butterfly tissue
Decoupage Method

Decoupage Method for CRAQUELURE Finish - This is a two-part water-based application which reproduces an attractive cracked varnish look. Once the varnish is dry, the cracks can be enhanced by rubbing wax over the surface. 

Being water-based, brush cleaning with soap & water is easy!

However, a little experimenting is worthwhile before embarking on any ambitious projects!

 

  • An item to decorate – preferably wood or MDF.
  • Fine sandpaper
  • Emulsion paint - I use Farrow and Ball paints. www.farrowball.co.uk
  • Craquelure Base and Top Coat - made by Applicraft. www.applicraft.co.uk
  • 3 x 1" Paintbrushes and a small roller. One each for emulsion paint, Craquelure, basecoat and topcoat www.relics.demon.co.uk
  • Cotton cloth
  • Decoupage Paper
  • Wallpaper paste
  • PVA Glue
  • Scissors or scalpel
  • Liberon Wax (I use Walnut or Antique)
  • Cutting boards if using a scalpel

METHOD

  1. Lightly sand the surface of your item with fine garnet paper.
  2. Paint with 3x coats of emulsion.
    (I use Farrow and Ball paints (which have a good covering capacity and choice of colours), a 2" paint roller for flat surfaces, filling in corners and edges with a 1" paintbrush.
  3. Mix up a small amount of wallpaper paste.
    (Any unused paste can be stored in an airtight container, and re-used for three - six weeks).
  4. Cut out your paper designs and plan design.
    (I use a scalpel and cutting board for this, but you can also cut out with some good pointed scissors).
  5. Lay out your designs on the surface until you are satisfied with the design.
  6. Stick paper cut-outs using wallpaper paste, onto your prepared item using a 1" paint brush. Press firmly, eliminating bubbles and any excess with a damp cloth - I find a small plastic roller (available from DIT stores) is very useful for ironing out bubbles.
  7. Apply Craquelure basecoat with a soft paintbrush.
  8. When dry after approximately 15 mins, apply a second coat of glaze. Allow to dry completely (approximately 30 minutes in a warm room).
  9. Apply Craquelure topcoat using a firm brush and even strokes.
    The top glaze is much thicker than the base coat, and you will need to be careful when applying this glaze. Too much glaze will encourage drips, too little will result in irregular cracks. I find it useful to check after 5 minutes, and if necessary, even out any drips and runs with a clean brush, however even using this method is no guarantee against drips and runs – the best method is to apply your varnish to one surface at a time, allowing each side of your item to dry flat before applying varnish to the next side. It does take longer using this method but the results are well worth the wait!
  10. Clean your brushes with warm soapy water - very important!
    The joy of using the applecraft glaze is that they are water-based. No messing about with white spirit or turps, just lots of hot, soapy water. Cared for brushes should last for many years if cleaned properly after use.
  11. Leave your item to dry overnight .
    (The glaze will work much better in a warm dry atmosphere).
  12. Having left your item to dry overnight - you should now be able to see surface cracks on your design, but in order to enhance them, apply a coat of dark wax, preferably walnut or dark oak. You can use artist's oil paint, but personally I find furniture wax much easier to use. Leave for approximately 10 minutes.
  13. Clean off surface wax with a clear furniture wax.
    Polish the surface with kitchen roll or a firm cloth and clear wax.
  14. Paint Interior surfaces. If your item has an interior, ie. You are decorating a bin or pot, you will need to paint the insides. I find that using a contrasting colour can be very effective, ideally something that complements the colours in your paper designs. Apply 2 – 3 coats and when dry, lightly sand the inner paintwork.
  15. Seal the interior.
    Apply a coat of slightly diluted PVA glue to seal in paint. Allow to dry overnight.
    Once the PVA glue is dry, you can apply a coat of clear furniture wax to the surface. Polish off any excess with kitchen roll or cotton cloth.
  16. Finishing touches.
    For the final touch, apply gilt cream to rims and edges - I use 'Goldfinger Gilt paste’, (available from most art supply shops), which you can either apply with your finger and some kitchen roll, or with a small firm brush, taking care not to smudge onto any other surfaces.
  17. ADMIRE YOUR WORK AND SHOW IT TO YOUR FRIENDS!