What is decoupage and how to renew old stuff at home

Have an old cabinet or other 'archaic' furniture, and you do not want to throw them away? In the age of recycling clothes and belongings "second hand", it is not necessary. It takes only a few steps and knowledge in decoupage technique to breathe life in the already worn-out objects - vases, candlesticks, trays, jewelry boxes, etc.




The basis for the name of that popular in recent years, art has served the French word découpage, which literally means "cut out". Decoupage is itself a kind of collage making and lined on various types of smooth surface.

What do you need?

proper motive - from napkin or special paper for decoupage
scale model knife or scissors
Brush - flat and soft, preferably with synthetic bristle
acrylic paint in white or light tuna (you can use latex)
decoupage glue (the best option is a "universal medium for decoupage") or the C-200
durable varnish or decoupage acrylic paint (to seal the final result)
suitable object or surface on which we will work

What to do - step by step

First and most important is to lay a foundation on which you will use white paint or latex, so that you want to ornament stand better and preserve their natural colors. Once the object is completely dry, take the decorations already selected (if on a napkin, use only the top layer - the one with the picture) and then lightly dampen with water. Bare ground surface and smooth moves from the center apply a thin layer of decoupage glue (or C-200, diluted with a little water), being careful not to tear the napkin or not to get wrinkles.

       Repeat the procedure several times, each time leaving to dry.

        To finalize your sponge (use coarse side) and go very carefully all of the ornaments to make them smooth out fine.

        If you have achieved the desired effect as colors and shapes, apply 2-3 thin successive layers acrylic paint (or permanent nail decoupage), meanwhile waiting for it to dry completely.

Extremely impressive when decorated with decoupage and a glass. In it, however, require both more time and patience, and the availability of less expensive materials.

         To make a fair and uniform basis, you need to handle your item with Glass Medium, and then covered with white acrylic paint (Glass Medium will prevent "landslide" j). Another type of paint that you can use is Tikkurila-Otex, which is applied with a sponge or by door and pat dry for about 30 minutes (there is no need for prior use of Glass Medium).

         Once you have prepared the surface, follow the step by step decoupage technique described above.

If you want, you can keep the glass transparent and decorate some areas of it. For this purpose, take one of the white layers of the napkin under the ground that you will use to stick on the selected object in the usual way. Once dry, apply white acrylic paint only on this basis, then glue on top of her floral ornament. Seal appliqué with several thin layers of nail polish - this will save your creation for a long time.