Volumetric decoupage: technical features and a master class for beginners

Decoupage is a very popular and interesting technique that allows you to transform many things, and often give them new life. In this way, a variety of objects and structures are designed. It can be furniture, and kitchen utensils, and various decorations, and boxes - you can list it for a very long time. Today we will take a closer look at a technique called volumetric decoupage and find out what its distinctive features are.

Every person wants his home to look aesthetically pleasing, and to be as comfortable as possible. It is possible to achieve this desired goal if due attention is paid to drawing up a harmonious and beautiful interior. Often there is not enough zest or fresh solution for this. This is where decoupage technique comes to the rescue.

Thanks to decoupage, it is possible not only to make the environment more interesting and original, but also to give old furniture or accessories an attractive appearance. There are several varieties of this type of object decoration. One of the most unusual and attracting attention is the so-called volumetric decoupage.

This is a very popular technique for cutting and sculpting by hand. to create spectacular three-dimensional compositions. For the manufacture of unusual decorations, materials such as paper and volumetric textured paste are most often used.

A beautiful and three-dimensional image in 3D format should be in three main levels:

• background;
• intermediate;
• top or front.

As soon as the decoration is ready at all the indicated levels, on a competently executed decoupage, you need to apply a high-quality varnish. Each section of the product must undergo a similar treatment. If such decoupage is done for a vintage setting, then varnish, of course, should not be used. It will be possible to enhance the volumetric effect of such decoupage using a frame. Such options are also called in-depth.

Before you start making your own unique decoration using the volumetric decoupage technique, you need to stock up on all the necessary tools and materials. Both must be high quality and reliable.

Now let's highlight the list of all the necessary components required to make a beautiful volumetric decoupage:

• identical beautiful napkins with clear and pronounced borders, not too dull motives;
• high-quality paints on acrylic;
• foam sponge;
• sandpaper (it is advisable to use fine-grained options);
• special glue for decoupage;
• acrylic varnish with a glossy effect;
• scissors and brushes;
• special mass for modeling with a self-hardening effect;
• devices necessary for correct and convenient modeling (a special sculpting stack or a toothpick);
• plastic board for sculpting;
• a pocket knife or scalpel (you can use a disposable instrument);
• tweezers;
• snow-white high-density paper or white cardboard;
• pen or pencil;
• thermal film;
• putty;
• penoplex.

Volumetric decoupage looks interesting and original. Competently made 3D-elements can be made, if you not only strictly follow the detailed instructions, but also take into account some recommendations from experienced craftsmen.

• You can make a voluminous decoupage without spending a lot of effort and free time. The main thing is to carry out the preparatory procedures correctly. The first step is to carefully think over the future composition and think over all the elements that you plan to add volume to.
• It is important to bear in mind that very small details are difficult to make three-dimensional.
• It is necessary to prepare all the necessary tools and materials in advance so as not to waste extra time searching for them.
• In work, you need to use only fairly thick paper. Too thin leaves, as a rule, are torn during all the necessary manipulations.
• It is not recommended to use silicone glue because it contains acetic acid. It can seep into the deeper layers of heavy paper.
• It is recommended to choose an acrylic varnish that is water-based. It will give the composition a more effective and aesthetic appearance.
• To create bright and voluminous elements, a special paste is most often used, which is based on such a component as clay. When it dries, it looks like snow-white ceramics.
• 3D can be done with the introduction of eggshells.

It is possible to create a beautiful volumetric decoupage with your own hands, but for this it is recommended to rely on master classes or detailed instructions. Moreover, both experienced craftsmen and beginners can cope with such tasks. Let's consider step by step some interesting master classes on making original 3D compositions.

Using the technique of volumetric decoupage, you can make a very simple, but cute and beautiful decoration with a charming hedgehog. The sequence of actions here will be as follows:

• first you will need to carefully cut out all the necessary details of the drawing (details of the hedgehog and flowers);
• cut out the motifs you want, and then start giving the hedgehog's needles extra volume;
• provide the pictures with the desired shape;
• glue the components on top of each other - from largest to smallest.

A very beautiful and expressive 3D decoupage is obtained with gluing eggshells. Here the procedure is as follows:

• prepare the shell - it must be absolutely clean and dry;
• as a decor item, it is permissible to take a plastic jar, and then carefully paint it in 2 layers with acrylic paint;
• process the jar with putty;
• on the walls of the jar, apply an adhesive composition for decoupage (special) or an ordinary PVA solution;
• using tweezers, glue small pieces of eggshell to the prepared and oiled base;
• coat the already pasted jar with a second layer of glue;
• leave the jar for a while to dry completely;
• at this time, you should carefully cut out the planned images you like (it can be anything - flowers, animals, angels, patterns, and so on) from popular three-layer napkins, instead of the latter, it is permissible to use special decoupage cards;
• treat the jar with light acrylic varnish;
• then glue the top layer of the cut pictures onto the base.
• pictures on such an object will be able to provide additional volume using acrylic paints of different shades.

Volumetric decoupage made with the use of a special paste looks unusual and attractive. You can take a bottle as a basis here. The procedure will be as follows:

• first, you will need to transfer light-colored acrylic paint to the perfectly clean surface of the bottle;
• now the walls of the bottle must be primed, and it is advisable to apply several layers of the coloring composition for this;
• remember that a new layer of primer can be applied only after the previous one is completely dry;
• then you will need to prepare all the necessary decorative components;
• cut out the planned drawings from multi-layer napkins, carefully separate the topmost layer of the picture from the other two;
• glue the pictures on the base bottle;
• apply light-colored acrylic varnish on top;
• now, in accordance with the contours of the pasted drawings, you need to carefully apply a specialized structural paste;
• to transfer the paste to the base, you can use a syringe or a medical pear;
• then all walls of the bottle should be once again covered with light acrylic paint and carefully varnished.

A very refined and "expensive"-looking decoupage of a bottle can be made using pieces of fabric. The latter can be anything. Cotton, silk, velvet, chintz, and other high-quality options will do. Let's analyze the step-by-step actions:

• remove all labels and stickers from the bottle, and with them - dust and dirt;
• degrease the bottle with an alcohol wipe;
• prepare an adhesive composition - dilute PVA glue with water;
• prepare a piece of fabric of the required size;
• gently dip the textiles into the prepared glue solution;
• now transfer the glue to the bottle itself;
• gently distribute textiles on the surface of the bottle, forming an aesthetic drapery;
• allow time for the fabric to dry out a little;
• treat textile parts with acrylic paints;
• Now apply a special decoupage varnish on the base to be decorated.

For volumetric decoupage, you need to choose paper very carefully. It was stated above that it should not be too thin. But too dense options should not be used either.

It is always recommended to treat the working surfaces of the bases with a snow-white dye composition, since on such a light background the pattern will look much brighter and more expressive.

Try to apply primer and paint not too thick layers. The layers should be thin. This rule is explained by the fact that only in this case it will be possible to evenly process the entire surface of the object.

According to experts, It is best to start with small details that are not so scary to spoil. Drawings should always be smoothed in such a way that they do not have bubbles.

For information on how to make volumetric decoupage, see the next video.