The design of interior elements dates back to XVII century. It was then that gluing paper applications on furniture, floors, walls was widely used, so that varnished applications looked like drawings.
Decoupage Secrets for Beginners
Decoupage is the art of decorating the interior, various objects, as well as accessories using carved ornaments made of paper, fabric or leather. Its development began in the 15th century in Germany. In the Middle Ages, craftsmen used this type of technique in furniture making.
Decorating furniture with decoupage
It rapidly developed and spread around the world, and already in the Victorian era, many independently mastered this unusual art of decoration. Now everyone can create decoupage with their own hands.
Do-it-yourself furniture decoupage - inexpensive and spectacular way update furniture
Styles and types of decoupage
Decoupage has a large number of styles, many of which have appeared recently.
Decoupage technique is often used to decorate small items.
The most popular are:
- Shabby is chic. Originated at the end of the last century. Its features: colors of light delicate shades, floral ornament, the presence of a worn effect;
- Provence. Use this style when decorating an item for French antiquity;
- Vintage style. Characteristic features are: the effect of aging, the use of a combination of new and old items;
- Ethnostyles: Japanese, Indian, African, etc. Decoration of items using the "ethnic decoupage" technique is based on the traditional motifs of each individual country. Indian, for example, is characterized by geometric ornaments, rich and bright colors;
- Simple City. The style is accessible to everyone, since its peculiarity lies in the use of all kinds of improvised means: magazines, newspapers, children's drawings, etc.;
- Victorian. Things are decorated according to the classic English style of the era of Queen Victoria;
Old or ugly furniture can be radically transformed with your own hands using the decoupage technique.
Decoupage technique is a stylish home decoration at no cost, made by hand, and with pleasure
Time does not stand still, so many types of decoupage are no longer relevant.
The most requested are:
- Classical. It was from this species that decoupage was born. His technique consists of gluing paper ornaments onto a surface;
- Decopatch. The item is decorated with small pieces of paper;
- Volume. Volumetric objects are used for decoration;
- Art. The peculiarity of the view lies in the desire to create a holistic image;
- Back. Such decoupage is done on transparent glass objects. It differs from the classical one in that the ornament is attached with inside;
- . Great alternative to the classic look. Such decoration is done only on things made of matter that do not need to be washed at temperatures above 40 degrees.
What and where to buy for decoupage
The first questions that arise for beginners to create using decoupage technique are: what to prepare for work and where to get it all.
Assortment problems. special means for this needlework in modern stores, as a rule, does not happen. But, if something is still missing in them, then there are also numerous Internet services that sell the necessary accessories.
The most necessary materials and tools for any type and style of decoupage include:
- blank - an object or surface chosen for decoration;
- brushes of various thicknesses and materials, selected depending on the type of work;
- acrylic paints and varnish;
- special decoupage applications, self-cut figures and images or other decoration elements;
- glue;
- sandpaper for grouting.
Decoupage is a technique for decorating household items, interior, furniture using carved motifs.
Decoupage technique allows you to transform surfaces and objects created from a variety of materials. It can be: a wall, a leather wallet or handbag, a glass vase, a metal or wooden blank, a fabric bag for storing herbs and much more.
The material, as well as the color scheme of the future product, are selected depending on which style is chosen for decoration. Acrylic paints and varnish are taken because of their unpretentiousness. And this is very important, since it is with them that, as a rule, all work begins. Glue can be used both specialized and universal PVA.
Decorating objects using decoupage technique is one of the forms of artistic expression of our identity, preferences and interests.
All necessary materials are available to almost everyone, and the technology is not so complicated, so decoupage is quite accessible for beginners.
You can, for example, master a few simple techniques for decorating furniture or bottles and candles.
Furniture decoupage
Furniture skillfully decorated using decoupage technique looks very rich and elegant, no matter what style is chosen for this.
Do-it-yourself furniture decoupage is done in two ways:
- Using the entire surface of the object, using the decopatch technique.
- With the use of a part of the object - the decoration is made using one or two pictures.
Newspaper decopatch on chairs
Very easy and simple, for example, you can decorate an old chest of drawers.
Newspaper decopatch chest of drawers
For this, the following tools are being prepared:
- paper clippings;
- alcohol;
- unnecessary rags;
- sealant;
- brush and sponge;
- polyurethane varnish;
- leather strips for pens;
- glue;
- sandpaper.
A chest of drawers of any shape and size is suitable for decopatch
The chest of drawers is cleaned with fine sandpaper, then wiped with a cloth soaked in alcohol and wiped well with a rag. The prepared surface is covered with a brush or sponge with glue. Chopped newspapers are thoroughly moistened with water, applied to the surface. It is very important at the same time to smooth the pasted material well so that no air bubbles remain under it. This is done in the direction from the center to the edges of the dresser.After that, the entire surface is covered with several layers of varnish, each layer drying takes an hour.
Decopatch is one of the techniques close to decoupage and often used with it.
Handles, pre-decorated with leather, are screwed onto the finished dried surface to the edges of the drawers, and the creatively decorated chest of drawers is ready.
Decoupage chest of drawers
An excellent occasion to master the decoupage technique can be a birthday, wedding, New Year's holidays or any other solemn event.
Decorated bottles or candles will be an original gift.
Decoupage bottles - an easy way to stylish home decor
The beauty of these gifts is that they are always unique.
A few tips for decoupage holiday accessories:
- To highlight small details and contours, it is better to use contour paints, to fill in the image - stained glass, acrylics work well on glass and ceramic products;
- It is better to take fabrics such as silk, satin, velor or velvet;
- Corrugated paper is not used in the decoupage of bottles, candles and glasses, as it deteriorates quickly;
- Before decorating the bottle, it must be thoroughly cleaned and primed;
- In order for the decorated bottle to open well, the neck under the cork is wrapped with thin wire;
- It is better not to apply many layers of varnish, glue, foil and napkins to this area;
- Do not leave the bottom of the bottle undecorated;
- Ornaments cut from napkins are great for candles.
The workpiece is applied to the candle and easily sunk into it with a hot spoon. But do not keep the spoon on the candle for too long, so as not to deform the product. Having mastered such a type of art as decoupage, modern handicraft lovers can not only transform old furniture and accessories, but also feel at least a little like Venetian craftsmen.
Decoupage candles
Decoupage attracts with its relative simplicity and variety of effects. From a variety of technologies, you can always choose the closest one for yourself.
Creative ideas and searches of craftswomen do not stand still, every year new decoupage techniques appear, which you want to quickly learn and try, and easily realize the most daring undertakings. So that nothing interferes with the flight of creative imagination, it is necessary to study the theory of the main directions and methods of work and get a little practice. To date, there are six types of decoupage: direct, reverse, artistic (smoky), volumetric (3D), decopatch.
Direct decoupage - a classic method
Direct decoupage is the basic and, perhaps, the most basic and main way to decorate objects. It will help beginners learn how to glue and process images correctly and with high quality, understand and comprehend all the nuances and subtleties of the work, so that later they can easily master the rest of the decoration techniques.
Main nuances
The essence of the direct decoupage technique is gluing or implanting an image on a pre-prepared surface. Almost any surface is suitable for work. It can be wood, chipboard and MDF blanks, plywood, plastic, glass, fabric, leather, thick cardboard. The main thing is to properly prepare the surface.
Before starting work, wood must be sanded and primed, glass, plastic and leather products (document cover, notebook, bag) must be degreased with alcohol, fabric must be washed and ironed. Any image is suitable for decoration - the motif of a beautiful napkin, a decoupage card or a printout of a picture made on a laser printer or photographic paper.
The napkin must be stratified and leave the top layer, the decoupage card (or its fragment) on a short time soak in lukewarm water. When working with printouts, there are several ways to prepare an image for gluing:
- thin with stationery tape and delicate sandpaper;
- implant the image into the surface by gluing the motif with the front side to the surface, followed by removing the upper layers of paper with water;
- cover the picture with several layers of transfer varnish, dry well, wet with water and carefully remove the white layer of paper, leaving a thin, transparent layer of the image protected by varnish;
- transfer the image to the surface using acetone or a creamy cleanser and a regular spoon.
Take a look at our cutting board decoupage master class to study in detail the technique with a printout (link at the bottom of the article).
Each method has its own subtleties and nuances, having tried and studied each of them, you can choose the one that you like best.
Features of decorating with napkins
Napkin decoupage technique is ideal for beginners. There are several methods of gluing (implantation).
Gluing the napkin motif with decoupage glue or PVA glue, diluted with water in a ratio of 1:1. Attach the motif to the surface and with a flat brush, start gluing the napkin, applying glue from the center to the edges. Gently smooth the motif, straighten wrinkles and air bubbles. Do not press too hard to avoid damaging the tissue.
Attaching with a file allows you to easily arrange the image neatly, with virtually no wrinkles.
- Lay out the napkin motif (top layer) on the file with a pattern from yourself. Using a spray bottle, thoroughly dampen the cloth with water so that it almost floats in it. Smooth out bumps, wrinkles, bubbles. Attach another file on top and smooth the napkin well with a piece of sponge, getting rid of excess water.
- Carefully remove the top file and attach the file with a napkin to the surface. Smooth the napkin again with a piece of sponge. Remove the file so that the napkin remains on the surface. Coat with glue. Let dry.
This method is great for large fragments and for "capricious" napkins that can spread from attempts to stick them with a brush and glue. Recommended for learning decoupage techniques for beginners.
"hot" way ideal for gluing napkins on a flat, smooth surface (lid of a wooden box, banknotes, cutting board), which is not afraid of high temperatures. To work, you will need PVA glue, baking paper, and an iron.
- Apply two layers of glue to the prepared surface, allowing each layer to dry well.
- Place the motif on the surface, put baking paper on top.
- Iron the surface with a hot iron.
- Remove the baking paper, let the workpiece cool, fix the napkin with varnish.
Reverse decoupage and its subtleties
The reverse decoupage technique is used on glass (transparent) surfaces and differs from the direct method in the sequence of actions.
That is, first a napkin or printout is glued (facing away), additional decorative elements are created (painting with contours), other artistic effects and the desired color are applied, and then the surface is primed, if necessary, decorated with direct decoupage outside and varnished to protect against abrasion.
The drawing is placed under glass, which makes it possible to use the dishes decorated in this technique for their intended purpose. If you follow the simple rules of care, such dishes will last a long time and please the eye.
The technique of this type of decoupage is discussed in detail in ours.
Artistic (smoky) decoupage for the patient
Many novice needlewomen are frightened by the need, armed with a brush and a palette of paints, to apply artistic decoupage in their work, especially if there is absolutely no experience in drawing. But it happens that a picture pasted on a white surface just screams that it is necessary to add color, shade transitions, shadows, shading, volume.
Even last time you painted with paints while studying at school, you should not refuse to study and master this type of decoupage technique, because it is with its help that you will make your product truly exclusive and expensive in perception.
A little patience in the theoretical study of the basic techniques of artistic drawing, a lot (or maybe just a little bit) of training and your work will shine with new facets. The best way to learn this technique is with the help of video master classes, step by step photos master classes, under the guidance of a teacher at a live master class.
You can work with acrylic paints and a paint drying retarder (allows you to make soft shading, prevents the paint from drying too quickly, allows you to carefully work out the background, make smooth halftones, shadows and transitions), and with pastels.
It's important to remember that artistic touch-ups are best done in daylight, and keep in mind that acrylic paints tend to darken slightly when dry. In the artistic form of decoupage, three methods can be distinguished.
shading(color haze) is created using acrylic paints or (it must first be scraped with a blade). The essence of the method is to fit a motif with clear edges into the surrounding background by creating a transparent haze around the motif of the same color as the adjacent area of the picture.
Features of working with pastels: it is better to use matte varnish (pastel will not be applied to glossy varnish), and the working surface should be sanded as much as possible so that there are no grooves and bumps.
Drawing and drawing the background used to enhance the artistic effect and correct possible defects.
Using these techniques, you can make a faded drawing brighter, highlight key elements, draw small details, and finish the missing elements.
Shadows give the picture volume and artistic completeness.
It will be easier to master the skills of artistic painting in the decoupage decoration technique if you practice doing this on sheets of plain paper. Choose a bright drawing, fix it on the sheet, and having prepared the shades and colors present in the drawing on the palette, try to fill the white background with color so that the drawing and the background become a harmonious whole. Learn how to create different shades, the laws of perspective and chiaroscuro.
Decopatch - imitation of patchwork technique
This decoupage technique is somewhat reminiscent, since the surface to be decorated is arbitrarily filled with pieces of multi-colored paper, which can be torn by hand or cut with scissors.
To create works in this technique, you can use napkins, rice paper, old newspapers and notes, color pictures from glossy magazines, special paper for decopatch, which can be purchased at art stores.
This decoupage style is suitable for beginners, as it is quite simple to perform and does not require special training and experience. The size of the pieces of paper depends on the size of the work, they can be glued slightly overlapping, forming a free and fancy ornament.
Decopatch paper has a number of advantages over other materials. It is thin and elastic, does not stretch, does not form folds. The choice of colors is huge, the colors are bright and saturated.
When using pictures from glossy magazines, you can create the effect of an old stone - for this you need to wipe the glued and well-dried fragments of pictures with acetone - part of the paint layer will be washed off, giving the decorated surface the look of cracked marble.
Decopatch can be used both to create a background and as an independent decorative effect. Any items can serve as materials for decoupage as blanks, papier-mâché figures look especially impressive, which can be decorated according to your taste and desire.
Before work, do not forget to prime the surface with artistic primer or white paint, protect the finished work with several layers of acrylic varnish.
Volumetric (3D) decoupage - modern technology
This relatively new decoupage technique will help highlight fragments of the work, emphasizing their volume.
To create volume, you can use:
- modeling paste;
- putty for wood;
- textile;
- artistic art gels;
- 3D decoupage cards;
- 3D modeling Sospeso Trasparente.
Consider how to make decoupage with the listed materials.
How to work with modeling paste
From modeling paste you can fashion three-dimensional elements of flowers, objects, the body of an animal or bird. You will need two identical motifs.
- Glue the first motive (let's say it will be an image of a rooster for a rustic-style product), dry well.
- From the modeling paste, fashion the body, tail feathers. Glue to the picture and smooth it well, soften the transitions (with a brush or a finger moistened with water). Modeling paste should not reach the border of the pattern by 1-2 mm.
- From the second motif, cut out the element to be glued on top of the created volume.
- Align the drawings, carefully glue. Dry. Make a little touch up if necessary.
Putty technique
putty you can also lay out individual volumetric details or large elements, if this suits your idea.
- It is convenient to apply putty with a palette knife.
- Do not try to make a thick layer at once, let its height be 2-3 mm, smooth out irregularities with your fingers moistened with water.
- Without waiting for the putty to dry, immediately start gluing the motif.
With the help of putty, you can create imitations of brickwork, tree trunks, wooden boards. Almost everything that can decorate and emphasize your creation.
Decor with fabric
Fabric in decoupage used as a decorative element to give the work an additional volume and effect of presence. For example, when working with the image of a woman, you can drape the skirt (dress) of the model with a fabric. The image will become more realistic and it will seem that the heroine is about to leave the surface of a decorative panel, plate or other object.
You can also create the effects of the sea, old wood, curtains, other draperies - depending on the task.
- The fabric must be well saturated with PVA glue.
- Lay the fabric on the area to be decorated, give the desired shape and volume.
- Dry well.
- Paint over the element with the desired color with acrylic paints, add additional effects - patina, sparkles, crystal paste.
- Protect with several coats of acrylic lacquer.
Application of art gels
Artistic art gels give the effect of oil painting.
- Use the brush to create voluminous strokes.
- After drying, the art gel becomes transparent, and the drawing takes on new facets.
Working with 3D Maps
3D decoupage cards can be purchased in stores, or you can create your own. To do this, it is enough to make a color printout with the selected picture in five or six copies.
The first instance is the main one, fragments must be cut out of the remaining copies, which will create the volume. The cut out fragments are glued on top of each other layer by layer using silicone glue, achieving the desired volume. Volumetric decoupage gives the product a sculptural quality, but it is important not to overdo it with volume so that the composition as a whole looks harmoniously well perceived visually.
Sospeso Trasparente - the latest way of volumetric decoration
Italian decoupage technique Sospeso Trasparente the most expensive, but very effective and unusual. For work, a specially developed and patented non-toxic thermoplastic is used.
- The selected fragment of the image is glued onto a thermoplastic and dried well.
- Next, the image must be cut out and, holding with tongs, heated over the candle for a few seconds.
- When heated, the film becomes elastic and pliable. At this moment, the image is modeled with special tools - bulbs.
- Putting the fragment to be processed on a latex mat, give it the desired volume and bends.
- Let it freeze.
Decorative elements made in this technique look luxurious and realistic.
If you use a napkin (top layer) or a rice decoupage card as a base, an airy, translucent volume is created.
When working with thick decoupage cards or printouts, a “porcelain” effect is created, since thick paper does not transmit light.
Let this publication inspire you to learn the basic decoupage techniques and bold creative searches and create bright works. Take one of our master classes as a basis and do not put off creativity until tomorrow!
Step-by-step decoupage master classes in different techniques
Despite the differences, all decoupage techniques are simple and accessible to beginners. Following our master classes, you will quickly master this spectacular technique, dishes, boxes and other items for home and personal use.
In decoupage, you can highlight five main types:
- straight (classic);
- back;
- artistic (smoky);
- volumetric (3D decoupage);
- decopatch (patchwork).
Each of them is significantly different from the other, although they all have one thing in common - basic technique work. The choice of one or another type depends, first of all, on what surface you need to decorate, and what effect you want to get.
Let's consider all these types in more detail.
Direct decoupage (classic decoupage)
This is the most famous, widespread, and, at the same time, the simplest type of decoupage. Here, stick to the surface. The picture can be cut (or torn out - depending on the source material) from: decoupage napkin, rice paper, decoupage card or printer printout.
The picture is glued to the surface of the product using a special decoupage glue or PVA glue.
The picture is pasted on any decorated surface, pre-treated: wood, metal, ceramic, glass, plastic.
The picture is glued onto the surface evenly, without wrinkles and air bubbles, and this is done in any of the ways: wet - using a file, - using an iron, ordinary - the picture is applied to the surface and smeared over with glue. The method is selected depending on what kind of picture you are using, what it is from.
After gluing, the picture is thoroughly dried in the air, or with a hot hair dryer, and then covered with several layers of finishing varnish. Between layers of varnish, it is recommended to do intermediate grinding so that the surface of the product becomes even and perfectly smooth.
Direct decoupage differs from a simple application in that it uses special types of paper, methods for gluing them to the surface and the final result. In direct decoupage, the picture almost completely merges with the background of the surface and does not protrude above it, the edges of the picture, as it were, are written off with the background.
The picture itself, if necessary, can be additionally tinted or decorated in some other way.
Before applying layers of finishing varnish, the product can be aged - make craquelure.
Reverse decoupage
The very word "reverse" already indicates that in this type of decoupage everything is done in reverse order- the whole process of work is done exactly the opposite. This type is used mainly on transparent surfaces, on transparent glassware - plates, dishes, stained glass windows, etc.
The picture is glued on the reverse (back) side of the object being decorated, for example,. As a result, the image appears through the glass.
The sequence of work with reverse decoupage is approximately the following: craquelure (if necessary), decorating, gluing a picture, applying layers of base paint, fixing the work with varnish.
Often, artistic painting of the background is also used in the work, i.e. element of artistic decoupage.
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Artistic decoupage (smoky decoupage)
This is practically the same as direct decoupage (or reverse), however, here there is an additional artistic painting (with the help of paints) of the picture and writing it off, thereby completely with the background of the surface. At the same time, the connection lines become completely invisible, the picture completely merges with the background color of the product into a single artistic canvas. Artistic decoupage can also be called imitation of art painting.
This type of decoupage is used, for example, if you have a picture that does not cover the entire surface of the product, it is small. In this case, the picture is glued to the surface, and then the empty spaces around it are painted with paints in the style of the picture's drawing. Skilled craftswomen do this in such a way that later it is impossible to even distinguish where the picture is and where the painting begins.
This is the most difficult, and at the same time, the most beautiful view decoupage. The quality here depends on the skill of the decoupage artist.
(To enlarge the picture, click on it with the left mouse button)
Volumetric decoupage (3D decoupage)
This type of decoupage is created on surfaces with bulges, reliefs, irregularities, which are created there with the help of texture pastes, drapery from fabrics, paper, and other natural materials (shells, etc.). The result is not a simple smooth surface, but a surface close to a bas-relief or fresco.
This type of decoupage is not at all simple and only fairly experienced craftswomen can make it beautiful.
(To enlarge the picture, click on it with the left mouse button)
Decopatch (patchwork decoupage)
This is a kind of mixture of decoupage and patchwork. The product is decorated with pieces of paper glued according to the principle of patchwork - patchwork. The end product looks like a kind of patchwork quilt. The work uses special paper for decopatch - it most often has floral or ornamental patterns. Pieces of such paper are glued overlapping each other, and as a result, a mosaic effect is created. This paper is very thin.
The products themselves can be of any shape, however, most often these are some kind of figures of animals or birds made from papier-mâché, or pieces of furniture. Products are completely pasted over with paper fragments. Then they are decorated (if necessary) and varnished.
(To enlarge the picture, click on it with the left mouse button)
When we do some work, sometimes we don’t even think about what types or technologies we use. But now, after reading this short article, it will be easier for you to navigate this beautiful needlework and its types.
Decoupage is such a versatile type of needlework that it is difficult to talk about any rules. After all, each work is a flight of fantasy and creativity. But still, it is customary to divide the works created using the decoupage technique, according to thematic groups. So, there are five main and most popular styles of this applied art. Let's take a closer look at them in order to have an idea of what we are doing in the process of creating a new masterpiece.
It has become quite popular these days to make things look older than they really are. The design of the room in this style radiates tenderness, light and kindness of childhood. And all due to the fact that when creating objects of this style, pastel colors are used. Among them, the most commonly used are: light pink, blue, cream, beige, light lilac, etc. Literally, “shabby chic” means “shabby chic”, which means that any item can have cracks, chips and scuffs. Also, this style is characterized by the use of motifs with large or small flowers, most often with roses, as well as delicate birds, angels. Neatness and elegance are the main features of this style.
Provence
It got its name from the southern province of France. It can be described as a noble old style, elegant and discreet. Also, as in shabby chic, gentle and pastel colors with scuffs are used in Provence. As motifs, lavender patterns, grape images, sunflowers, and a marine theme are more often used.
Victorian style
This style comes from the majestic and proud Great Britain. The time of its occurrence is associated with the reign of Queen Victoria. Victorian style can be summed up in two words: classic luxury. The use of gold, red, green shades will help to create a product of this style. Motifs are used with a hint of aristocracy - hunting scenes, patterns with roses, animals, various rich still lifes.
Ethnostyle
This style became popular among tourists, and soon received universal love due to its diversity, brightness and originality. Often, after returning from vacation, you want to extend this feeling, the atmosphere of the place where you had a chance to relax and get a bunch of positive emotions. Therefore, works in ethnic style began to be created. Such works are characterized by the use of elements traditional for different countries. If India, then it is elephants, if Africa - skins and exotic animals, as well as the active use of motifs with fruits, landscapes of the beloved area.
simple city
Literally, the translation sounds like this - "a simple city." Modern images, decopatch technique, the use of newspaper clippings and magazines are the main signs of the simple city style. This style has become popular due to the use of improvised means in creating decor. 
07.07.2017, 11:25
Decoupage technique (translated from French decouper - cut) - a technique for decorating various objects, based on attaching a drawing, picture or ornament (usually carved) to an object, and, further, varnishing the resulting composition for the sake of effectiveness, safety and durability.
Despite the fact that the decoupage technique originated in the Middle Ages, it has gained immense popularity right now. If earlier the Venetian masters skillfully superimposed the image on the furniture and covered it with 30-40 layers of varnish, now this technique has become much simpler, and simple napkins are used. We will talk about how to create some kind of decoupage creation in the next article, but for now we will discuss the main decoupage styles.
One of the most popular is decoupage in the Provence style, characterized by simplicity, discreet, aged wood. The name of the style speaks for itself - the style is dedicated to the southern province of France, hence the main motives - flowers and plants. This decoupage style is characterized by the use of bleached aged wood, olive and lavender tones.
Shabby chic decoupage is a romantic, gentle, girly style. Like the Provence style, it is characterized by bleached aged wood, only the motifs here are made in delicate pink shades, roses and other elements of the Romantic era are most often used as drawings.
Victorian style in decoupage is an English style that appeared in the era of Queen Victoria. This style of decoupage is characterized by luxury and wealth. Images are applied to furniture or decor items of predominantly dark wood, all this is decorated with gilded paint. The main tones that are used in this style are gold, dark green, burgundy. The main motifs are angels, girls, still lifes.
