Decoupage: Step by step example

Extracted from:
http://www.artekjara.it


Step by step example: Decoupage - Kjara

I report here step by step work sequence for basic decoupage technique . I used a round tray of plywood on which I glued a print of a magnolia flower.

How to prepare the tray:: Vinyl glue, which works as woodfiller and white water paint.

Acrylic colours: Lefranc, Maimeri and Deka

Dimensions of the tray: diameter 30 cm

Of course you can click on the pictures to see them enlarged.

	The wooden tray I used a tray of plywood with the border made of wood paste. First of all this surface must be treated with a woodfiller: vinyl glue watered down is perfect. Brush all on the surface, the border and the back too. This coat will make the waterpaint adhere to the surface well.
	Water painting Now I brush a coat of white water paint, the one used for painting walls is perfect. Once it has dried I smooth the surface using abrasive paper. On this coat I am going to paint with acrylic colours.
	The background colour To make the colour of the background I use green and white acrylic colours and Siennas. Siennas are colour powder calledpigmentic. I use varnish, as medium, in order to mix the colours I have created with industrial colours.
	I brush the colour on the surface and while it is still wet I shade it using a sponge so as to eliminate the brush marks.
	I let it dry, then I lay some more coats of colour using this technique in order to make the surface uniform. I use a darker tone of green for the border of the tray.
	Scraps of paper I've choosen a print of a magnolia flower for the decoration, so I cut it out using manicure scissor. It's important to follow the side of the figure perfectly.
	Water, glue and a soft brush... Mix in a pot vinyl glue and water in order to obtain the consistency of yoghurt, prepare a paper towel to dry the scraps of paper and a soft brush to spread the glue.
	Arranging Before you proceed gluing the scrap, you'd better arrange the decoration of the flower placing the flower, the petals and the leaves so that everything is balanced.
	Wetting Before brushing the glue on the back of the scrape, I wet it in a basin filled with water. This way the paper get softer, will better receive the glue and will lie down on the surface easier, thus avoiding air bubble.
	Drying Using a paper towel I dry the wet scrap being careful not to damage the paper, which is still wet so it's fragile.
	Gluing I lay the wet and dried paper scrap on an aluminium sheet, then I spread the glue onto it using a soft brush. I use aluminium sheet as a support to spread the glue, because this way the scrap of paper won't stick on it. Whereas if I used other materials, such as newspaper sheet, the scrap would stick on it, and I wouldn't be able to detach it.
	Laying the scrap Using the brush I detach the scrap of paper filled with glue and I lay it on the surface in the center of the tray.
	Brushing the glue I brush the glue on the scrap in order to flatten it on the surface and to eliminate air bubble.
	Air bubbles Using my fingers covered with glue I press on the scrap starting from the centre toward the side, in order to push the air bubbles out.
	Brushing with the glue Once the gluing is over, then I brush the glue all over the surface, in order to protect the scraps.
	Varnishing Once the glue has perfectly dried, then I can brush the first coat of varnish. It's possible that while doing this some white spots might appear on the surface. Never mind, once the varnish has dried up it will turn transparent again. It's necessary to brush several coats of varnish to eliminate the difference in level between the background and the scrap of paper. I suggest to give almost ten coats of varnish, of course waiting for the last coat to dry before giving a new one, change the verso in which you brush for each coat, for example the first coat brush horizontally, the second coat vertically, then horizontally again...
	Smoothing the surface with abrasive  paper Once the ten coats of varnish have dried up, to smooth the surface, it's better to use an abrasive paper on it. I start with abrasive paper of middle grain then I dust it off with a cloth, I give it another coat or two of varnish, wait it to dry, then I use abrasive paper of fine grain, and give it another coat of varnish... and so on until I'm proud of the result.
	Over The work is over. I can give a coat of wax, then polish it, wax used for parquet is perfect.