Decoupage tips for beginners. Learning decoupage technique for beginners. Decoupage cardboard boxes: how to decorate a box

In this article I would like to highlight the decoupage technique in detail. Convenient master classes will help even beginners to master this handicraft.

The word “decoupage”, pleasant to the ear, immediately evokes associations of something refined and beautiful. So it is: the things that this art touched amaze with their special charm. And, what is most interesting, absolutely any person can master the decoupage technique. Let's talk in this article about how this miracle happens.

Decoupage technique for beginners

Decoupage technique has its basics Essentials for beginners:

You can glue the picture in different ways, but best of all smooth it out from the center to the edges. Bubbles and folds should not be present initially
It is recommended to glue in the old proven way, that is PVA glue... It will hold the drawing very tightly.

IMPORTANT: Do not strive to do everything as soon as possible - it is very important to let the furniture dry thoroughly. And not with the help of a hair dryer, but in a natural way.

Do not neglect acrylic paint- so the image does not look alien, and the thing itself becomes more elegant. Apply paint preferably with a roller

How many layers of varnish should there be? As a rule, the best results are obtained when there are two layers. Moreover, before applying the second, be sure to wait for the first to dry.

IMPORTANT: Building varnish will work, but acrylic is preferred as it is odorless and non-allergenic.

It is good for beginners to know that acrylic paints and varnishes are washed off with plain water during the first days after work... So not really good job can be easily fixed
Whatever the idea, the thing must go through the preparation stage... It includes cleansing from both various kinds of pollution and dust.

IMPORTANT: It is advisable to use a solution containing alcohol, however, just a damp cloth will do.

As for the varieties of techniques, then there are few of them:

Classic - this is when the picture is attached dry, wet or hot, and then varnished with subsequent polishing. Can be toned

Artistic or smoky- looks like a real painting thanks to the successful combination of the pattern with the background

Backward - recommended for transparent surfaces
Gluing occurs on the reverse side of the item to be decorated
Decopatch or patchwork - in other words, it is similar to a patchwork quilt

IMPORTANT: Decopatch can be achieved on any materials, however, beginners are advised to use special paper.

Volumetric - very similar to relief painting. The fabric and the so-called structural paste will help in this. A material that is very similar to eggshells is also used.

What you need for decoupage: tools, materials

First of all, it is myself decoupage object. And it can be anything from furniture to small plates. Any surface is allowed - wood, glass, fabric, plastic, ceramics, porcelain, metal

IMPORTANT: The first steps in decoupage are best done on wooden surfaces.

Special napkins for decoupage with images to taste

Decoupage cards- they are a little more difficult to work with than with napkins, but the paint on such cards is of good quality. Novice craftsmen are advised to purchase cards on rice paper - they are both thin and durable, do not stretch during work

Scissors it is recommended to use those that are small and have rounded ends - this will guarantee that small parts can be cut out of thin paper without problems
Brush you need a flat one, the width is desirable within a centimeter or two - varnish and paints are applied to such tools simply excellently. And keep in mind that the larger the item being processed, the larger the brush should be.

This brush is what you need for decoupage

Glue - as previously mentioned, PVA is still desirable, although for the sake of interest you can purchase a special glue for decoupage

IMPORTANT: Usually, after gluing the picture, the masters process it with paints and varnish. Sometimes the adhesive properties of varnish are enough, but it is better to keep PVA with you.

Varnish - and again the flight of fantasy is assured. Matte, glossy, acrylic, diamond effect and craquelure - a choice for every taste. The advantages of decoupage varnishes are that they are odorless, do not turn yellow over time and, which is important in the process of work, do not allow brush marks on the surface
Sandpaper - irreplaceable assistant when preparing the surface for work
Primer it is also desirable to purchase, since it perfectly evens the surface and helps to reduce paint costs. The best choice is an acrylic non-toxic primer on water based

Decoupage for beginners from napkins: master class

The smooth ceramic surface of the plate is what novice decoupage masters need. It is still not recommended to eat from such a plate, but as a decorative item, it is incomparable. You will need to stock up:

1. Actually, a plate
2. Alcohol napkin
3. Napkin for decoupage
4. Stationery file
5. Spray bottle with water
6. Glue
7. Acrylic varnish
8. Acrylic paints
9. Brush
10. Roller

Decorative plate made by decoupage method

Getting started:

First of all, we take alcohol wipes - they are excellent skim the plate. After it dries well, you need apply to the entire surface of PVA. And leave to dry again
Now it's time to get down to the decoupage napkin. It is necessary to carefully separate the first layer with the pattern from it.

IMPORTANT: Many beginners mistakenly believe that the drawing should look up after applying the napkin to the surface. In fact, it is applied with the front part to the surface.

Put the layer on the file so that it does not break. Then sprinkle it all with water from a spray bottle.
That's all - the file can be applied to the surface of the plate
Next roller smoothing is performed in the direction from the center to the edges. This must be done, otherwise excess moisture and air will interfere with the normal fixing of the image. However, you can do without a roller - a flat brush will serve as a good alternative
Now the file is removed, and the remaining moisture is removed an ordinary napkin. You can cover with varnish or paint, glue volumetric elements from colored napkins

Decoupage bottles for beginners

Will come in handy:

1. Bottle
2. Acrylic paints and varnishes, special varnish for decoupage
3. Sketch
4. Alcohol
5. A picture of your choice
6. Sponge or sponge. Several pieces are desirable - depending on the number of intended colors

Getting started:

Alcohol, as is the case with the plate, degrease the surface... The surface dries up
Acrylic paint needs to be poured into some container

IMPORTANT: The paint is applied to the bottle not with a brush, but with a sponge or sponge by means of blotting movements.

Do not skip this point in any case! It is important to wait until each coat of paint is completely dry. It is recommended to put two of them on the bottle.
Fill a deep container with water, dip the sketch of the drawing there
Try on how the sketch for the bottle fits in size
The glue should be diluted with water from the ratio 2 to 3
Apply this gummy mass with a brush to the bottle... Choose directions from the center to the edges
It is recommended to walk over the part of the bottle that is not occupied by the picture with a sponge dipped in paint. This will achieve smooth transitions.
Dry the bottle well - only then can the second coat of paint be applied. And let it dry again
Now you need to varnish the product for durability. You can tie a ribbon around the neck

Decoupage furniture for beginners

Real vintage furniture is very expensive, but this is what decoupage is for - to imitate antiquity and decorate initially faded furniture. Beginners should start with something big - for example, from the chest of drawers. You will need:

IMPORTANT: If you want to create a truly vintage-like furniture, do not skimp on craquelure varnish. It will give the necessary cracks when dry, which will create the desired visual effect.

4. Bitumen
5. PVA
6. Scotch tape

Getting started:

First of all, unscrew all metal knobs- they will only interfere with the work. Most often, dressers are polished - in this case sandpaper and primer processing is required

IMPORTANT: If the dresser is not polished, do not waste time sanding and priming. It is enough just to make the coating with acrylic varnish.

Now it's time for golden paint... It needs to dry well

Measure from the edges a centimeter. Apply scotch tape for an hour so that the tape sticks out. It's the same with drawers.

Apply enamel white on top of furniture and on the front sides of drawers

It's time for craquelure- apply it to the side panels of the dresser
When an hour has passed after sticking the adhesive tape strips, remove them. The same surface that was previously under the tape, you need paint over with brown paint

IMPORTANT: Apply brown paint with a sponge - this will best fit

Part of the chest of drawers painted over with enamel sandpaper. You need to try until the golden paint appears
Cut out those drawings from decoupage napkins that you want to stick on furniture. Glue them with PVA, level them. Wait for the glue to dry
Cover the furniture again with craquelure... This time, try to have the craquelure varnish cover the entire surface of the chest of drawers along with the drawings.

Wait for the craquelure varnish to dry. Cover the surface with it again. Wait until it dries - after that cracks will begin to appear
Rub the resulting cracks with bitumen- this is the final stage of work

Decoupage glass for beginners step by step

To start you can try to work with a glass jar, chosen for storing coffee... It is generally known that coffee beans or ground coffee will best retain aroma if stored in a glass container. So, for a themed jar you will need:

1. The jar itself with a lid
2. Alcohol-coated napkin
3. Sponge and clip for stationery. The latter is desirable if you do not want to get dirty in the paint.
4. White acrylic paint
5. Napkin for decoupage
6. Aqualak
7. PVA
8. Flat wide brushes
9. Toothpick and old toothbrush
10. Real coffee beans
11. Burnt umber is a paint that will help to create the effect of slight aging
12. Twine
13. Bituminous varnish

Getting started:

The first step, of course, is degrease the jar with an alcohol wipe

Now the jar is covered with white paint on all sides. Don't forget about the lid.

IMPORTANT: The background is applied by blotting movements with a sponge fixed in a clip - this is convenient and effective.

All this should be good dry out
Now on PVA drawing is glued... Since the jar is convex, it is best to apply the image in parts. Do not forget about the lid either.

Both the jar and the lid are needed scuba

The lid should be decorated coffee beans. They are glued to PVA

And now we grow old. The toothbrush is dipped into the umber and the toothpick is sprayed onto the jar and lid.

IMPORTANT: Umber should first be slightly diluted with water.

Now it's all dried, then varnished
If you want to add some more aging cover the edges of the lid with bitumen varnish... You can also cover some parts of the can.

Tie the twine- and the bank is ready!

Decoupage for beginners step by step on wood

It's best to start with something simple - for example, from a cutting board. This thing will serve to train decoupage skills, and will be used often in everyday life. So, stock up:

1. The board itself
2. White and gray acrylic paint
3. Decoupage napkin
4. Acrylic varnish
5. Water in a glass
6. PVA
7. Sponge
8. Brush
9. Toothbrush not in use
10. Candle
11. Sandpaper

We create beauty:

Apply white paint to the entire outer surface of the board using a depressing motion... Start application on top of the board

IMPORTANT: For convenience, the sponge should be cut into 2 or even 3 parts.

Neatly tears off the napkin either that part of the image is cut out which is necessary

From the right piece the topmost picture layer is separated. This should be done as carefully as possible.

Add PVA to a glass of water in such a ratio that, as a result, the consistency of liquid sour cream comes out. Put the required piece of the image on the board. Dip the brush into a glass, and drip a little solution into the middle of the picture

The glue should be smeared with a brush according to the pattern.... The drawing should be carefully smoothed out in order to avoid wrinkles and the effect of bubbles.

By a similar principle glue and other images

About the edge of the board you need rub a candle

Further finish the edges with gray acrylic paint... Apply it with a sponge using pressing, but gentle movements.

IMPORTANT: Do not overdo it with the amount of paint - there should be a little of it.

The gray paint should be applied to the rest of the surface as well., but this time with light rubbing movements

Sand the edges... Since they were candle-treated, they will turn white

Now the gray paint is applied in a small amount to the toothbrush. Run across the bristles away from you - this will spray

Splashes are another decoupage trick

And now make a splash of white paint

The final stage - varnishing the board

Apply varnish - and the Provence-style board is ready

Decoupage boxes for beginners

This master class is a kind of basis from which you can build on when creating other boxes. You will need:

1. Blank for the box
2. Flat brushes

IMPORTANT: It is advisable that the brushes are made from non-natural materials

3. Brown acrylic paint
4. Light enamel
5. Toothbrush
6. Candle
7. PVA
9. Rice paper, decoupage card, napkins
10. Patina. It is permissible to use brown oil paint as an analogue.
11. Acrylic varnish
12. Sponge
13. Double-sided tape
14. Various accessories - buttons, lace and so on

Now you can start:

All irregularities are carefully removed. The cleaned surface needs cover with brown acrylic paint. The box should dry well
Now you need to grind all corners and edges with a candle

IMPORTANT: Do not remove excess candles with your hands - it is better to use a toothbrush for this purpose

The surface is covered with white enamel and dries

Take any item made of metal. Scrape off the paint with it in the places that were previously rubbed with a candle... Carefully remove excess paint

Dilute one to three glue in water. Using a wide brush, apply the solution to the place of the box. where the image will be placed
Attach a picture, and from above cover again with PVA... Move from the center to the edges. In this case, you need to smooth out all the irregularities.
Remove excess glue brush. Leave the workpiece to dry

Soak the cards in advance for decoupage in water
Patina either oil paintneed to cover up corners, edges

Now the turn of the acrylic varnish... The box needs to dry after that
The bottom of the box follows cover with double-sided tape- fabric will be attached to it

IMPORTANT: Do not forget to pre-moisten this fabric in glue solution - this will get rid of wet threads.

Decor items also need a preparatory stage. The lace should be soaked in instant coffee with sugar. Then they are slightly squeezed out and placed on the battery. No need to rinse

It remains to glue lace, braid and buttons. Desirable for transparent glue

Decoupage for beginners watches

Decoupage watches are great for beginners. Stencils, dials, hands and other blank watch elements can be easily found in bookstores or in creative shops.

So, take the blank. You do not have to worry about where to attach the arrows - as a rule, there are holes in the blanks. And there is a recess for the batteries too

IMPORTANT: However, you need to prepare a future dial. If it is wooden, sand it, if it is plastic, degrease it.

Now you can start designing the dial... There are absolutely no restrictions - when choosing, be guided by the interior features and imagination. Even ready-made decoupage sheets in the form of dials are sold

Stick the image on the blank... Keep in mind that if the paper is rice paper, you do not need to soak it. Smooth out all wrinkles

Decoupage of tea houses for beginners

What you need:

1. Blank from wood
2. Thin acrylic embossing paste
3. Spatula-palette knife, thanks to which it is convenient to apply primer and remove excess
4. Acrylic paints
5. Rice card
6. Matt spray varnish
7. Matt acrylic lacquer
8. Gel with 3D effect
9. Glue
10. Stencil for future tiles

Getting started:

First of all, you need prime blank for the house

Cut out the necessary pictures from the map

IMPORTANT: Make a margin of one centimeter.

Paste all the images in the desired places. However, stick only the middle of the pictures.

But why not glue the entire image at once. Apply a relief paste under the free edges with a palette knife.- this is all done for the volume of the house

With relief paste, you can draw bricks. A toothpick will help with this
Using a stencil and volumetric paste , you need to apply shingles
Mix the paints in advance - it may so happen that the desired shade not presented in finished form

Now begins the process of painting the house

For greater similarity don't be afraid to post additional details - lantern, masonry

Color in the lantern and masonry. Add cracks on the walls for persuasiveness

Paint the roof

IMPORTANT: You should not paint over the house from the inside.

Dark umber recommended in order to finish the roof - so it will be brighter

To many people who love decoupage things, it seems that only masters can do this art. But masters are not born, but become! Moreover, many of the techniques are quite simple to perform, so you should never be afraid to get started.

Hand-made products have always looked and will look much more elegant and colorful than things that are expensive and fashionable. They may not have anything professional and experienced, but thanks to them it will be possible to feel that they are made with love.

Today in the world there are tens of thousands of varieties of needlework and decoration techniques. One of the most common types is decoupage, which allows you to apply decor to the product in such a way that it will feel like a painting.

This type of decor was invented more than nine centuries ago and is still considered one of the most sophisticated. The decoupage technique can be seen step by step in the presented photos.

This technique gives any thing an absolute originality and unforgettableness. You can use the decoupage technique in relation to any interior items, such as furniture, various boxes or clocks, whether they are made of wood, glass, plastic, paper or fabric.

The main feature of decoupage is applique, that is, a pattern that is applied to napkins, postcards, fabrics or other products. In order to start decorating, you will need various devices and elements of materials.

Materials (edit)

Glue. There is just glue for decoupage, or you can use ordinary PVA.

Priming. It is an important tool when working with wood, as it prevents the paint layer from absorbing into the wood. An excellent solution will become an acrylic primer. Sold in any hardware store. For other surfaces, you can use ordinary acrylic paint or the same PVA glue.

Brushes. Required for working with paint, glue or primer on surfaces. The best choice will become a flat silicone brush, because natural brushes tend to shed. Standard sizes decoupage brushes are # 2, 8 and 10.

Dye. Indispensable when working with backgrounds, small decorative elements and the design of various effects. Like a primer, acrylic paint works great. This type of paint dissolves well with water, and if you don't like something while decorating, you can easily wash it off.

To create a translucent effect, you can use a thinner. As an alternative to acrylic paint, you can choose a water-based paint.

Preparation of the product. Here you need to turn on your imagination, since absolutely any thing in the house is suitable for decoupage, be it bottles, wooden caskets, flower pots, glass vases and frames, fabric lampshades and much more.

Varnish. The best solution to protect the final product from accidental factors such as the sun's rays. The product must be varnished at every stage of its decoration. The best choice would be alkyd or acrylic varnish.

Aerosol spray varnish can be used when the product is 100% finished. Sold in any hardware or automotive store.

Scissors. You need sharp scissors with a smooth ride, otherwise the picture can be spoiled.

Additional tools. This includes a sponge for painting a large area or giving various effects. A roller that will help stick fairly dense elements, as well as masking tape, sticks or toothpicks, fine-grain sandpaper and a hair dryer.

Decoupage technique for beginners

We will hold a small master class on decoupage technique: before decorating, it is necessary to prepare the surface of the product, namely, to walk with fine-grain sandpaper if the material of the product is made of wood or plastic.

At this stage, while the surface of the product dries, you can prepare paper decor elements made from napkins in the form of a pattern. Special attention care should be taken to be precise and accurate and only the top-most colored layer of the wipes used should be used.

Next, the picture must be glued to the product. There are several ways to do this:

Smear the surface with glue, apply the image and press it until it dries completely
Apply glue directly to the pressed picture to the surface of the product, but do this with great care, as there is a possibility of damage to the picture
Apply glue only to the paper product and then press it to the surface

In order to avoid bubbles or wrinkles in the drawing, the glue should be diluted with water. Apply glue to the image or smooth the pattern to glue it to the surface, only from the middle to the edges, so the image will remain in place and will not break at the wrong moment. An unsurpassed product will be a box made using decoupage technique.

Photo of decoupage technique

Decoupage attracts with its relative simplicity and variety of effects. From a variety of technologies, you can always choose the one that is closest to you.

The creative ideas and searches of the craftswomen do not stand still, every year new decoupage techniques appear, which I would like to study and try as soon as possible, 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 ways of working and get a little practice. Today, there are six types of decoupage: direct, reverse, artistic (smoky), volumetric (3D), decopatch.

Direct decoupage - classic method

Direct decoupage is a basic and, perhaps, the most basic and main way of decorating objects. It will help beginners learn how to correctly and efficiently glue and process images, understand and comprehend all the nuances and subtleties of work, so that later they can easily master the rest of the decoration techniques.

Basic nuances

The essence of the direct decoupage technique is gluing or implanting an image onto a previously 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(cover for documents, notebook, bag) - degrease with alcohol, fabric - wash and iron with an iron. Any image is suitable for decoration - a motif of a beautiful napkin, a decoupage card or a printout of a picture made on a laser printer or photo paper.

Peel off the napkin and leave the top layer, soak the decoupage card (or its fragment) for a short time 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 face side to the surface, followed by removal of the upper layers of paper with water;
cover the picture with several layers of transfer varnish, dry well, moisten with water and carefully remove the white layer of paper, leaving a thin, transparent layer of the picture protected with varnish;
Transfer the image to the surface using acetone or a creamy cleanser and a spoon.

Take a look at our master class on decoupage cutting board for a detailed study of 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 ways of gluing (implantation).

Bonding a napkin motif using decoupage glue or PVA glue, diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 1. Place the motif on the surface and with a flat brush begin to glue the napkin, applying glue from the center to the edges. Smooth the motif gently, smooth out wrinkles and air bubbles. Do not apply too much pressure to avoid damaging the napkin.

Bonding with a file allows you to easily arrange the image neatly, practically without wrinkles.

Lay out the napkin motif (top layer) on the file, drawing away from you. Using a spray bottle, dampen the napkin well with water, so that it almost floats in it. Straighten bumps, folds, bubbles. Attach another file on top and with a piece of sponge smooth out the napkin well, getting rid of excess water.
Carefully remove the top file and place the file with the napkin on the surface. Smooth the napkin again with a piece of sponge. Remove the file so that the napkin stays on the surface. Cover with glue. Let dry.

This method is great for large pieces and for "whimsical" napkins that can creep from trying to stick them with a brush and glue. Recommended for learning decoupage techniques for beginners.

"Hot" way ideal for gluing the napkin on a flat, smooth surface (lid wooden box, banknotes, cutting board), which is not afraid high temperatures... For work, you need PVA glue, baking paper, an iron.

Apply two layers of glue to the prepared surface, letting each layer dry well.
Place the motif on a surface, with baking paper on top.
Use a hot iron to iron the surface.
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 print is glued (facing away from you), 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, the outer side is decorated with direct decoupage and varnished to protect it from abrasion ...

The drawing is under the glass, which allows you to use the dishes decorated in this technique, use them as intended. If you follow the simple rules of care, such dishes will serve for 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 with paints, to apply artistic decoupage in their work, especially if there is absolutely no experience in drawing. But it so happens that a picture glued to a white surface just screams that it is necessary to add color, transitions of shades, shadows, shading, volume.

Even if the last time you painted with paints while studying at school, you should not give up studying and mastering 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 painting, a lot (or maybe quite a bit) of training and your work will shine with new facets. It is best to learn this technique with the help of video master classes, step by step photos master classes led by a teacher in 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 out too quickly, allows you to carefully work out the background, make smooth halftones, shadows and transitions), and with pastels.

It is important to remember that artwork is best done in daylight and that acrylic paints become slightly darker after drying. In the artistic form of decoupage, three methods can be distinguished.

Feathering(colored haze) is created with acrylic paints or (it must first be scraped off with a blade). The essence of the method is to inscribe 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 drawing.

Peculiarities of working with pastels: it is better to use Matt lacquer(no pastel will be applied to the glossy varnish), and the working surface should be sanded as much as possible so that there are no grooves and bumps.

Drawing and background drawing are used to enhance the artistic effect and correct possible defects.

With the help of these techniques, you can make a faded drawing brighter, highlight key elements, draw small details, add missing elements.

Shadows give the drawing volume and artistic completeness.

It will be easier to master the skills of artistic painting in the decoupage decorating technique if you practice doing this on sheets of plain paper. Select 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. Explore ways to create different shades, the laws of perspective and light and shade.

Decopatch - imitation of patchwork technique

This decoupage technique is somewhat reminiscent, since the surface to be decorated is randomly 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 sheet music, color pictures from glossy magazines, special paper for deco-patch, which can be purchased in art stores.

This style of decoupage is suitable for beginners, as it is quite simple to perform and does not require special preparation and experience. The sizes of pieces of paper depend on the size of the work, they can be glued slightly overlapping, forming a free and fancy ornament.

Deco-patch 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 appearance of cracked marble.

Decopatch can be used both to create a background and as an independent decorative effect. Any objects can serve as materials for decoupage as blanks; papier-mâché figurines look especially impressive, which can be decorated according to your taste and desire.

Before work, do not forget to prime the surface with art primer or white paint, protect the finished work with several layers of acrylic varnish.

Volumetric (3D) decoupage - modern technique

It is relative new technique decoupage will help to highlight fragments of the work, emphasizing them with volume.

To create volume, you can use:

modeling paste;
putty for wood;
the cloth;
art art gels;
3D decoupage cards;
3D modeling Sospeso Trasparente.

Let's consider how to make decoupage with the listed materials.

How to work with modeling paste

From modeling paste you can sculpt volumetric elements of flowers, objects, the body of an animal or bird. You will need two of the same motives.

Glue the first motif (for example, it will be an image of a rooster for a rustic product), dry well.
Sculpt the body and tail feathers from the modeling paste. Glue to the picture and smooth it well, soften the transitions (with a brush or a finger moistened with water). The modeling paste should not reach the border of the picture by 1-2 mm.
From the second motive, cut out the element that you want to stick on top of the created volume.
Align the drawings, glue carefully. Dry. If necessary, paint on it a little.

Putty technique

Putty you can also lay out individual volumetric parts or large elements, if this matches your idea.

It is convenient to apply the 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, start gluing the motif right away.

With the help of putty, you can create imitations of brickwork, tree trunk, wooden boards. Almost anything that can decorate and highlight your creation.

Decor with fabric

Decoupage fabric it is used as a decorative element to add volume and presence to the work. For example, when working with an image of a woman, you can drape the skirt (dress) of the model with fabric. The image will become more realistic and it will seem that the heroine is about to come off 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 over the area to be decorated, giving the desired shape and volume.
Dry well.
Paint the element with the desired color with acrylic paints, add additional effects - patina, sparkles, crystal paste.
Protect with several coats of acrylic varnish.

Application of art gels

Art art gels will give the work the effect of an oil painting.

Use the brush to create volumetric 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 it yourself. To do this, it is enough to make a color printout with the selected picture in five to six copies.

The first copy is the main one, from the rest of the copies you need to cut out fragments that will create the volume. The cut fragments are glued to each other layer by layer using silicone glue, achieving the desired volume. Volumetric decoupage gives the product a sculptural effect, 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 newest way to decorate in three dimensions

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 to the thermoplastic and dries well.
Next, the image must be cut out and holding it with tongs, heat it over the candle for a few seconds.
When warmed up, the film becomes elastic and pliable. At this moment, the image is modeled with special tools - gurgles.
Place the piece to be treated on a latex mat and give it the desired volume and curves.
Let it freeze.

Decorative elements made using this technique look luxurious and realistic.
If you use a napkin (top layer) or a rice decoupage card as a basis, an airy, translucent volume is created.

When working with dense decoupage cards or printouts, a "porcelain" effect is created, since thick paper does not let light through.

Let this publication inspire you to explore the basic decoupage techniques and to daringly seek and create striking work. Take one of our master classes as a basis and do not postpone creativity until tomorrow!

Step-by-step decoupage master classes in different techniques

Despite the differences, all decoupage techniques are simple and accessible for beginners. Following our master classes, you will quickly master this spectacular technique, dishes, caskets and other items for home and personal use.

Looking for a hobby for your soul but don't know what to do? Today there are a large number of various creative directions, among which decoupage occupies a special place.

Decorating improvised items with details of paper napkins is within the power of everyone. And you do not need to have a special talent or artistic skills - it is enough to have perseverance and be accurate.

The list of what a beginner needs for decoupage is not so long, but everything necessary materials and tools are different affordable price, therefore, the decoupage technique may well become your hobby and give many pleasant moments from an exciting creative process.

What you need to buy for decoupage: the basis

The most important thing that you need to work with decoupage technique is the item that you plan to decorate. Any glass, wood, plastic or metal surface is suitable as a base. This could be your refrigerator, bottle, cookie tin, furniture, or a ceramic plate. It is important that the surface of the object being decorated is smooth, because otherwise the drawing will look ugly and sloppy.

Many decoupage lovers use watches, jewelry boxes, cutting boards, phone cases, passport covers in their hobbies. In a word, everything that comes to hand. If there is nothing suitable, you can buy blanks that are sold in specialized stores - coasters for hot dishes, housekeepers, teahouses, photo frames. For beginners, it is best to start with a wooden base, for which regular PVA glue and acrylic paints are suitable.

Tools and materials for decoupage

To get started, in addition to the basics, you need tools and materials for decoupage, which will allow you to turn any improvised item into a real work of art.

Materials (edit)

Images for decoupage. The best option for the creative process are three-layer paper napkins which are commonly used for decoration festive table... You can choose a napkin according to your own taste. In any case, you only need a top layer with a pattern from it, without a white backing. More experienced craftsmen take special decoupage cards as images. Working with them is a little more difficult, but they are very durable, do not stretch during work and have a high-quality drawing. You can also use clippings from newspapers and magazines, printouts, photographs, lace paper.

Primer. Many beginners neglect the primer, but it allows you to qualitatively prepare the surface for work and significantly reduces the consumption of acrylic paint. The primer is usually bought in white, since the drawings look brighter and more expressive on a light background.

Glue. Considering what materials beginners need for decoupage, it is worth mentioning glue, which is an integral part of the work. You can purchase special decoupage adhesives or regular PVA diluted with water one to one.

Acrylic paints. The choice of paints largely depends on the color of the napkin. If you have bought a whole pack of different napkins, but do not know which one to start with, you can purchase a set of paints in different colors.

Acrylic lacquer. Glossy or matt varnish is used for finishing and protecting your work from mechanical damage. For bases that will come into contact with water in the future (cutting boards, combs, jars for bulk products), it is advisable to take a waterproof composition.

Any liquid for alcohol. You will need cologne, white spirit, or perfume to degrease your work surface.

Instruments

When figuring out what to buy for decoupage, you cannot ignore the set of tools that will help you in your work. Novice masters will need:

Brushes - are used to apply primer, varnish, glue, acrylic paints to the base. It is advisable to buy flat brushes 1–2 cm wide.

Foam sponge - serves as padding for painting, drawing background images.

Sharp scissors - for cutting out the necessary fragments from napkins.

Sandpaper - after treating the surface with soil, roughness and irregularities may remain on it, which sandpaper removes well.

Having dealt with the basic set of tools and materials, a reasonable question arises - where to buy everything you need for decoupage? The online store will help you with this.

Tell me, what do gunpowder, compass and porcelain have in common? That's right - their Chinese origin. What will be discussed in this article also came to us from China.

Yes, yes, and here, as they say, the Chinese couldn't do without. This eastern country is home to another great invention of mankind - paper. What does paper have to do with it? You will understand now.

The dwelling of a simple Chinese was distinguished by asceticism and dullness. It was the privilege of the rich to dress in painted silks and surround oneself with expensive, beautiful things.

But the soul asked for bright colors. So the poor have come up with a simple, but extremely aesthetic occupation.

Needlework is in trend again!

For days, Chinese needlewomen leisurely carved figurines from thin rice paper and decorated dishes, furniture and other household items with them.

Craftsmanship is in vogue again today. One of the most popular techniques of modern needlework is the decoupage technique. The word is translated from French means "cut".

Why does ancient Chinese art have a French name? The fact is that more than three hundred years ago, the fashion for Chinese lacquered furniture came to Europe. At the same time, the first fakes appeared.

Famous Venetian masters copied the works of the poor Chinese. Strange, isn't it?

But this is all lyrics. Let's get back to reality.

Nowadays, decoupage is again at the height of fashion. Possession of this technique gives modern needlewomen the opportunity to create real works of distinctive art.

DIY decoupage - not only fascinating activity, but also a good way to make money on hand-made.

What items can be decorated using the decoupage technique?

The first time you see an object decorated using this technique, you can hardly believe that it is an ordinary paper applique covered with several layers of varnish. The look of such products is simply amazing.

You can master decoupage, although this activity will require some skills and maximum perseverance and patience.

But in this case, the end fully justifies the means. Seeing the admiring glances of others, you will understand: it was worth it.

An item decorated with a decoupage method turns from stamping into an exclusive. She is unique and unrepeatable.

Decoupage will help you transform the objects around you, give them individuality. It's also a great gift idea.

What can be decorated with decoupage?

Most often, decoupage is performed on unpainted cutting boards. They are great for decorating this way. They have an even wooden surface, on which the varnish fits perfectly.

Note!

Plots for decoration can be cut from three-layer napkins. More experienced needlewomen use newspaper illustrations or images printed on a printer.

The printer must be laser. The inkjet printer prints with water-based ink, so the glue will blur your prints. True, this can be avoided by sprinkling the surface of the drawing with aerosol varnish before starting work.

With the advent of hand-made fashion, special napkins for decoupage and decoupage cards made of tissue paper appeared in handicraft stores. The choice of plots is huge, and it is much easier and more convenient to use them.

Yes, whatever you want. Vases, plates, flower pots, trays, furniture, jewelry boxes, glass bottles and jars, lamps and even clothes. Give an old unnecessary thing a new life? Easily!

Any flat surface lends itself to decoupage. It is better if it is light: on a dark surface, the application is poorly visible.

Note!

Great ideas for decorating household items can be found in IKEA stores. Products of this brand are simply created for decoration. Faceless dressers and chairs, trays and breadbaskets in skillful hands turn into wonderful pieces for the kitchen, bedroom or summer cottage.

And most importantly, you don't need to look for an item suitable for your interior. Just buy it from IKEA and decorate to your liking.

Decoupage looks very harmonious on kitchen utensils. We have already mentioned cutting boards and bread bins. A set of jars for spices or bulk products, decorated with appliqués on a culinary theme, will add a special piquancy to your kitchen.

Decoupage of a bottle of champagne in new year style will create a festive atmosphere and serve as an original gift.

Decorated using decoupage technique, candles will perfectly complement the interior of a romantic evening.

Note!

Thanks to this technique, you can turn an ordinary wall clock into a unique piece of home decor. And if you decorate the watch with photos of special moments of your life, you will get a surprise for your significant other on your wedding anniversary or acquaintance.

Every fashionista probably has a wooden chest in which she keeps jewelry or costume jewelry. Decoupage can work wonders by transforming a boring wooden box into a cute little thing. And you made this little thing yourself. Agree, this is doubly pleasant.

Decoupage of furniture is generally a separate topic for conversation. Coffee and coffee tables, garden benches, chairs, sideboards, dressers ...

The main thing is to be able to stop in time. A room overloaded with decorated furniture will make a repulsive impression. In everything you need to know when to stop.

So, we have decided on the items for decoupage. Move on.

What is required to perform decoupage?

Today, handicraft stores offer a huge selection of materials and tools for decoupage. In order not to get confused in this variety, it is better for a beginner to purchase a minimal set for decoupage.

This set includes a primer, three-layer napkins, small scissors with rounded ends, flat-shaped brushes of different widths made of hard bristles, as well as PVA glue. A special glue for decoupage is preferable, but PVA will also work.

If you want to decorate the surface of the product with glitter, you will need glitter glue.

After fixing the pattern on the surface, the object must be covered with transparent varnish. This will protect the image from damage and give the product a finished look. There are two types of decoupage varnish - matte and glossy.

I want to make some small details clearer. To do this, they need to be painted with acrylic paints using a thin brush. Acrylic paints are durable and non-toxic.

Their advantage is that the drawing can be completely washed off with water before it dries. After the paints have dried, this will no longer be possible.

The choice of acrylic paints is huge. These are both common base shades and glossy paints with a glow effect or with a pearlescent effect.

Sometimes it becomes necessary to artificially age the product. Craquelure varnish will help with this. After applying it to a pre-painted surface, it forms cracks. One gets the impression that the surface of the object is covered with a patina, and this is a sure sign of his advanced age.

And one more thing: before you start working with a wooden blank, make sure that its surface is well sanded. Otherwise, you will need a fine emery cloth to polish the wood.

How to make high-quality decoupage?

Before you start working on your first product, be sure to practice cutting out an element from a napkin, carefully gluing the decor onto the base, and finally, applying varnish - here, too, there are little tricks, we will talk about them below.

After that, you can start on a more serious project.

The most important stage is thinking over appearance products. Choose a blank, think over the plot and color scheme, make sure you have the necessary equipment.

Most often, napkins are used for decoupage surfaces. It is best to start mastering the technique with them. It is necessary to separate the top layer with a pattern from the two bottom ones. Carefully cut out the plot with sharp scissors.

When working with decoupage cards, simply cut out the plot you need or cut it off with your fingers along the contour. This will give the image a natural look.

If you are decoupage using photographs or paper illustrations, immerse them in water at room temperature for a while. This should be done very carefully to preserve the top layer.

When the images are properly wet, take them out of the water and peel off the bottom layer of paper. This will be easy: the wet paper base literally rolls under your fingers. Let the drawing dry a little. You can cut the parts you want before getting wet or after drying.

At this stage, you can give the image the desired effect. Antique prints give the item a vintage look. An ordinary tea bag will help you to make a drawing or newspaper clippings old.

Boil it in boiling water, then cool and blot the image. After drying, the tea forms yellowish-brown streaks, just like on old paper.

The next step is surface preparation. Sand the surface if necessary.

Cover with acrylic primer. If not, dilute PVA glue with water: it will replace the primer. Plastic, glass or ceramic surfaces do not need to be primed. It is necessary to wash off the fat traces from them. Wash them with dish soap or rubbing alcohol.

Now the most difficult stage is gluing the plot onto the base. The image is very thin, so we place it on the base and apply glue on top. It is important to prevent wrinkles and paper rolling. Apply the glue with a flat brush from the center to the edges, carefully smoothing out the folds.

After gluing, let the product dry. Then you can start drawing small details, if necessary. To decorate the borders of the plot, a relief acrylic contour is sometimes used. We are patiently waiting for complete drying.

And finally, the final touch. To preserve all this created beauty, we cover the work with acrylic varnish. If you intend to apply several layers of varnish - make sure that each layer is properly dry, and only then apply the next.

Are you planning to give the product an old-fashioned charm? Cover the dry surface with craquelure varnish. Almost immediately, your work will be covered with a fine mesh of cracks. Keep in mind: the thicker the varnish layer, the wider the cracks.

Recently, varnishes with a colored shade have appeared on the market. It is also designed for aging decoupage work.

What do you need to know when working with other surfaces?

At the beginning of the article, we talked about how decoupage technique can be used to decorate almost any flat surface. Fabric is one such surface. The peculiarity of decoupage clothing is the use of a special varnish. They cover the applique at the end of the work.

After the product is dry, iron it through cheesecloth with a slightly heated iron. Wash the product in warm water and wear it with pleasure.

Decoupage of cardboard blanks also has its own rules. The problem is that when smeared with glue, the cardboard is strongly deformed. Exit - before starting decoupage, cover the surface of the cardboard with plaster or varnish.

Gypsum for the primer is diluted with warm water to a thick sour cream. You can also purchase a special primer for cardboard. The folds of the cardboard blanks are processed with rubber glue. This will avoid deformation.

A high-quality decoupage of decorative candles will help you to perform ... an ordinary spoon. After gluing the plot, the spoon is heated from the concave side, and the convex part is carried out according to the pattern. The wax that has come through the image completely replaces the varnish of the candle.

Below are photos of items decorated using decoupage technique.
We hope that our decoupage master class will help you master this unique technique perfectly. We wish you creative success and brilliant ideas!

Decoupage tips for beginners. Learning decoupage technique for beginners. Decoupage cardboard boxes: how to decorate a box

Decoupage technique for beginners

What you need for decoupage: tools, materials

Decoupage for beginners from napkins: master class

Decoupage bottles for beginners

Decoupage furniture for beginners

Decoupage glass for beginners step by step

Decoupage for beginners step by step on wood

Decoupage boxes for beginners

Decoupage for beginners watches

Decoupage of tea houses for beginners

Materials (edit)

Decoupage technique for beginners

Photo of decoupage technique

Direct decoupage - classic method

Basic nuances

Features of decorating with napkins

Reverse decoupage and its subtleties

Artistic (smoky) decoupage for the patient

Decopatch - imitation of patchwork technique

Volumetric (3D) decoupage - modern technique

How to work with modeling paste

Putty technique

Decor with fabric

Application of art gels

Working with 3D maps

Sospeso Trasparente - the newest way to decorate in three dimensions

Step-by-step decoupage master classes in different techniques

What you need to buy for decoupage: the basis

Tools and materials for decoupage

Materials (edit)

Instruments

Needlework is in trend again!

What items can be decorated using the decoupage technique?

What can be decorated with decoupage?

Note!

Note!

Note!

What is required to perform decoupage?

How to make high-quality decoupage?

What do you need to know when working with other surfaces?

DIY decoupage photo