HOW TO DECOUPAGE..?

As we said that Decoupage is the art of decorating an object

by gluing pieces of decorative paper to the surface

and coating it with a protective finish.It needs simple materials

if you have them you can do it urself and

will be surprised with how easy it is.

Materials Needed:

- Glue
- Paintbrush
- Lacquer, varnish, or decoupage finish
- Scissors
- An object to cover with decoupage
- Decoupage materials (newspaper and magazine clippings, paper cut-outs, etc.)

STEPS:

1. Get your materials ready. Select an object you want to decorate, and collect materials to decorate it with. You can use just about any flat materials for decoupage, including cards, tissue paper, wrapping paper, paper shopping bags, magazine clippings, thin fabric pieces, or (of course) decoupage paper.

2. Cut your cut-outs. You can use pieces of paper whole, or you can cut them to make interesting shapes and designs. Use scissors or a craft knife to cut around out the shapes you desire, holding the scissors so that they are angled slightly to the right. This will create a smoother, beveled edge.

3. Plan your decoupage project. Make a sketch of the layout or simply put the cut-outs into place without gluing them and then take a picture so you'll remember the arrangement.

4. Prepare the surface. Make sure the object you are decorating is clean and dry, fill in deep gouges, and sand it down to remove bumps and imperfections if necessary. If you want to paint it or refinish it, you should do this before pasting anything onto it. For some materials, such as wood and metal, you may need to prime the surface with a coat of latex paint to help the cut-outs stick better.

5. Use a glue appropriate for both your surface and your cut-outs. You can generally use plain white glue, and you may find it easier to work with if you dilute it by thoroughly mixing it with some water in a bowl.

6.Apply the glue. Use a paintbrush to brush a thin layer of glue onto your surface. If you can work quickly, you can brush the entire surface at once. You can also brush the glue onto the backs of the cut-outs. Make sure you apply the glue evenly and remove any excess.

7. Glue the cut-outs, piece-by-piece, to the object. Lay a piece of your cut paper onto the area to which you applied the glue. Apply the paper carefully to avoid bending or crumpling it, and smooth it out with a brayer (a small roller) or with your finger, rubbing outward from the center. Repeat with each piece. For a more complex appearance, make several layers of cut-outs. Lay down the first layer and then glue subsequent layers on top, partially overlapping the layers below.

8. Let glue dry. Make sure the whole piece is thoroughly and completely dried before proceeding. If you are applying several layers, make sure each layer is dry before starting on the next.

9. Apply varnish or lacquer. Seal the decoupage with a couple coats of an appropriate sealant, such as specially-formulate decoupage finish (available at art and hobby stores), varnish, or lacquer. Let each coat dry thoroughly before applying the next.

10. Sand the sealed decoupage. When the sealant is dry, sand it with 400 grit sandpaper to remove imperfections. Use a damp cloth to remove residue from sanding. Do not sand until you have enough coats of sealant to completely cover the underlying surface and cut-outs.

11.Continue applying varnish or lacquer. The unique appearance of decoupage is created by multiple coats of sealant. The number of coats is up to you. Depending on the sealant you are using, you may need as few as 4 or 5. Some decoupage artists use as many as 30 or 40 coats. Remember to let each coat dry before applying the next, and sand the decoupage after every couple coats for best results.