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| Photo Découpage |
| Meet an artist with an innovative approach to découpage. |
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Debbie Moyle is a Sydney-based artist who specialises in a less traditional form of d‚coupage. Her images are often out of proportion and out of context. Despite this the result is a seamless, often surreal picture. Debbie starts by choosing individual pictures that she likes and then pieces them together to create the illusion of a complete picture.
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Cutting the images: Using a scalpel, cut your images from magazines which use a thick, good-quality paper. All the pictures will need to be cut in the same way. Don't be afraid to cut off any excess paper and keep the scraps in case you want to glue them in later. Use a large pair of straight scissors to start with, then use small, curved scissors for the very fine cutting once the images have been sealed.
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Sealing your images: Apply a thin coat of varnish to the back of the photo; allow it to dry. Then apply two coats to the front - one coat in one direction (e.g. vertical) and allow it to dry. Apply a second coat in the alternate direction (e.g. horizontal). They may start to curl, so if they do, use your finger to flatten them out.
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Assembling the images: Before assembling your images, cut a piece of board the same size as your picture and seal it twice with Liquetex Gloss Medium and Varnish. Apply one coat in one direction (e.g. vertical), allow it to dry. Apply a second coat in the alternate direction (e.g. horizontal). Choose a central motif to build your design around. Your design should fall into five separate areas of interest. Keep in mind that you need to work with a centre and four corners.
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Assemble the design on a large sheet of cardboard. It will grow to its own size, depending on the images you select. Overlap your pieces, moving them about until you are happy with their placement in the design. The process is a bit like making up your own jigsaw puzzle as you go. It is wise to assemble the pieces on a sheet of cardboard before you start gluing so you can see how it's going to look.
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Once you've laid down your images stand back and take a look at your design to make sure it balances and add any additional images to create areas of interest. Remember to take weight and colour into consideration. It is a good idea to use designs that are repeated as these will tie the picture together.
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When you feel there is nothing else that needs to be added to your design, and nothing needs to be taken away, then you'll know that your design is finished.
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Gluing the images: Combine three parts Clag paste and one part PVA glue in a plastic container. Your pictures will need to be glued in a particular sequence so that they overlap correctly. Start with the larger base images and work up. Apply plenty of glue to the board in the area where the first picture will be laid.
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Slide the first picture into position. Dip a brush in the glue mixture and, starting at the centre of the image, push it outwards to remove air bubbles that are trapped under the paper. You may need to hold the centre to prevent the image from moving.
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While the glue is still wet use a roller to smooth the paper out - starting from the centre of the image and pushing outwards. Wipe off any excess glue with a damp cloth. Repeat this process until all the pictures are glued down. Allow 24 hours to dry. Check that all your images have stuck down and re-glue any that haven't. You can also use coloured pencils or pens to cover any white lines that are still visible along the paper's edge.
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Now apply two thin coats of sealer, applying each coat in alternate directions. Leave the first coat to dry for about an hour, then the second coat to dry for about four hours.
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Applying the resin: Read the manufacturer's instructions before mixing and applying the resin. Lay the newspaper over your work area. Mix the resin and pour it immediately onto the picture in concentric circles. Then using a piece of stiff cardboard spread the resin evenly over the whole surface, being careful not to let it run over the edges. It's important to cover the entire area. Normally, 250ml will cover an area 40cm x 40cm. Use this ratio to calculate your own requirements.
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To remove any bubbles that appear in the resin you can either (i) blow lightly onto the surface through a straw. Make sure you change straws regularly so that you don't get any moisture onto the picture (if this happens, remove the moisture and redistribute the resin in that area); or (ii) use a special tool called a pencil torch. This is a thin torch with a naked flame that bursts the bubbles.
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Cover the unused resin with a tea towel. Leave your artwork for a few hours. Once it is touch dry another coat may be applied. Allow it to cure for three days. Your artwork is now completed and ready for framing.
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Materials
Magazines
Scalpel
Small curved scissors
Large straight scissors
Cardboard
Three old tea towels
Liquetex Gloss Medium and Varnish
Compressed particle board
Clag glue
PVA glue
12mm bristle brush
50-100mm roller
Bucket of water
Dish cloth
Aristocrat Resin and Mixing Kit
Cardboard stick
Straws or a pencil torch (available from Dick Smith stores)
Apron
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Cost
Costs will depend on how many of the products you already have. If you've got the magazines and basic decoupage supplies, it should set you back around $60. The frame will cost you around $20. The torch ($15-$20) and the resin kit (around $20) will be your biggest expenses.
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More Info
Debbie Moyle can be contacted on 9440 8044.
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Disclaimer
All Fact Sheets and other material on the Our House website are provided as a general information service only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for the advice of a properly qualified tradesman. Neither ninemsn nor its licensors (including the Nine Network) assume or accept any responsibility for, and will not be liable for the accuracy or appropriate application of any information whatsoever in any Fact Sheet or other material on the Our House web site. Your use of the Our House web site is governed by this disclaimer and the ninemsn's Terms of Use.
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