made it quite simple.

Q: How long have you been stenciling?
A: I started in the Fall of 2006. I hadn't even heard of it before then, but developed a condition in my wrist that made it hard for me to draw anymore, but stenciling doesn't cause me any pain (go figure). I didn't try to fool around with tons of small pieces or images, I went straight to work on creating something that I felt somebody would think was great. I put a lot of patience and time into my first piece and have since earned the respect of many artists for taking my time on my work. My first true multi-layer was Live from New York. It's in my gallery, and has been my most popular piece to date.

Q: Can I do a stencil?
A: Anyone can stencil and do what I do, you just have to be willing to put the time in, which most people can't (I don't know why). But make it about something that you believe in and inspires you. The world has seen enough of che.

Q: What do you cut your stencils out of? Do you ever use cardboard or acetate or etc?
A: I cut my stencils out of regular paper. I go to kinkos and have them print them for me in 11x17 sizes and then I tape them together and cut them out. Paper is cheap and easy to work with. I don't use anything other than paper because I can't get the same detail. It holds up just fine, and I don't see any reason to use anything else (and yes I've heard of it all, oil board, mylar, plastic, card stock).

Q: How do you get your stencils so big and how do you line them up?
A: I work with digital files an enlarge them on the computer. I then print them out in sections and then piece them together. When I finally end up spraying my pieces, I trust my eye and you should to. Printers can sometimes bend the paper or fudge something up, so if it doesn't like right to your eye... it won't.

Q: What kind of paint do you use?
A: Belton. I do not fool around with anything else. No I am not getting paid to say this, but I gladly will if someone from Belton is listening. If you use crappy paint, that's why you get drips, cracks, and massive amounts of underspray. Belton is made for stencils. End of story.

Q; What kind of caps do you use?
A: The ones that come with the can. I don't do any switching up.

Q: How are your stencils so clean? How do you prevent underspray?
A: 2 part answer. I've switched tactics. I used to use spray adhesive, from 3m. Problem is, I got only 1 spray because the glue ruined the stencils. Now, I spray without adhesive, and cut bridges. I spray about 1 inch away and I spray fast. The result is a little fuzzier, but most people can't tell the difference. Alot of the art is in learning how to hold the can. That's a skill in itself. I can make more prints and sell them for cheaper.

Q: How do you make your stencils on the computer?
A: I use a combination of Photoshop, Illustrator, and the actual image and then cut from there. Since I sometimes can't get the computer to give me the result I want, I end up cutting on my own from the original image to give me the colors and gradients that I like. There's a variety of filters and effects I use to get what I want. No, I won't tell you what they are, that's the one mystery I keep (most can figure out the basic ones though).

Q: Why do you focus on buildings and photo-realism so much?
A: My work is all about process. It's about creating a 'wow' factor that alot of art today is lacking (in my opinion) It's the process of putting an image together in such a way that is both challenging and complicated that many people do not understand. It reflects the same way that buildings and cities are built. Besides, I live in Chicago and I see the urban landscape every day. If I lived in the the middle of the woods, I might do trees and nature (probably wouldn't have spray paint) but I am inspired by architecture and the dynamics in which cities are built around. Spray paint is the ultimate urban medium. When you think of urban, you think of spray paint.

Q: Will you cut me a stencil?
A: Yes. What's your price range and time frame?

Q: Do you ever paint on the street?
A: No. I don't believe that my work is suited for that environment. That, and I am disgusting by many 'street artists' that seek to only write their names in illegible scribbles on private property that defaces the city. Tagging isn't art, it's similar to the way a dog pees on a fire hydrant. I love public art and most street art, but I can't agree with those that tag private home-owned business or write people's garage doors, cars, and houses. There is a difference between defacing and beautifying. Look up Peat Wollaeger if you don't understand the difference. With that said, I believe that my work is best suited for gallery or exhibition use. I also don't want someone to buff something out that I spend 100 hours on either.

Q: What is one thing that could make me a better artist?
A: A better artist? I couldn't tell you. I could tell you that your work will get better with the more time you put into it. There is always time for more details in artwork or taking that extra step to add a nice frame or accent to something. Quality is more important than quantity.

Q: Do you use airbrushing ever?
A: No, but maybe it might work for you? Try it?

Q: What is one piece of advice you can give me to become a better stencil artist?
A: Stop asking questions, and go out and try something. I can't tell you what will work for you.... SO STOP ASKING QUESTIONS. I learned everything from studying other works and photos and then trying something. I failed some times and then fixed my failures. Ever choice I make in my stencils is from a mistake I learned in the past. I believe my work is getting better everyday because of this... so GO OUT AND TRY SOMETHING. I can't cut your stencils for you, spray them, and post them... you'll be amazed how much more fun and how much more you learn when you are doing it yourself. Check the woostercollective or stencilrevolution. They have additional links. Youtube stenciling, you'll find something. Hell, google stenciling, you'll find information. But above all, don't put all your stock in one thing, have another plan in case something fails.

On a final note, I realize that not everyone will love what I do. I am okay with that. Not everyone loves Picasso or Monet or Van Gogh. That's the way art is. Yes my work is very photo-shoppy or looks realistic, and maybe lacks style or whatever word someone will invent to describe it. Most Post-Modern work does. Like I said, my work is about process.

Hope this helped some of you. Maybe I forgot something, so if you ask, I will gladly add it here.