In previous blog posts I’ve shared several of my decoupaged projects in which I completely covered an object with napkins or rice paper. Think bonbon boxes, candles, porcelain ware and even shoes and a lampshade!

In today’s project I’d like to focus on a slightly different way of decoupaging, that is to say, not covering your obhect entirely but very intentionally only parts, covering the rest with paint. The trick here is to decoupage first, perhaps going against your instincts to paint the object first instead.

The reason is that decoupage papers (rice paper or the top layer of paper napkins) are so thin that any kind of paint color will shine through. The only color you can actually cover your object with before decoupaging, is white. All others will NOT work.

So, first carefully tear your selected pattern from the napkin or rice paper, decoupage it onto your object, then paint carefully in between the patches. I always cover my decoupage projects with either mod podge or some other kind of sealant after.

And there you go!

Hopefully you enjoyed this blog exclusive tip. Check out the pictures below for some examples.

By the way, I’m also including some free video tutorials at the end of this post in which I’m decoupaging two different objects, in case you’d like to watch the technique. Enjoy!

And here’s some decoupaging technique videos: