Tools + Materials

• paper
• colored pencils and/or markers
• hollow-core doors, three
• ruler
• pencil
• painter’s masking tape
• stencil
• latex paint
• paintbrush
• stencil brush
• hinges and screws, six
• screwdriver

1. Sketch your design on paper, then color it with markers or colored pencils until you hit on the right combination. While this pattern seems simple, quite a few colors and shapes are used.

2. Measure and mark off a grid of equal-size blocks (an odd number is best) across all three doors. Tape off and paint each block, including the edges and backs of the doors, with latex paint according to your sketch.

3.When the color blocks are dry, stencil on the shapes using latex or stencil paint and a stencil brush. If you can’t find geometric stencils at a crafts or paint store, make your own by tracing shapes onto poster board or stencil plastic, then cutting them out. Or create the shapes that have straight edges by simply measuring and taping them off, then filling them in with paint. Just make sure the base coat is dry so the tape doesn’t mar it. For a reverse stencil like the “glowing” triangle on the upper left, use an almost-dry brush to lightly dab paint around the edge of a cutout shape.

4. Hinge the doors together.

See more painting how-to stories.