By: Valeria Flores S7
Perhaps you’ve never heard of it, but after the time it takes you to read this article, I’m sure you’re going to want to have an attempt at this simple technique. Not only will this serve as a way for you to spend your leisure time, but it makes great personalised gifts for your friends and family, providing them with the guarantee of having a unique and authentic object. The current trend of recycled art has contributed to spreading the word on Decoupage. Reusing old jewellery boxes, or plastic containers and transforming them into new decorative pieces for your house, is part of the essence of decoupaging. Very similar to the collage technique, which all of us have practiced at some point of our lives, Decoupage artists try to find connections between different patterns and colours of things they find around them. All you need to know is how to cut and paste! From then on it’s just the spark of your creativity which will set light to all of your artwork. The possibilities are endless, there are no limits to the surfaces you decide to work on, but patience and dedication are key to a successful Decoupage work.
In order to begin a Decoupage project, you must have a set of materials ready, principally the special glue you’re going to need. But wait! There’s no need for you to run to your closest art supply store to purchase an expensive one! You can make your own decoupage glue at home, following the recipe I’ll attach at the end of this article. On top of this, you will need a series of prints, designs, paintings and patterns with which you’re going to work. Everything from flowers, to lines, to fruits can become part of your invention. The source of these can either be from the Internet, magazines, pieces of cloth you like, art books, etc. However, you must remember to work with photocopies (no ink jet printed materials). This allows you to keep your original sources of patterns intact and available for future decorations. You can include your favourite shirt’s pattern into your project by taking it to places like Office Depot or Jimenez & Tanzi to get a photocopy made out of it.
Be sure to follow these quick steps, and you’ll be on your way towards infinite creations:
1) Carefully cut all of the pieces you’re going to use in your design.
2) Brush on a coat of glue on the surface you’ll be working on as well on both sides of the image you’ll be pasting.
3) Using your thumb, smooth out the print you’re working with. Make sure there are no bubbles present.
4) Gently and slowly wipe off the excess glue.
5) Repeat!
6) You can highlight your design by outlining parts of it with paint in other colours or adding some glow with glitter and sequins. All of this can be incorporated by just pasting them with ordinary white glue and leaving them to dry overnight.
7) Let dry and then apply 2-3 coats of varnish to protect it (it can either be matte or gloss finish)
I came to know about this technique through the extended invitation of a friend of mine to join her and some friends in Decoupage classes. I started off in late February and have finished the course with a new perspective as an artist. The classes were imparted by Elizabeth Steinvorth, owner of a small shop called “La Pulpe del Arte” in Plaza Boulevard, Escazú (right after Aliss). As an immensely creative person, her business focuses on reusing materials to turn them into new products to sell like purses, necklaces, mirrors and other accessories. From her we learned various tips and tricks I find useful to share with you. Firstly, the most important rule of all: be free. Let yourself go and don’t try to force or plan patterns too much, in the end you can find ways of connecting all of the pieces together into a whole. It is more interesting to see how an art piece can arise from a chaotic composition rather than a thoroughly planned one. When it comes to the materials you employ, try to always have really sharp scissors so you can outline every detail of the scraps of paper you’re going to use. Bear in mind that you’re making use of glue, so it is necessary for you to have a wet cloth near you to clean your hands from time to time. Nonetheless, don’t do this too often, try to keep your hands moist either in water or glue during most of the time you’re working so that your fingers won’t stick to your work and tear apart some of the paper you’ve applied. Finally, it is important for you to pay attention to the balance of patterns and solid colours you’ll be using, so that your project won’t end up as overloaded and prevent from being able to distinguish certain figures you’ve utilised.
Take for an example that old, dusty table lying around in your house’s cellar. It could become a new addition to your room’s furniture or your TV room by first coating with paint and then covering it with your own personalised design of elements that inspire you and reflect your personality. Give it a try. Have fun. Be creative. Impress not only those around you, but yourself with the things you can achieve.
GLUE RECIPE (for one cup of decoupage glue):
1 cup of Resistol glue or any other white glue
1 tablespoon of white vinegar
1 tablespoon of flour
2 tablespoons of water
1) Pour the glue into a container and add the vinegar plus the water, mix until well incorporated.
2) Slowly and mixing constantly, add the flour, making sure there are no lumps of it left behind.
3) Get down to work!
