Decoupage is a modern technique of decorated decoration of various household items (caskets, plates, jewelry, etc.). The basis of decoupage is gluing an ornament, drawing or painting onto the surface of an object using glue. Most often, this pattern is cut from a napkin. After that, the work is varnished to preserve the drawing.
Napkin technique, or decoupage
The history of napkin technology begins in the 15th century, it was then that the first mentions of it appear in historical records. At this time, in Germany, the decoupage technique was used to decorate pieces of furniture to give them the luxury of overseas antiques. Decoupage got its development in the 17th century in Venice and was known as the "art of the poor". At that time in Venice, furniture with oriental inlays was very popular, and since it was difficult to get the original, inventive Venetian craftsmen learned to imitate the fashionable style by gluing the design to the furniture and carefully covering it with several layers of varnish to achieve the illusion of a natural surface.
Decoupage today is not only decorating furniture, but also a wide variety of items, from dishes to items of clothing. The development of this decoration technique has led to the use of new materials and new tools in the work. With the help of decoupage, it is easy to create original and exclusive products that attract with their individuality.
Materials for work
Nowadays, many different materials are sold in modern stores. Their choice depends on the type and technique of work. The main material for creating works is glue. Often, ordinary PVA glue or special decoupage glue is used for these purposes. You will also need a variety of brushes, sponges and rollers. Another important tool is scissors. They should be sharp so as not to spoil the drawing when cutting. Also, cotton swabs, a toothbrush, sandpaper, masking tape and a hair dryer are used as tools. The main material is also varnish. You can use acrylic, alkyd or varnish to create craquelure.
How to make an applique
Before starting work in decoupage technique, you should properly prepare the surface of the product. To do this, as a primer, the surface is covered with PVA or acrylic paint. The wooden surface should be sanded before use.
While the primer dries, you can prepare the drawing. For rigidity, several layers of napkin are used. The finished sample should be carefully cut along the very contour and the lower layers of the paper should be separated so that only the layer with the pattern remains. Then the drawing is applied to the surface and carefully covered with the first layer of varnish. In this case, you should ensure that no air bubbles remain under the drawing and that it fits snugly to the surface. After the main layer has dried, you need to apply several more layers for the strength of the product. When all layers of varnish are dry, the work is ready.
The decoupage technique is very simple to perform and with its help you can always create an original and interesting thing.
