Basics of decoupage. Decoupage. Master classes for beginners step by step with photos: from napkins on a bottle, box, plate, chair, woodwork, wallpaper, photograph, eggshell. Bottle decoration technique

Engaging in creativity today is interesting and fashionable. Everywhere you look, every second sews, embroiders, glues and crafts. Imperceptibly you yourself are tempted to do something beautiful and preferably useful. You start to study the assortment of shops, and you understand: it is difficult to knit, it takes a long time to embroider, not everyone knows how to draw, and even fantasy is not enough. This is where decoupage comes to the rescue. Europe has long been ill with this type of needlework, and, it seems, for a long time. On the wave of popularity, decoupage broke into our country, and now worries avid needlewomen and beginners.

So what is decoupage?

Decoupage is a kind of applied art, which is a technique for decorating various surfaces by applying printed pictures, followed by varnishing the resulting image to protect it from external influences.

Decoupage allows, according to our tastes, to choose the best from numerous designs, cut out the image you like and then attach it to the object we are decorating.

Decoupage allows you to decorate furniture, boxes, caskets, fabric, buckets, watering cans and much more.

After completing all the stages of work, the picture will look like a drawn one.

Where is it applied?

With decoupage, you can decorate almost everything that our imagination tells us: flower pots, vases, plates (decorative), glasses, cutting boards (wooden or plastic). You can sew a tablecloth and napkins from a simple fabric, and arrange them in an exclusive set. You can make a sofa cushion for our interior. But you never know what can be done ... The main thing is that all things will turn out beautiful and useful in the household!

Having studied and mastered this type of needlework, I tested it with students in grades 5-8 in the classroom and in the classroom outside of school hours. Children enthusiastically engaged in decoupage, seeing the results of their work.

See how ordinary decoupage flower pots have been transformed.

BASICS OF DECOUPAGE

The word decoupage comes from the French "cut". Accordingly, the “decoupage technique” is a technique for decorating, decorating with the help of cut paper motifs. The decoration of interior elements using the “decoupage” technique dates back to the 17th century. It was then that gluing paper applications on furniture, floors, walls was widely used, so that varnished applications looked like drawings. The technique gained further popularity in England in the 19th century.

Currently, motifs are more often cut out of three-layer napkins, therefore decoupage in some languages ​​has received a different name - napkin technique. But sticky motifs are not limited to napkins.

These can be illustrations from magazines, wrapping paper, labels. Recently, the use of printer printouts has become widespread. And, in fact, the only unifying base in this technique: cutting motifs. The decorated surfaces themselves can be made of a wide variety of materials - wood, metal, ceramics, glass, fabric, leather, plastic.

In order to decoupage, it is also necessary to use materials such as acrylic paints and varnish to protect the surface. The objects themselves should be decorated in such a way that the glued motif blends with the background and does not look glued. For this purpose, various methods are used.

Materials and accessories.

To do the job you will need:

1. Object for decoupling.

2. Scissors.

3. Paper with pictures to cut out.

4. Vinyl glue.

6. Pencil and tape.

7. Various varnishes and paints for coating:

  • waterproof varnishes - for products that will be exposed to moisture;
  • acrylic paints - for coloring the background.

8. Sequins.

The object for decoupling can be anything: clay, wood, aluminum, glass, and so on.

Scissors.

Various sizes for your convenience. Manicure scissors are very convenient for cutting small details.

Paper.

Paper with collections of images of different sizes on a common theme is very convenient. The paper should be thin so that the drawing fits well on the item being decoupled and looks like it was painted.

To finish the work, you can use Varnish Flatting. Works treated with such varnish acquire a yellowish tint, imitating the old age of the object.

Vinyl glue.

It is necessary to use vinyl glue, strictly following the instructions on the package. You can also consult in specialized stores.

Brushes.

As a rule, it is written on a jar of glue which brushes it is desirable to use for it, but if this is not indicated, it is better not to take gentle brushes from the column, but to buy a good flat synthetic brush.

Pencil and tape.

They will be required in order to mark the locations of the pictures on the surface for decoupling, according to our plan.

Ruler and square.

They are necessary for the symmetrical placement of pictures on the product.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS:

CUTTING OUT.

To cut motifs from napkins, use very sharp small scissors (manicure, medical, special scissors for cutwork and tapestries), to cut from denser materials, use scissors, a scalpel or a special decoupage knife (with a rotating blade).

If the pattern on the napkins is too small and thin to cut out, then large elements are cut out, and small ones are drawn with a very thin brush.

GLUING

First of all, special adhesives for decoupage are used for gluing. In their absence, you can glue PVA, egg white, diluted wallpaper glue, paste, nail polish.

Before gluing, two extra layers are removed from the napkin, only the third with a pattern is left. A motif from a napkin is applied to the surface being formed and they begin to glue it with a flat brush, smearing it with glue from the outside. Being impregnated with glue, the napkin begins to stretch, so it should be glued very carefully, straightening the formed folds with a brush. Gluing should start from the middle of the motif.

Special decoupage paper should be soaked for a minute in water and between two layers of paper towel before gluing. The motif in this case is smeared from the inside, applied to the object, smoothed out with a brush. On top, you can once again walk with glue.

Printer printouts are glued after spraying the image with hairspray so that the colors do not blur. If the paper with printouts is thin enough, then you can glue it with egg white, without preliminary spraying.

The decoupage technique uses acrylic paints that dry quickly, are easy to apply and do not dissolve with water after drying. You can also use special paints for decoupage, art paints for wood or metal.

It is convenient to use a flat semi-rigid brush 1-2 cm wide, it is also convenient to apply paint and varnish with it. For large items, it is better to use larger brushes or a roller.

VARNISHING.

When the work is already painted and glued, it must be covered with final layers of varnish to protect it from mechanical damage and moisture.

We use matte or glossy varnish, depending on the effect we want to get. It is better to use acrylic varnish. There can be a different number of layers of varnish: from 2 to 40, as many as necessary so that the picture merges with the object on which it is pasted. Wooden surfaces require more coats of lacquer, as the tree absorbs the first couple of layers.

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY:

The first and most important operation is the choice of a product for decoupling.

1. Select the pattern you like and cut it out. Divide the napkin into layers, then work only with the topmost, colorful layer.

2. Apply glue to the surface and apply the cut motif. Cover with two coats of adhesive that matches your surface. The napkin should be completely saturated with glue, and the drawing should be carefully and very carefully smoothed out with a brush (not by hand!).

3. Drying time and surface treatment after drying depends on the adhesive used.

Decoupage technique allows you to decorate any surface.

Using the napkin technique, you can decorate gift boxes, walls, furniture, flower pots, lampshades, candles, tablecloths, serving napkins, etc. with flowers. You can also make name cards for guests. Decorative borders can be made on walls, furniture, mirrors.

DECOUPAGE ON GLASS.

1. Carefully peel off the top layer of the tissue paper. Cut out the pattern you want. It is not necessary to repeat it exactly, these flaws will become invisible after applying the varnish.

2. The glass surface must be dry and clean. Put the cut out fragment on the glass and apply acrylic varnish over the napkin, smoothing it with a soft synthetic brush. You will have the opportunity to move a little and more carefully fit all the elements to each other.

3. After you have completely finished decoupage, and the varnish has dried, for greater strength, I recommend covering all the elements with varnish again, and again let it dry completely.

4. To finally fix the drawings on glass or ceramic products, they must be calcined. To do this, put it in a cold oven, bring it to a temperature of 150 ° C and hold for 30 minutes. Then, let the product cool in the oven.

A. Paint over transparent places with a bright background;
b. Finish your plot around decoupage;
V. Apply another pattern on the back of the glass;
G. Decorate with rhinestones, glass, shells ...
d. Stop without damaging anything.

6. After the paints, varnish and glue are completely dry, coat all painted parts with acrylic varnish for durability.

Moreover, your paints can be different, both acrylic and special for glass. Of course, it is not recommended to use gouache, watercolor, oil and construction paints for this technique.

READY WORKS.



In this case, we made decorative items and used PVA glue. But you can make a more practical product that can be washed. Then you will need to use a special textile adhesive. These products must be washed very carefully and by hand.

Are you a creative, passionate person, striving to surround yourself with beautiful things made by your own hands? Then you have chosen the right page! Here you will find a story about how - that is, an incredibly simple, and at the same time exquisite way to decorate various objects and the interior of your home.

Isn't it a beautiful word - "decoupage"! .. The atmosphere of past centuries, antiques, hand-made masterpieces created by talented craftsmen immediately appear before your eyes. The word "decoupage" is of French origin, from "découper", which means "cut".

“So, to make decoupage, you need to cut something?” - you ask. Quite right! But not just “something”, but a specially selected ornament, elements of decorative trim and even entire plot pictures must first be very carefully and accurately cut out of paper, and then glued using a special technique. For what? Yes to anything! Boxes, caskets, cabinet doors, chair backs… Any surface that you would like to turn into a handmade masterpiece is suitable for decoupage. After gluing, the surface must be varnished, often even in several layers, so that the edges of the cut out picture are not noticeable to the touch, and the whole product looks like an artistic painting or an inlaid item. This is the effect that an unusual decoupage can give, let's get to know it better!

What is decoupage technique

Decoupage as a kind of special art originated in France around the 17-18 centuries, and its roots go back to ancient times, to China. Pieces of paper cut from the main paper web were used to decorate lanterns, windows, and boxes. After the West began to actively trade with the East, the decoupage technique penetrated Europe and immediately became very widespread. Many craftsmen tried to fake fashionable Chinese furniture and used decoupage for this. Since the decoupage technique was not difficult and only accuracy and patience were needed to complete it, ordinary people began to engage in it as their hobby.

We already know the basics of this technique - the cut out parts of the decoration elements are glued onto blanks or other objects, then varnished. What exactly needs to be cut? Where can I find the pictures or ornaments I need?

There is a special paper for decoupage, on which patterns, ornamental pictures, plot compositions are printed. And someone uses the decoupage technique to decorate various items ... ordinary napkins that you can buy in the most ordinary store! They use postcards, newspaper clippings, photographs, decorative paper for gift wrapping and much, much more. Perhaps your creative imagination will tell you some new, unusual material for decoupage? It is even allowed to use materials such as lace and feathers, as long as the composition being created is harmonious and fits into the overall ensemble of your interior, if, for example, you are decorating furniture.

How to make decoupage with your own hands

Many people today are fond of the art of decoupage. If you try to search for information about decoupage on the Internet, you will see what a huge number of sites unite these enthusiastic people. They exchange advice, new techniques, talk about their achievements. If you decide to join these creative natures, we will tell you how to try to make your own masterpiece, because this does not require large material costs, decoupage is available to absolutely everyone!

So, we need:

  • object on which we will embody the artistic intent. To begin with, use something simpler - the lid of a box or box;
  • picture - a napkin, a photograph, or whatever you decide to use for decoration;
  • PVA glue, which can be slightly diluted with water;
  • scissors - can be of different sizes, from manicure for cutting through the smallest details, to ordinary stationery for cutting, for example, stripes of an ornament;
  • brushes;
  • a small roller for better smoothing the pictures, but you can also use a regular cloth napkin;
  • decoupage varnish - for example, acrylic or polyurethane;
  • elements of additional decor, if you decide to use them, for example, sparkles, paints;
  • wipes to remove excess glue (you can use a regular old cloth).

A step-by-step description of the decoupage technique for beginners

  • Prepare the surface - it must be dry and clean. If the surface is wooden - prime it, for this you can use acrylic varnish.
  • Carefully cut out the picture, making sure that the background is completely removed and only the picture itself remains. Attach it to the surface and determine the place where we will stick it.
  • Now you need to lubricate the picture with PVA glue, then - with the same glue you need to lubricate the surface. Slowly, carefully pressing, glue the picture. Use a napkin, roller or just your fingers to smooth it out to remove possible wrinkles and air bubbles.
  • Remove excess glue with a tissue. Let the picture dry.
  • If you need to further decorate the picture, for example, with sparkles or paints, cover the picture with one layer of varnish and, after it dries, apply the necessary decor elements.
  • Now you need to cover the product with several layers of varnish. Make sure that each layer is completely dry before the next coating, and the finished result looks like a completely smooth and even surface without protruding borders of your image. Interestingly, in the old days, to make a truly real work of art, it was required to apply up to forty layers of varnish! It took a long time to dry each layer, because the masters then did not know synthetic quick-drying varnishes. Sometimes the process of making things took several years!

When finished, carefully inspect it for any irregularities or minor flaws in the form of smudges of varnish or glue.

Isn't it true that a decoupage product is very similar to Chinese lacquer items? Now you are the owner of a unique thing, made in an old and so modern style!

Where can you apply decoupage?

If you have tried to decorate any thing using the decoupage technique and the result pleased you, we advise you not to stop and continue your creative exercises! It is very good if children join you, they will be happy to help you cut out the necessary elements for decoration from improvised materials - newspapers, magazines. And even if the work is not entirely carefully done, be sure to praise them! Believe me, such joint activities have great pedagogical meaning - the child joins the beautiful and sees the results of his work. For children, decoupage is widely used in the design of furniture, photo albums, diaries and other cute little things, especially pleasing girls. For example, self-made valentines and presented to the object of their sympathy will definitely not leave anyone indifferent!

Notebooks, photo frames and mirrors, plates, trays, dishes, original bottles - this is an approximate and far from complete list of those items that you can turn into real artistic values ​​with the help of decoupage! And if you apply a special varnish with the “craquelure” effect, which can crack picturesquely when dried, then your products will become just rare antiques - they will look like they were created many years ago and inherited from your ancestors - aristocrats.


Created in a single copy and almost inimitable, objects decorated using decoupage technique will embody your individuality and make your interior original. Create and you will see how things created with love and diligence create a warm and sincere atmosphere in your home!

Decoupage in French means "cut". As an art form, decoupage is mentioned in Germany at the end of the 15th century. Furniture was decorated with carved pictures.

Items for decoupage

Nowadays, this ancient decor technique is beginning to gain momentum in the design of paper, leather, fabric and even wood cutouts from any materials. From metal, ceramics, wood, fabric. Thus, you can decorate clothes, women's handbags and shopping baskets, hats, dishes and jewelry boxes. With its help, author's pieces of furniture are also created.

Do-it-yourself decoupage from napkins

Among other things, you can also do decoupage with your own hands from napkins. Yes, exactly, from ordinary three-layer paper napkins with various patterns. Utensils decorated with cutouts from napkins - cups, plates, servings, women's accessories, home decor items and other products look very original and stylish. And most importantly, such work cannot be immediately distinguished from a factory product.

Below we invite you to look at products that are decorated using decoupage technique.

What is even more interesting is that even a schoolboy can handle this type of decoupage.

A step-by-step description of the decoupage technique with your own hands

Let's take a look at the decoupage technique for beginners in step-by-step execution.

For work, you will need, first of all, sharp scissors, brushes for drawing, two types of sandpaper - large and small, surface degreaser, decoupage primer or acrylic paint, PVA glue or glue stick. And first you need to decide on the item that you want to decorate, and already pick up a napkin with a pattern under it.

The tools are ready, the item to be decorated is selected, the napkin is decided. So, let's get to work.

First of all, you need to prepare for decoupage the surface of the object on which the napkin will be glued. If you have a wooden surface, then you need to sand it with large sandpaper, and then fine. The surface of the glass object must be degreased with alcohol or nail polish remover. Clean the metal surface of rust and also degrease.

To prevent the background of the decorated object from showing through the napkin, cover its entire surface or the area that the napkin will occupy with white acrylic paint. So your work will look bright.

Then cut out the pattern you need from the napkin or carefully tear it out. To easily tear the design from the napkin, blot its contours with a brush dipped in water. From the blank with a pattern, remove the two lower white layers of the napkin. For work, you only need the top layer with a pattern.

Attach the cut out pattern to the surface of your choice and with a brush, carefully, starting from the center of the pattern, apply PVA glue. You can also vice versa - glue the surface with glue, and glue a napkin on top. Under the influence of glue, the napkin gets wet and starts to wrinkle, so take your time and straighten all the wrinkles.

Let the glued drawing dry, and then apply several layers of varnish. This will protect your craft from mechanical scratches. Now there are many types of varnish. And for your products, you can choose any. You can take a glossy varnish, you can - matte. For an item that you plan to display outdoors, be sure to use a water-based varnish.

Fabric for decoupage is also subject to pre-treatment. It needs to be washed and ironed well. Then glue the selected pattern, let it dry and open it with several layers of varnish. And then iron the finished product with a warm iron through a piece of cotton fabric.

To make it clearer, let's look at the theory in practice, namely, a decoupage master class with napkins of an ordinary glass bottle.

We remove the labels from the bottle and remove the glue. To do this, lower it literally for an hour in a hot soapy solution. Wash the bottle well and dry with a towel. Then, using a sponge and a solvent, degrease the glass. And only after that the bottle is ready for work.

We apply several layers of acrylic paint to the bottle with a foam sponge.

While the paint dries, remove the two lower layers from the napkin (we do not need them).

We lubricate the surface of the bottle with PVA glue, put a prepared pattern from a napkin on it, which we carefully lubricate with glue on top and thereby distribute the napkin on the bottle. We do all this carefully so that wrinkles do not form.

The glued drawing should dry well. And to put the final point in the work, the bottle needs to be covered several times with a colorless varnish.

The result is a very beautiful bottle that can even be used as a gift.

Dare and create unique things that will please you and delight others.

Video on the topic of the article

Decoupage is a technique of imitating painting on any surface, decorating bathtubs, furniture, boxes, frames, glass items, mirrors and anything else with paper cutouts.

In the new direction of decoupage, not decoupage paper is mainly used, but napkins. On the required surface, a thin and delicate decorative napkin is glued perfectly.

Due to the light texture, the napkin applied to a dark surface disappears entirely, and applied to a light surface, it shines.

Tools

Traditionally, decoupage for beginners requires the following tools:

  1. Scissors are small or medium with short and thin blades.
  2. Napkins.
  3. Glue (decoupage or PVA, diluted with water 1: 1).
  4. Finishing acrylic paints.
  5. Brushes.
  6. Decoration item.

Depending on what technique will be used, in addition, the following tools will be needed for work:

  • Krakele - forms cracks, there are several types;
  • Bitumen is a black thick, unpleasantly smelling liquid that stains the product and ages it;
  • Aging varnish or resin - gives the effect of antiquity, creates a yellow coating;
  • Silicone, modeling paste, bulino - to create a 3D effect;
  • Soft rubber pad or mouse pad
  • A candle and sandpaper will help create a shabby effect.

Stages of work

Before decoupage is done on a certain surface (wood, plastic, glass), this surface is prepared.

On a wooden base, the pile is cleaned with fine sandpaper, primed and cleaned again. If the bases are plastic, glass or previously painted, then they must be degreased with a soda solution and dried.

After that, the decoupage surface is painted with white or a certain color paint.

While the base dries, prepare a picture.

Decoupage decorative plate step by step

This is how the decoupage instruction for a decorative plate looks like step by step:

It is especially worth cutting out an ornament with nail scissors if you have to apply it on a colored base that differs in color from a napkin, or the base has an intense color.

If the base is white, light or the same color as the napkin, then accuracy is not needed. Even the left contour no one will notice later.

In the case when the picture is large, then it is cut out in parts, but not in straight lines, but by maneuvering between the images. So then the drawing will be conveniently connected into one whole.

If it is necessary to leave the background, then the pattern on the napkin is not cut out with scissors, but carefully pulled out of the napkin. With jagged edges, the motif is glued and it turns out like painted shadows.

As a rule, there are 2 or 3 layers interconnected. If the decorative layer is separated in advance, then the work will become more complicated.

If it is difficult to separate the layers, you can grease your fingers with glue.

When the glue is almost dry, it will simply capture both layers as seen in the photo below. The layers will separate, and the napkin will remain intact.

If you stick the top layer of the napkin with a special adhesive, wrinkling can be avoided. The places where the cut out motifs will be located are selected, a thin layer of glue is applied to the base and the application is applied.

In fact, this is fixing the desired element.

Glue is applied using radial movements from the center of the pattern to the sides.

You should not brush over one place more than 2 times. Every time you dip the brush into the glue, you need to wring it out very well, because excess glue can turn the napkin into a “porridge”.

If the gap could not be avoided, then you need to dock the torn edges on the base, moving and connecting them with a needle.

4. Smoothing out bubbles and small swellings

You need to expel bubbles with a brush dipped in glue, moving from the center to the edges. If the case is difficult, the bubble must be pierced in the center and the air removed, moving the brush from the edges to the center.

5. Application of an additional adhesive layer

As soon as the pattern is fixed and smoothed, another adhesive layer is applied. Napkin glue is also a finishing varnish. If PVA is used for work, then after drying, you need to apply a finishing varnish.

To eliminate wrinkles, you can iron the element that is glued with a warm iron, after covering it with a layer of tracing paper, then the iron will not stick to the napkin. This should be done after the glue has dried.

6. Decoration

If necessary, with the help of a brush, the necessary patterns or details are drawn, the joints are tinted.

7. Lacquering

After drying, the surface is opened with 2-3 layers of varnish.

Video review of decoupage plates step by step

For a more detailed overview of this topic, see the video instruction on how to properly decoupage a plate:

These are the main points that teach you how to make decoupage from napkins without any skills.

Decoupage on wood. step by step

Decoupage on furniture is exciting and beautiful, but you need to start gaining experience on simple and small wooden objects. For example, it can be a kitchen board.

Here is a step-by-step photo tutorial to help you learn how to decoupage on a wood surface.

Here's what you need to have to work:

  1. cutting board made of wood;
  2. white primer on wood;
  3. a napkin with a pattern that you like;
  4. PVA glue;
  5. sponge
  6. acrylic paints;
  7. brushes;
  • The plank on one side and on the ends is covered with soil with a sponge. After that, the primer should dry well.


It turns out here is such a board.
It can serve not only as a decoration of the kitchen, but also as a gift.

Video review of decoupage boards step by step

For a more detailed overview of this topic, see the video instruction on how to properly decoupage a kitchen plank:

Surface aging techniques

Considering decoupage as an art form, it is worth mentioning the methods and styles. To prepare the surface and change the appearance of the product, various aging techniques are used:

  • Attrition on antique furniture. To do this, use 2 types of contrasting paint colors, wax, paraffin and sandpaper (can be replaced with the hard side of a sponge for washing dishes). The base is painted with one paint, when it dries, the places of promising abrasions are rubbed with wax, after which they are painted with the second paint, dried and the wax is cleaned off with sandpaper. Furniture will have the color of the second paint, and scuffs will have the color of the first paint.
  • Patina- a temporary raid of antiquity. There are special compounds for patting, with the help of which metal, wood and plaster products are quickly aged. These products can create oxidized surfaces affected by rust, as well as create a barely visible layer of moss.
  • potal- reception of silvering and gilding the base for decoupage.
  • Craquelure- the effect of cracking a layer of paints. To create such a cracked surface, you can use two layers of varnish with different properties and different drying times. If these varnishes are combined, they form the necessary cracks. To give the cracks a clear and contrasting look, they are rubbed with special grouts.
  • Shabby chic is a style that has lost its luster. In decoupage, this is a white (beige) base with a touch of antiquity.
  • Provence- based on faded, pastel colors. Pictures are vegetables and fruits, bouquets of wildflowers.
  • ethnicity inherent motives of life and nature of different countries.
  • Japanese decoupage- these are delicate flowers on sakura branches, butterflies, moths, small birds against the backdrop of a round moon or blue sky.
  • Indian style These are rich colors, geometric shapes and ornaments, gilding and silver.


The art of decoupage has ceased to be just a fascinating pastime, now it is a prestigious art that is inherent not only to skilled craftsmen, but also to beginner needlewomen.

It is generally accepted that modern decoupage takes its origins from the favorite pastime of the court ladies of medieval France, who decorated furniture with colorful paper fragments, imitating painting. The paper in those days was much thicker than delicate German napkins, each motif was carefully and accurately cut out, which is why the name of the method (decouper - French. "cut").

The invention of decoupage was not without the Chinese: it was the elegant lacquered furniture that they made to order for the nobility that served as the prototype that the craftswomen of those times tried to achieve.

A little later, at the court of the English queen, decoupage stepped even further - they began to actively use it to decorate smaller items: caskets, combs and details of a ladies' toilet. Nowadays, objects created by masters of the 18th century are considered objects of art and serve as a role model for modern needlewomen.

Decoupage experienced a rebirth in the 20th century, easily settling on the canvases of famous artists - Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse. Now the technique has become accessible to absolutely everyone: enormous opportunities in the search for art objects and the emergence of fundamentally new materials have raised decoupage to a new stage of development.

Looking for "canvas"

Considered "the art of the poor" at the French court, decoupage took on the form of luxury in England. Nowadays, this technique opens up great prospects for an inspired look: almost anything your heart desires can be used as a basis for creativity. Some restrictions can only be created by the type of basis chosen.

All potential art objects can be divided into two groups:

  • Porous, which accept and absorb paint well, firmly hold the decor on themselves. These include blanks made of wood, plywood and MDF, fiberboard substrates, unglazed ceramics. The preparation of the surface of such objects depends entirely on their purpose: blanks for creativity are sold sanded and completely ready for work, but if you take an old box or box, then you will have to remove the paint layer from it yourself, sand it and sand it to smoothness.
  • Smooth surfaces, the dense structure of which does not want to hold paint - glass, porcelain, plastic, metal. The applied layer of paint from such objects can come off with any mechanical impact, as well as if the object gets into the water. Therefore, it is recommended to apply a primer to bottles and jars, vases and plates before decorating, which increases the adhesion of the paint to the surface.


Fabric objects are a very special decoupage link. They do not require complex preparation - a simple wash of the product before work is enough. Decoupage on fabric is rarely used in clothing, as gluing a napkin or card makes the texture of the fabric more rough. But this type of decoupage is actively used to decorate various accessories.

When looking for an art object, it is also important to take into account the level of skill: if you are just testing your strength, then the most advantageous option will be small, flat objects - panels and plates that do not require significant painting of the motif, painting over small details. Using smooth, non-porous substrates, you can easily wash away the failed work and start over, while wood and plywood are intolerant of such procedures.

paper solo

Decoupage has much in common with applique, however, it differs from it in its special artistry, picturesqueness - paper motifs in it must imitate painting and become akin to the surface. Working with different types of paper motifs has a number of nuances and subtleties.


  • Napkins are the most popular and favorite material. Their thin layer of paint easily merges with the surface, without forming a height difference, and in abundance of motives, you can choose the most interesting options and combinations. At the same time, napkins are extremely difficult to work with - each extra drop of glue can cause them to break, bubbles and folds often form on the surface. It takes experience and skill to create a real masterpiece with a napkin.
  • Decoupage cards delight not only with an abundance of motives, but also with different paper weights. If a weight over 45 g/m is indicated, be prepared for paper thinning, motif soaking, and rather troublesome work. Thin cards stick well like vinyl wallpaper, but require a few extra coats of varnish to hide the height difference.
  • Rice paper is a material ideal for decoupage. Do not tear, do not form folds and easily fall even on curved and intricate surfaces.

Decoupage as a set of techniques and methods

Modern decoupage is not just a technique or method, it is a whole trend in art that combines the classic carving of motifs and a number of artistic techniques.


  • Artistic decoupage combines the classics of napkin technique with artistic painting in acrylic, tempera or pastel. Not only light and shadows can be added, but also the general color background, the distant perspective of the picture and other fragments.
  • Decoupage point-to-point. Traditional types of painting can perfectly complement the plots and focus on them. The addition of motifs with contours has become especially popular - dot painting, outlining individual details of the drawing with contour pastes give volume to the work.
  • Volumetric decoupage- an extensive direction in which plastic, polymer clays, foamiran and transparent structural gel can be used to add volume to the pattern.
  • Silhouette decoupage- creating a drawing on canvas, in which maps and napkins are used to form the main objects.
  • paper art- unconventional use of napkins in the creation of reliefs and polychrome forms.

The variety of techniques and paper motifs, the rich history of decoupage and almost unlimited possibilities for decorating objects have given rise to a number of work styles: shabby chic and vintage, provence and country, modern and minimalism, baroque and glamour. Decoupage is an art in which you will never get bored, because its prospects and possibilities can only be limited by your imagination.

The video tells about the use of varnish-glue for decoupage. Lacquer glue is intended for gluing decoupage cards and napkins.