Decoupage is French for cut. Therefore, the decoupage technique involves decorating and decorating with cut paper motifs. For the first time, they learned about such a decoration technique from Chinese peasants in the XII century. Technique has found its rightful place in the works of famous artists Matisse and Picasso. Today, creating a unique product using decoupage technique can be done at home, armed with tools and materials.
About scissors and brushes
The main tool, as well as the key to obtaining a high-quality image, are scissors. Choose those that move freely, otherwise you risk tearing the image or crushing it. It is better if you have several pairs in your arsenal that differ in the size and length of the blade.
You will need brushes for applying glue, acrylic paints and varnish. It is better to work with glue with synthetic flat brushes number 8 or 10. It will be convenient to apply acrylic paints and varnish with flat semi-soft brushes and round pony brushes. In creating a complex background, you cannot do without a wide flat brush - a flute with stiff bristles. If your creativity is measured on large surfaces, you will need a paint roller to paint them. Tamponing is a method of applying paint, carried out using a foam sponge or sponge.
Necessary little things
The convenience of work is largely determined by the availability of additional tools. Toothpicks will be useful for straightening and moving parts of the cut out image. Dip the tip of a toothpick into water before performing such manipulations. Cotton swabs can easily remove excess glue from the primed surface. Pieces of cotton wool, cotton pads, soft cotton fabric are reliable helpers when creating decorative cracks (craquelures).
If you use large-sized pictures or cut out of thick paper in your work, use a rubber wallpaper roller for gluing. Palette knife - a spatula for mixing paint for the background, as well as for covering the surface with putty.
Cleaning and grinding of the working surface is carried out with sandpaper of various grain sizes.
Choosing varnish, glue and pictures
To create decoupage, you can use special paper, ordinary napkins, postcards, photographs, newspaper clippings, wrapping paper for gifts.
When purchasing glue for decoupage, consider the type of surface on which the masterpiece will be created. For fabrics, use a textile glue. A durable elastic moisture-resistant film is not subject to abrasion during washing and is not subject to deformation in the future. As a budget option, you can use PVA glue.
The final coating can be done with acrylic or alkyd varnish. Using an alkyd polymer, you get moisture resistance, but you will have to endure an unpleasant pungent smell and a long drying time for some time. Another feature of the glue is the ability to turn yellow, so its use is relevant when creating motifs with artificial aging in the vintage style and two-step craquelures.
