Step 1: Decoupage Application
To kick off, I prepped the MDF board canvas for the decoupage application. I grabbed my Posh Chalk Smooth & Blend Brush and applied a generous coat of Cotton Magic Paint onto the entire surface of the board. The Smooth & Blend Brush is perfect for this, allowing me to easily create a smooth and consistent finish. Having a smooth surface like this is very important for a successful decoupage application, and I also believe that a white base coat is crucial to really bring out the design’s colours.
To expedite the drying process, I pulled out my trusty heat gun and force-dried the painted canvas, which allowed me to move to the next step without having to wait around. For this project, I specifically chose the Posh Chalk Peonies & Plumes Decoupage Paper. Its intricate floral designs and rich colours provided a stunning backdrop for the blue tones I planned to incorporate. I aimed to use the bottom half of this design, so I carefully used a water pen to tear the paper rather than cutting with scissors. This technique results in a beautifully frayed edge that adds to the aged, vintage look I desired.
Once I had torn off the section I needed, I held it up to see how it aligned with my canvas, and I could already envision the beautiful piece that was beginning to take shape! With the decoupage paper prepared, it was time to apply the Posh Chalk Pigment Infusor. I applied some infusor onto one half of the canvas, using my Smooth & Blend Brush to spread it evenly across the surface.
Next, I carefully positioned the torn section of decoupage onto the wet infusor. Using a dry Smooth & Blend Brush, I gently smoothed the decoupage down, starting from the center and working my way outwards. It was crucial to lift sections gently, and smooth out any creases or air bubbles that formed during this stage. I then repeated this technique with the other half of my decoupage. Doing this one half at a time makes it much easier to smooth out any imperfections that form.
Once the decoupage was laid down smoothly, I applied another coat of infusor on top of the paper to seal it. This seals the decoupage to the surface and, due to the infusor also acting as an outdoor grade sealant, helps to ensure durability. After this, I forced dried everything once again with the heat gun – already looking good!
Step 2: WoodUbend Applique and Trim Application
The next stage involved adding some dimensionality to my panel by attaching a beautiful WoodUbend Applique (WUB1372.48) to the top. Warmth is key with these appliques, so I used a heat gun to ensure it became fully malleable and easy to work with. Given its larger size and thickness, it took a little extra time to warm up.
Once ready, I applied WoodUglue to the back of the applique using a small brush. Spreading it evenly ensured that every part would adhere properly. Because the applique retains heat so well, the WoodUglue was activated almost instantly!
I carefully positioned the applique at the top of my canvas and pressed it down. As I did, a bit of glue seeped out along the edges, but I easily cleaned this with a wet paintbrush. I heated the applique once more then pressed it down firmly to secure its placement.
Next up was our trim TR805. I warmed it with the heat gun, measured the necessary length against my canvas, and cut off an appropriate sized section. After applying WoodUglue and ensuring it covered the entire footprint, I placed it along the bottom edge of the canvas and heated it once more in situ for a secure hold.
Step 3: Painting with Paste
Now that the structural elements were in place, it was time to bring in some colour. I began by spritzing the entire surface with water. This was particularly important because I planned to use Posh Chalk Metallic Pastes – a damp surface allows for better coverage, reducing the amount of paste needed and helping the colours blend beautifully.
Using a Posh Chalk Mouldings Brush, I stippled Posh Chalk Blue Prussian Metallic Paste onto the applique at the top of my canvas. The rich blue added depth, and the damp surface allowed the paste to glide on smoothly. After getting coverage on the trim, I switched to a Smooth & Blend Brush to drag the paste down across the canvas, creating a cohesive look.
Next, I wiped away any excess paste with a paper towel, ensuring a clean and polished finish. But I wasn’t done! I repeated the process for the trim using the Blue Fhthalo and Brown Van Dyke pastes, making sure to get into all the nooks and crannies.
Step 4: Creative Techniques with Athenian Plaster
I wanted my pice to have a layered effect, so next I incorporated some stencilling with Posh Chalk Athenian Plaster. I decanted some of my plaster into a pot and mixed it with Arctic White and Royal Indigo Colour Kicks until I achieved a lovely pale blue shade that matched the overall theme.
I placed my chosen stencil, the Posh Chalk Mystery Thorns Stencil, on the canvas before starting to trowel the coloured plaster on top of the stencil. The Finishing Trowel made the application easy and ensured even coverage.
As I peeled back the stencil, my heart swelled with how perfectly the design came together. A small amount of plaster had spilled onto the rest of the canvas, so this was wiped off with a baby wipe before I moved on. Then, due to the stencil’s repeatable design, I could perfectly align it and continue filling the entire width of the canvas.
Our Athenian Plaster is super versatile and I still wanted to do more with it. So after force drying the stencilling I began dabbing more of it onto the surface, using a sea sponge. This method introduced unique textures that would make the piece truly special.
While dabbing, I focused on specific sections, ensuring the decoupage design still showed through. Using my Finishing Trowel, I flattened the dabbed on patches to maintain a layered effect while creating a smooth finish that could be polished later. This layering of different creative techniques not only created visual interest but also added a tactile dimension to the piece.
I continued stencilling, dabbing, and flattening until I was satisfied with the textured look of my panel and had filled the space in the centre of my canvas.
Step 5: Finishing Touches
After allowing everything to dry naturally, I moved on to sanding the surface using a belt sander. This step created a beautiful glossy, mirror-like finish with our Athenian Plaster.
I took my time with this part, ensuring that I maintained an even surface. The last stage of my project involved adding final touches with washes of my chosen metallic pastes – Blue Prussian, Dark Green, and Brown Van Dyke. To do this, I kept the surface slightly damp and began to apply the different colours in key areas.
Each application presented an opportunity for dynamic effects. The dampness allowed the colours to blend seamlessly, and using baby wipes and paper towels, I wiped away any excess paste as I went along. The result was a stunning tapestry of hues that tied the entire piece together beautifully.
And there you have it folks! My Blue Decoupage & Plaster Panel was complete. It’s a testament to the power of mixing different techniques – decoupage, plastering, stencilling and washes – resulting in a cohesive, beautiful piece of art that I fell in love with during the process. I hope it not only inspires you but also encourages you to take on your own unique projects. Don’t hesitate to experiment with colours and designs that resonate with you – the possibilities are endless!
Thank you for joining me on this creative journey. If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, please give it a like and leave your thoughts in the comments below. I’d love to hear about your own projects or any techniques you wish to share! If you’re interested in more creative content, don’t forget to subscribe to the blog for weekly project updates. Until next time, happy crafting!
