Technique decoupage wood from napkins - instruction for beginners

In the modern rhythmic world, handmade products have become very valuable, it does not matter if it is clothing, dishes, furniture or other decorative elements. This is because the market is oversaturated with machine-made products. There are many types of art in the world, but this article will plunge you into the world of decoupage.

What is decoupage

Decoupage is a word that came to us from French and literally translates as "cut." This is a very simple technique is the application of the finished paper pattern on any surface. Most often it is either glass, less metal and plastic.

Tools and consumables

Decoupage is a type of decorative and applied art that allows each person to create something truly beautiful using the most simple and affordable materials. You may not believe, but most of the necessary tools are already at your home!

We will understand what is required before starting work.

Instruments

• Sharp manicure or medical scissors convenient for cutting small parts size.
• You may also need a stationery knife.
• Several types of brushes. If you plan to work with small details, you will need flat brushes of small size with a thin artificial pile. For the application of acrylic paint or primer, a regular dishwashing sponge may be useful, but it should be borne in mind that it creates a rough texture, which is not necessary in all work. To create a smooth surface, a large synthetic brush is needed. For drawing small parts on the finished work fit thin brushes made of synthetic pile. It is worth remembering that for applying glue, paint and varnish need separate brushes.
• Sandpaper for sanding the surface during preparatory work or to correct minor errors. Pick up paper with fine and medium grains in several gradations.

Consumables

• Acrylic lacquer. There are many varieties on the market. There are water-based and glue-based, with different effects (antique, with sparkles, cracks) and finishes (matte, glossy, semi-matte, semi-glossy). Choose a water-based varnish, but the effect and finish should be chosen based on the desired result. Both ordinary construction varnish and special decoupage will be suitable for work, but this is already a more expensive option for advanced craftsmen.
• Acrylic paints, watercolors and pastels for drawing small details or creating additional effects.
• Glue. In the shops for creativity jars with a special glue for decoupage are sold, but again, novice masters who just want to try themselves in a new technique need nothing. Suitable PVA glue from the middle price category (do not take the easiest child) diluted with water in equal proportions.
• Priming. It serves to improve the adhesion between the layers of glue and napkins.
• Printouts. For decoupage, thin paper is also suitable, on which a pattern is printed using a laser printer.
• Napkins. More on their varieties is described in the next section.

Napkins for decoupage: what is it

If we talk about the popularity of materials for decoupage, then napkins are the undisputed leader. Napkins are the basis of all technology, which is why it is so important to take into account all the nuances when choosing napkins.

Of course, at first creative pores, the beginner master can use simple serving napkins, but with the help of such napkins it is not always possible to achieve the desired result, because some napkins are too thin and not of good quality, while others are, on the contrary, too thick. Do not chase for cheap materials, purchase special wipes for decoupage in a specialized shop.

Decoupage wipes differ from each other in the number of layers (but the work will still use only the top layer, which shows the picture), the size (21X21cm, 25X25cm, 33X33cm, 40X40cm) and the shape (square, round, rectangular). The same arrangement of motifs can vary from napkin to napkin. There are five basic arrangements: four identical motives, two identical motives located on a napkin in pairs, four different motives, two different motives and, finally, one motive occupying the entire area of ​​the napkin.

When choosing napkins, it is also worth paying much attention to their properties.

• Most often, the upper working layer of the napkin is very thin, translucent. Working with him can be difficult, but it is precisely because of this property that the finished work will resemble watercolor painting, due to the merging of the picture and the surface.
• The ability of paper to stretch and wrinkle. In order to prevent this, you should prepare for decoupage carefully.
• Also due to the transparency of the napkin, choose a color for the background more thoroughly.

Pros and cons of napkins for decoupage

Like any creative material, napkins have their advantages and disadvantages.

Consider the main advantages of this material.

• There are many different types of napkins on the market. Each master will find a suitable color for work, texture, ornament.
• Availability. Napkins for decoupage can be bought at almost any store for art or ordered online.
• The cheapness of the material.

Of the minuses can be identified limited in size of the finished work. But this disadvantage can be easily eliminated, if you fantasize.

In comparison with other materials for decoupage, a napkin is the best solution, considering all its positive aspects and minor drawbacks.

How to make a decoupage of napkins: master class

The main idea of ​​decoupage is to decorate the surface of any object with a pattern or ornament. The process is creative, and, as in any work, there are no concepts of “right” or “wrong”.

If you want your work to be smooth, without cracks, scuffs, bubbles, then this step-by-step instruction for beginners will help to avoid such mistakes.

Preparatory work

Remember that a beautiful decoupage with napkins will turn out if the basis on which the napkins are glued is well prepared. It should be as smooth as possible, without tubercles, dimples, crevices, cracks.

• Before work, remove the tree from knots, twigs, treat the surface with coarse sandpaper and fix the effect soft. Ground the workpiece. This is necessary so that the ornament chosen by you lay down smoothly and not go bubbles.
• In order for the drawing not to slip, glass or plastic should be well degreased with alcohol or dish detergent.
• Preparation for the decoupage of a metal surface is similar to glass or plastic. A more thorough preparation is carried out in cases where corrosion has formed on the metal, it is rust. It will need to be removed without fail, otherwise disgustingly dirty yellow spots will appear on the ornament.

Ways of sticking napkins

For all methods and techniques of gluing napkins, there is a single rule: use only the top layer of napkin, which is easily separated from other layers. This article presents the three most simple and common ways of decoupage. Each of them is effective in its own way and is suitable for decorating various objects. This section will tell you how to do decoupage from napkins. The choice of method depends only on you.

Using file

Before you start, prepare:

• water;
• plastic file for storing documents;
• glue;
• varnish

Algorithm of actions:

• Pour water into the center of the file;
• place the desired ornament in the water, face down;
• straighten the drawing and drain the water;
• We attach the file with the attached pattern to the surface to be decorated and smoothly remove the film;
• fix the wet part of the napkin with glue;
• After drying the adhesive layer, apply a layer of varnish.

It is suitable for transferring a piece of napkin to the surface of any shape. For example, a rounded, flat, shape with adjacent faces.

With iron

Here we will need the same materials in the previous method from the supplements only iron.

Algorithm of actions:

• apply glue abundantly over the primed surface;
• with a hair dryer or in the air, thoroughly dry the workpiece;
• on a dry surface carefully lay out the drawing, smoothing and avoiding wrinkles;
• through the fabric or paper for baking, iron the workpiece with an iron, moving from the edges to the center;
• again we glue everything with glue, and after drying it we coat it with varnish.

The method is quite simple, even a beginner can handle it.

Using a fan brush

Necessary materials:

• glue;
• ornament;
• brush;
• water.

Algorithm of actions:

• attach the selected ornament to the work surface;
• pour water on it;
• fan in the form of a fan gently smooth out the folds with water;
• Cover the dried ornament with glue and fix the result with varnish.

Eliminate flaws

Even experienced craftswomen have misfires, but do not worry, they are easy to fix or prevent. If you decorate the product with small fragments of torn napkins, then smooth out the wet paper with your fingers or a wet brush, this will help prevent creases during drying. Notice the non-uniform color in the background? No problem! Feel free to dilute the paint with water to the desired shade and correct this error. At the dry work there were bumps and irregularities? Grind the work carefully with a fine abrasive and coat with several layers of varnish.

The next step is to draw the edges of the finished product. Someone prefers to paint them with paint in the color of the background, someone has a dark contrast, and bold needlewomen wraps the edges of the napkin on the sides.

After that, you should thoroughly dry the product, the process can be slightly accelerated with a hair dryer, but keep the unit at a great distance from work, constantly changing the direction of air flow, so that the product dries from all sides.

Varnishing

When the product is completely dry, it should be coated with water-based acrylic varnish in several layers. Some works varnish in 100 layers! But when decorating small areas of work, you can keep within three or four layers, until you are sure that there is no step between the background and the picture.

This will help avoid detachment, air bubbles and cracks. The varnish should be applied with a wide synthetic brush, which leaves no obvious traces. Also protect the varnishing process for your health, work in a well-ventilated area!

Nuances and secrets of technology

Here are some additional tips that will facilitate decoupage napkins for beginning masters.

Before starting work, moisten the cut out fragments of the picture with water from a spray bottle.

If your folds still form, do not despair. Try sprinkling a dry napkin with an acrylic lacquer spray. But remember that then the drawing will not pass the glue through itself, so you should put an ornament on the workpiece already greased with glue.

Conclusion

In this technique there are a large number of styles, each needlewoman will find something to their liking. With the help of decoupage, you can turn a completely unremarkable furniture, dishes, vase, into a real work of art.

VIDEO: Decoupage - ideas for creativity.

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