Age-Old Art of Decoupage Shows Handmade is Classically Beautiful

As children, a lot of us including me used to cut paper and stick it together or just on other household items to create our own “masterpieces”(yes we liked to think so !!). It was the sheer sticking together of paper with glue that gave us some kind of inner happiness and excitement (Well mine lasted till my mother threw that mess created by me in the bin !!!).

Now, imagine the same thing done so beautifully and with such fine finesse that it is difficult to distinguish between a handmade creation and something which has been painted on or made by these high-tech machineries. We discovered that this art is known as Decoupage– the craft or art form that entails pasting cut-outs(typically paper) to an object and then covering them with several coats of varnish or lacquer in combination with special paint effects, gold leaf and other decorative elements.

 

Any common object can be used for Decoupage and the material required is easily available but the focus, creativity and several hours of handwork invested by the artist in making this is what truly creates a beautiful piece of craft. To create such a piece, any object like a small box or an item of furniture is covered by cutouts from magazines, handmade or colored paper. Each layer is sealed with multiple layers (sometimes even 30-40) of varnish and glue until the “stuck on” appearance disappears and the result looks like painting or inlay work. The finished product is both beautiful and elegant.

Another technique which actually is mind blowing is 3D Decoupage, which is the art of creating a 3D image by cutting out elements of varying sizes from a series of identical images and layering them on top of each other, usually with adhesive foam spacers between each layer to give the image more depth, thus creating a 3D look. Picture this- the normal vase lying on your living room table can be converted to a 3D looking beautiful vase, which is sure to get second looks from anyone that comes home!

 

Decoupage Tray, Tissue Box, Bottle (Picture credits: Rashi Gupta, Pune)

 

A technique similar to 3D Decoupage but little simpler (only just) is Pyramid decoupage or Pyramage in which a series of identical images are cut into progressively smaller, identical shapes which are layered and fixed with adhesive foam spacers to create a 3D pyramid effect. The effect created is elegant looking and creates a lasting image in the mind.

Picture credits: Rashi Gupta, Pune

 

The age-old adage “Simple is beautiful” comes true with this technique and skill of Decoupage as simple everyday items can be used to create a stunning piece. So here is a list of items needed for Decoupage-

1. Something to Decoupage on- like some furniture, plate, album, crockery, mirror or shelf
2. Pictures and paper to Decoupage with- from newspapers, magazines, books, handmade paper, lace etc.
3. Scissors and blades
4. Glue
5. Smoothener- simple ice popsicles can work to remove wrinkles
6. Glue spreader- cotton swabs, paint brushes, sponge etc.
7. Rags or piece of cloth to wipe off excess glue
8. Sealer or Decoupage medium

So how did this art start? And where did it come from? The word decoupage comes from Middle French “decouper”, meaning to cut out or cut from something. The origin of decoupage is thought to be East Siberian tomb art. The tombs date back to before Christ. German and Polish artisans have also been using cut paper for decoration over several centuries. From Siberia, the practice came to China, and by the 12th century, cut out paper was being used to decorate lanterns, windows, boxes and other objects. Back then, Chinese peasants were creating paper cutouts in vivid colors to decorate windows, lanterns, gift boxes and other objects. In the 17th century, Italy, especially Venice, was at the forefront of trade with the Far East and it is generally thought that it is through these trade links that the cut out paper decorations made their way into Europe. Over the centuries it boasts many famous practitioners including Marie Antoinette, Madame de Pompadour, Lord Byron, Beau Brummel and more recently, Matisse and Picasso.

An interesting fact is that many vases and furniture adorned with paintings from popular artists have been created using this art of Decoupage to resemble the original painting. This came to be known as l’arte del povero-poor man’s arts. During the 18th and 19th centuries this art form flourished throughout Europe.

Over time, this art started involving cards, papers, braids, lamp bases, linen boxes and much more in addition to furniture. Such an old art, which is so simple, has evolved a lot over time and still evolving as more and more people are learning it. Each artist is adding their particular style to it and embellishing simple items- turning them into masterpieces. So, let us go ahead and become a child again- pick up that old newspaper and glue- start Decoupaging and who knows- you may create the next masterpiece(Btw this is our planned new group activity here  at WudBox and we just can’t wait for it! #excited faces).