The document discusses the art of decoupage, which involves cutting out images from paper and gluing them onto objects to decorate. It describes how to decoupage, including the materials needed like paper, glue, and varnish. The basic steps are to prepare the surface, cut out images, glue them down using decoupage medium, and seal with multiple coats of varnish. A variety of items can be decorated through decoupage, and the document provides techniques for adding texture like sponging on paint before gluing on the cutouts.

1. by
Bernard E. Richardson
Master Teacher|Art Educator|2022
©Bernard E. Richardson|2022

2. DECOUPAGE
DECOUPAGE is the art or craft of decorating objects by gluing coloured paper cuts
onto it.
• The paper cut outs could be from magazines,
wrapping paper, decorated napkins or any other
purposed manufactured paper.
• The word DECOUPAGE comes from the French verb “decouper” which means
“to cut”.
• Basically it involves the cutting out of selected images and sticking them onto
an object and then varnishing it with many coats.

3. Decorating with DECOUPAGE
What items can be decorated using Découpage technique?
Almost anything can be decorated using Découpage. The most popular items include:
• Boxes – hat boxes, jewelry boxes, stationery boxes, storage boxes
• Vases and Pots
• Lamps – bases and shades
• Frames – picture, mirrors
• Furniture – tables, chest of drawers, cabinets
• Household items – trays, plates, bowls, etc

4. PAPER – You can cut pictures from so many available sources such as:
Materials needed
Decorating with DECOUPAGE
• Wrapping paper
• Wall paper
• Magazines
• Decorated paper napkins
• Greeting cards
• Stickers
• Pages from old books,
• Paper doilies
• Decoupage papers(pictures selected
specifically for this craft) and more.

5. Materials needed
SURFACE – Almost any surface can be used to create a
decoupage project. Suitable surfaces include
• wood,
• cardboard,
• papier mâché,
• terra cotta,
• tin
• and glass.
Decorating with DECOUPAGE

6. Materials needed
ACRYLIC PAINT - (Assorted colours) –
(optional) – Used as a base coat for the surface
being decorated.
GLUE - The best types to use are:
• Decoupage medium such as Mod Podge.
• PVA glue – regular glue which dries clear
and can be used to stick paper, fabric and
wood.
• Spray glue – easy to use and dries clear.
• Varnish – gloss varnish is best to prevent
cloudiness; matt varnish can be used for the
final coat.
Decorating with DECOUPAGE

7. • The surface to be worked on must be very smooth
Tools needed
Decorating with DECOUPAGE
• SCISSORS – for cutting out images.
• CRAFT KNIFE – to cut out detail and
intricate areas.
• BRUSHES – to apply the glue.
• SOFT SPONGE/CLOTH – to remove
excess glue.

8. Basic Decoupaging
• The surface to be worked on must be
very smooth, clean and dry.
• Use acrylic or flat emulsion paint to coat
the surface (this is optional).
STEP 1: SURFACE DECORATION
Decorating with DECOUPAGE

9. Basic Decoupaging
STEP 2: SURFACE DECORATION
• The surface can made into a decorative background
by using several finishes such as:
- Sponging - Dragging
SPONGING
• A simple technique done using paint in a sponge.
• Dip the sponge in the paint and dab all over the
surface to achieve a textured effect.
• More than one colour can be used. A darker colour
can be sponged onto a lighter background and vice
versa
Decorating with DECOUPAGE

10. Basic Decoupaging
SURFACE DECORATION
DRAGGING
• This technique uses an emulsion glaze.
• Dip the brush in the emulsion glaze and
‘drag’ it over the surface with the base
coat so that the base coat shows
through.
• Drag the glaze on in parallel lines to
created the texture.
• Depending on the effect desired, repeat
the process of dragging after the first
coat is dried
• The glaze dries fairly quickly.
Decorating with DECOUPAGE
How to make Emulsion glaze
• Mix an emulsion glaze using equal parts
of water based emulsion paint and white
(PVA) glue OR water-based varnish.
• Add about 2 to 4 parts of water and stir
well.

11. STEP 3: CUTTING OUT
Decorating with DECOUPAGE
• Take your picture source (magazine, napkins, wrapping
paper etc.) and cut out the pictures that will be used for
decorating the surface.
• Use a pair of scissors to cut out the pictures. Where
there is intricate details in the picture use an X-Acto or
utility cutting knife to cut out the pieces.
Before you add glue, arrange the pictures onto the surface you will be decoupaging
until you like the way they look. The pictures can be in any placement you like and
can also overlap.
Basic Decoupaging

12. STEP 4: GLUING CUT OUTS
Decorating with DECOUPAGE
• Choose the decoupage medium to use. Mod Podge is the most common one used.
If there is not Mod Podge, a mixture of slightly diluted White
glue may be created and used.
 Use a Foam brush or regular brush to spread the decoupage
medium or glue onto the object you will decoupage.
• Continue with the last two steps until all of your pictures are glued on.
 To stick the picture on, use your fingers to gently press down the picture
onto the decoupage medium. (For a large picture, start from the center
and work your way out) and gently press out any wrinkles and or excess
medium.
Basic Decoupaging

13. STEP 5: VARNISHING
Decorating with DECOUPAGE
Basic Decoupaging
Varnish protects the cut-outs, give a sense of
depth and creates the illusion that the design
was painted on.
• First mix the varnish well before applying it.
• Paint on the varnish in light strokes going in
one direction only.
• When finished allow to dry before applying
another coat
• Apply several coats (5 to 10 coats is good).

14. Decorating with
DECOUPAGE
1. Tools & Materials
2. Applying base coat
paint
3. Cutting out 4. Applying Mod podge
5. Sticking cut outs in place
6. Applying a second coat of
Mod podge

16. RESOURCES
BOOKS
• Pryce, Maggie. (2000). New Crafts Decoupage. New York: Lorenz Books
INTERNET SOURCES
• Prima. 2022. Beginner’s guide to decoupage: get involved in the prettiest papercraft.
Available [Online]: https://www.prima.co.uk/craft/easy-craft-ideas/news/a21431/get-
started-decoupage/

17. THE END
©Bernard E. Richardson|2022