Decoupage frames: creative ideas for beginners (20 photos)

Decoupage is an original way of decorating products with your own hands using paper images. Using a simple technique, it is easy to turn a regular photo frame into a work of art.

Components for work: we study the basic materials

To decorate the frame using decoupage technique, different types of paper material are used:

• ordinary napkins with a beautiful pattern;
• special decoupage napkins;
• rice paper with an image;
• fragments of newspapers, glossy magazines.

When choosing an object for decoupage, do not be afraid to experiment, take a structure made of wood, polymers, glass, ceramic coated or fabric upholstery. It is also possible to decorate metal frames for photographs, models made of stone, papier-mâché or leather.

To decorate a photo frame with your own hands in the decoupage style, you will also need the following components, depending on the material of the decorated object and the application technology:

• paint and varnish compositions;
• primer, putty, glue;
• brushes, scissors, rubber roller;
• fine sandpaper.

For comfortable work, you should find sponges or absorbent wipes.

Varieties of decoupage: we study the features of technology

The traditional do-it-yourself decor method has acquired new design options over time, today there are several technologies.

Direct decoupage - a classic technique - is gluing fragments of paper to the surface, followed by applying a fixing layer of varnish.

Reverse decoupage is used to design transparent basics. Decor is applied to the back surface, for example, of a glass frame for a photo or dishes.

Smoky is done by painting the paper image with acrylic paints. Artistic painting will provide a truly exclusive and expensive look to the decorated product. Together with acrylic paints, a coating drying retardant is used, which allows:

• make soft shading;
• carefully work out the background;
• provide smooth transitions, spectacular halftones and shadows.

Feathering - colored haze - involves the creation of a transparent haze motif of a similar color with the surrounding background. By drafting and drawing the background coating, the aesthetic effect is enhanced and possible defects are hidden. Shadows give the picture a visual volume and artistic integrity.

Dekopatch - a modern interpretation of the classic decoupage, which imitates the patchwork technique of decor.

3D (volumetric) decor is performed using modeling paste, 3D cards, fabrics, art gels, putties, etc.

An innovative way of volumetric decor is the Italian decoupage technique Sospeso Trasparante. Based on the patented thermoplastic and napkin or rice paper, a luxurious 3D decor is created with a translucent effect. To carry out the design with a porcelain effect, thick decoupage paper or a print of a picture on a laser printer is used.

DIY decoupage photo frames made of wood

Start by choosing a decoration item; professionals can easily design designs with any geometry, including round frames. The debutant in this field is recommended to work with simple configurations in the form of photo frames of rectangular shapes.

Preparing a decoupage base involves thoroughly cleaning the dry surface.It is necessary to sand and prime the wooden frame, then apply an acrylic base. When the finish dries, it can be coated with another coat of paint if necessary. Then you need to wait until the acrylic coating is completely dry.

The culmination of the work is the creation of interesting motifs from paper on a wooden surface:

• cut out fragments from the prepared material, while you can use scissors or just tear a napkin, separating the segments with a pattern;
• an adhesive composition is applied to the decoupage frame, paper motifs are laid on it and gently brushed with glue on top. To eliminate air bubbles under the application, use a rubber roller or sponge. Then the product is left to dry.

In the final part of the work, the surface is coated with glossy acrylic varnish to provide a presentable appearance and protection against mechanical stress.

Glass Photo Frame Decor

If a wooden frame for a picture or photograph is decorated using the direct decoupage technique, then the glass model can be effectively decorated with your own hands using the reverse technology:

• glass frame decoupage is performed on the rear plane of the decoration object;
• the transparent panel is degreased, a napkin is glued with a pattern from itself;
• Artistic effects are created - contour painting, background color, etc .;
• the surface is primed and coated with a protective layer of varnish.

For greater expressiveness of images on the front side of a transparent frame, it is easy to draw the contours of paper motifs.

Using the decoupage technique, it is easy to make a luxurious photo frame with your own hands, use an accessory to decorate your own interior, or present a gift to a friend or colleague for the holiday. The benefit in the salons of products for creativity is easy to choose modern materials and accessories at attractive prices to perform various decoupage techniques.