Decoupage
Decoupage is a decorative design technique that has been around since the 17th century. It is said that it originated in the Orient, before conquering Europe. The word "decoupage" comes from the French and means "to cut out".
The basic idea behind was, and is, either to give objects a porcelain look or to place lots of different images together to create a new image, giving the impression that the image has been hand-painted.
This technique can be performed on all manner of different objects/ materials. After paper shapes and designs have been cut out and glued, a smooth surface is finally achieved through repeated varnishing and rubbing down, with any unevenness in the individual paper designs no longer discernible.
A distinction is made between decoupage and paper napkin art. In the case of napkin art, the uppermost, pre-printed section of a triple-ply napkin is used. Decoupage uses much thicker paper, which is soaked and then varnished.
Decoupage is a very good way of, say, decorating furniture and the like.
Instructions for wood, metal, glass,
porcelain, ceramics, stone, plastics, cardboard, stretcher bars:
Take
an object you wish to decorate. Ensuring it is clean and free from
grease, prime it and leave to dry. Soak the cut-out decoupage design in
water for a short while, dab it dry and then dab it on the back with
decoupage adhesive. Stick your design to the object to be decorated and
stroke it to smooth it out. Add another thin layer of decoupage glue to
your pattern and leave to dry thoroughly.
Next, using decoupage varnish, revarnish another 2-4 times. Always leave to dry thoroughly between each coat of varnish.
