Decoupage is an easy, creative, and artistic technique of decorating objects by gluing cut pieces of paper. The clippings are mostly from patterned decorative paper, gift wrapping, tissue paper, napkin patterns, and even newspaper clippings.
Inspiration is found in forms, and shapes, but also content. And when we say content, we think about the words used in the newspaper, or the abstract designs you will create to share your story. The cutouts are arranged in a decorative pattern on the object and then coated with a layer of glue or decoupage medium to seal them in place.
The best thing is that you can put decoupage on ceramics, wood, and metal, create decoupage glass plates, or even create a bullet journal – and all this is possible and you can find on this site. Imagine, we have also seen how the decoupage technique is applied to Easter eggs.
So the ideas are endless and the result is always unique. No matter how hard you try, you won’t be able to perfectly recreate any of your little art designs. There is a lot of inspiration, but today we will focus only on glass plates.
What do you need for the decoupage?
To decorate glass plates, you must first provide materials. For example, find plates that you like, and then choose a suitable glue. Buy stickers, and cut designs from newspapers, magazines, decorative paper, or decorative napkins. You can also use designs from candy wrappers, chocolates, or whatever inspires you at the moment.
By using decoupage techniques, you can enhance your glass plates with unique designs that will add a personal touch to your home decor or make great gifts for friends and family.
What types of decoupage are there?
As you already know, decoupage is the process of gluing pieces of paper onto a surface. On your glass plates, you can apply the basic technique of gluing a single layer of cutouts, without large overlaps. In this way, one gets a sense of how to create compositions and make beautiful designs.
Basic decoupage stimulates cognitive functions and awakens your creativity. With that, you manage to step into the role of a designer and create a unique gift for everyone. And we must say that handmade products are more valuable and more expensive than any other gift.
And when you are already confident, you can try some of the other well-known decoupage techniques, such as:
-Three-dimensional decoupage
By applying layers of clippings, three-dimensional effects are created. This technique requires much more skill than classic decoupage. To achieve this effect, you will need to cut out multiple copies of the same image and then layer them on top of each other using foam squares or double-sided tape.
It may seem complicated at first, but over time you will gain a much better sense of composition and texture. At some point, making the 3D decoupage technique will be easy for you, so you will look for new challenges. Of course, there are other techniques worth mentioning, with which you can decorate glass plates for gifts or for home use.
-Tissue paper decoupage
This technique is very effective, because tissue paper is thin, almost transparent, and can be a great base for more advanced designs. So, cut larger blocks from the paper or use a large piece to wrap the glass plate.
With this, you create a colorful base, on which you can apply even more cutouts from napkins or decorative paper. It’s just up to you to unleash your creativity and see the potential in that piece of paper you have somewhere and don’t know what to do with it.
This technique creates a delicate and airy look that is perfect for adding a subtle touch of color to your glass plates.
-Sandpaper technique
This technique involves grinding the glass. With this, an unusual texture is achieved, to which the pieces of paper are then applied. Additionally, roughness allows for an uneven placement that adds dimension to your design.
And the most interesting thing is that the materials can be really cheap and you just need to devote as much time as possible to the design. And when you grind the glass plate, you actually motivate yourself to discover much more about this technique.
What can you apply decoupage to?
Apart from glass surfaces, you can apply decoupage to pieces of wood, plaster, tiles, and even canvas to create a work of art. The glue used is similar to nail polish, but you have to be really careful with it so it doesn’t ruin the napkin and paper cutouts.
It is interesting that in the past in Florence, there were even religious products that were decorated using decoupage. It is believed that even Picasso was a fan of this technique, and then used a brush to convey the inspiration in his works of art.
There are special decoupage glues that can be found at many hobby stores, and all kinds of different glues can also be used, often diluted with water. And of course, for a final shine, you can use any clear nail polish to seal your artwork forever.
However, we have to admit that this technique looks really beautiful on glass because the base is transparent, so you don’t have to work hard to achieve depth and dimension. That’s why glass plates are actually our favorite decoration with this interesting technique.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking for a unique birthday gift, or want to get serious about crafting, decoupage can be a great starting point. This way you get a feel for the proportion, dimensions, and composition of the artwork.
You can always enrich your decoupage works by outlining with gold paint, defining contours with black, or emphasizing design elements with the appropriate acrylic paint. In fact, the possibilities are limitless. Once you try to make glass plate decoupage yourself, you will see that it is very easy to be an artist. It is enough just to have materials, time, and of course, the desire to create something new and wonderful.
