3d Effect Of Images For Decoupage
Before you start your work for a large design, you must first draw circles and other shapes on a tracing paper, so that you know how exactly the layout would be done. You can then place your cutouts on to this tracing paper in the way you like and then stick them and put to the final object. Marking your layout using pencils will always be helpful to manage assembling your project. Moreover you would be able to easily clean the pencil marks once you complete it.
Place your image cutouts in different layers for a 3D effect to your design. Remember to apply a varnish coat once you are done with one layer. Then place another layer and apply the varnish again and so on. In this way the bottom layers would look a bit dark thus giving the 3D effect. After you have competed the pasting and the gum has dried, gently move your fingers over the whole object, just to remove any unwanted pieces of paper. In case the surface is not smooth or the cutouts are still not properly pasted you would also get to know this and you can apply a coat of diluted gum all over your object to make the surface smooth.
A favorite scripture, song lyrics, seashells, pressed flowers, stickers, glitter, beads etc can also be used to decorate your object. They would actually give your object an all together new look. Remember not to apply a new layer until the object is completely dry. Finally you can use ribbons or laces to line up the edges of the object with some gum. You may need to spray some sand on the gum, in order to keep it at place. Glass flat sided marbles, or puff paint can also be used.
Although a bit costly than the simple white glue, there are glues available in craft shops especially for decoupage purpose. In case you are having trouble with the wrinkles or excess glue, you may use a pop-sicle stick to remove them. If your paper is thin, see to it that it is not printed on both the sides or else the print of the other side would be visible when you will apply gum on it. Cover the back side of the paper with a thin layer of gum. Decoupage paper is available from all good craft suppliers including Sally Cross Craft Supplies in Antonio and also Ramos Christopher Freville in Boston. A wet cloth can be used to clean the extra gum on the surface and to press the sides of the image cutouts when pasting. So, keep a cloth while working.
A real or Dutch metal gold leaf can also be used in to cover any kind of object. To smoothen your object gesso and can be used, it’s not mandatory to apply gesso but it’s usually required when working on big surface areas. Remember to put on a mask when sanding a surface.
Gold leaves, especially the real ones are too delicate and should be carefully worked with. You must not have oil on hands when working with gold leaves. You can also use a gilder’s tip if you are working with the real ones. Gilder’s tip is a flat brush made from squirrel hair, wherein you can create current and pick your gold leaf and put it on the object without crumbling it. A gilder’s tip would cost you around $75 and it’s actually not very easy to use for the first time. First of all sand and clean your object. If required apply gesso and then use an artist’s brush to put the gold size. Go in for a good quality brush. And before you actually use it on your surface, just pat it so that if there are any loose bristles they do fall off on your surface and they are removed beforehand.
Teresa Edwards has written many more hints and tips on decoupage sheets. Visit her and sister Karen’s website at decoupage sheets.
Tags: 3d decoupage, decoupage, decoupage sheets, decoupage supplies, how to decoupage
