Decoupage: A Practical Guide to the Art of Decorating Surfaces with Paper Cutouts [Paperback]

Dee Davis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2000

"Perfect for beginners as well as experienced decoupeurs."—Victorian Home and Gardens

Aptly called "painting with scissors," the art of decoupage (embellishing surfaces with decorative paper cutouts) is one that requires no formal training or special talent. It can be mastered readily, with simple and inexpensive materials, yet can produce objects of great attractiveness and sophistication.Dee Davis has practiced and taught decoupage since she was first introduced to its delights almost thirty years ago. She now shares her enthusiasm, her discoveries, and her accumulated skills in text and pictures that explain and illustrate every aspect of the craft. Paper-cutting and decoupage have been popular for centuries, practiced in ancient China and Japan, in seventeenth-century Italy, in the courts of Marie Antoinette and Queen Victoria, and in the studios of twentieth-century artists such as Matisse and Picasso. The author explores this fascinating history before concentrating on the practical approach to the craft. With straightforward step-by-step directions and useful drawings she explains how to select papers, prepare surfaces, choose the right tools, cut, glue, and varnish. Color photographs of finished pieces, both traditional and modern, demonstrate the effects that can be achieved. Using the easy-to-follow instructions, newcomers to the craft will discover an exciting and fulfilling activity, while experienced decoupeurs will find the book full of ideas to enhance their knowledge and their expertise. Illustrated throughout

Editorial Reviews

Review

A thorough guide to transforming ordinary objects into works of art. -- Country Living

Perfect for beginners as well as experienced decoupeurs. -- Victorian Home and Gardens

About the Author

Dee Davis has been practicing decoupage since 1971, when she founded the Adventures in Crafts Studio. She teaches the craft and has written widely on the subject.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson (May 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 050028203X
• ISBN-13: 978-0500282038
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #940,169 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Decoupage Book, March 22, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Decoupage: A Practical Guide to the Art of Decorating Surfaces with Paper Cutouts (Paperback)

I've read a lot of books on decoupage and to me this is the ultimate "how-to" book. The chapters in this book cover everything from selecting papers to the finished product as well as an illuminating history of decoupage. There are clear step-by-step instructions and very detailed illustrations for wood, glass, tin and ceramic projects. This book also features chapters on gilding and special effects. And what I found most helpful for myself was that at the end of each chapter there is an outline of each technique for quick and easy reference. Again, I recommend this book for the beginner as well as the serious student. There is enough material to keep everyone busy.

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A splendid, introductory "how to" book., July 3, 2000

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Decoupage: A Practical Guide to the Art of Decorating Surfaces with Paper Cutouts (Paperback)

Decoupage is the art of embellishing surfaces with decorative paper cutouts and requires no formal training or special talent beyond the ability to use scissors and paste. It can be readily mastered, uses simple and inexpensive materials, yet can produce objects of great attractiveness and sophistication. In Decoupage: A Practical Guide To The Art Of Decorating Surfaces With Paper Cutouts, Dee Davis draws upon her almost thirty years of experience practicing and teaching decoupage to explain and illustrate every aspect of this engaging craft. With her easy-to-follow instructions, the novice decoupage artist will discover an enthusiasm for this fulfilling activity, and even experienced decoupers will find a wealth of new ideas to enhance their own practical knowledge and expertise. Decoupage is a highly recommended addition to personal, school, and community library "how to" art book reference collections.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars History of decoupage well-done; "how-to" a bit lacking..., January 20, 2006

By 

Mrs. C (Berkshire, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Decoupage: A Practical Guide to the Art of Decorating Surfaces with Paper Cutouts (Paperback)

I purchased this book because of the excellent ratings. Dee Davis's history of decoupage is excellent, giving many black and white photos, etchings and drawings, and 30 pages of color photos of antique decoupage furniture and home decor. However, the "how-to" section of the book can be challenging. Mrs. Davis is from the U.K., and although she has attempted to include resource information for both the U.K. and the U.S., the generic names of some resources that must be used for certain approaches are not given for the American market. It's frustrating for one who has never created decoupage art.

The instructions, while well enough described in her text, do not have any photos and have few (well-done) illustrations to accompany the information. If you are "visually oriented" as many artists are, "text-only" without well-defined instructions can be very challenging. If you prefer "show-me" instructions in conjunction with, or instead of "tell-me," this book may not be for you.

If you already have experience in decoupage, this book probably will not present anything new to what you have already learned. I believe that this book would work best for beginners in the U.K. because of the list of resources Mrs. Davis has given.