Technique: Paper Tole
Materials:
christmas card or image that you like
spray Sealant
600gsm card stock
silicone
PVA glue
Tools
scissors
scalpel or hobby knife
paintbrush
styrofoam pad
paper tole tool
high resolution colour printer
Paper tole, or 3D decoupage as it is often called, is where you use one image that you have cut several times, and then layer to give a three dimensional effect.
Once you have found an image that you want to use, you must make 5 to 6 copies of the image. If it is an image you found online, or the one above, simply print it a few times on the same sheet of paper. Use high resolution paper and print at the highest quality you can. If you are using a christmas card you will need to scan it in and then reprint several copies (or purchase several cards!)
The first step is to seal the backs of the images. The silicone that we use to raise each layer will leave a dark spot on your paper unless you protect it with a sealant first. Seal the front and back with the spray sealant.
Glue one image to the card stock, this will be the base upon which you build the rest. For mine, I cut closely around the music sheet, eliminating all of the red background, but you could keep that in if you prefer.
I won't give exact directions on what to cut as you may have chosen a different image to mine. Look at your picture and try and divide it into background, middle and foreground. For the mouse carollers I cut all three mice as one piece, and then from another sheet I cut the heads and scarves of all the mice. Then from another sheet I cut their ears. What we are looking for is pieces that can be layered to give depth and perspective.
Once you have cut the pieces you want to use it's time to give them a little shaping. A paper tole tool is a simple shaping tool, with a blunt end designed for making soft curves, and a sharper edge designed for scoring and creasing. Lay the first piece you want to add onto a foam board or piece of styrofoam and gently rub over it in small circles. If you don't have a paper tole tool you could use a marble to get the same effect. Gently rub until you have put a little shape into the piece. Now turn it over and mark in any creases, pleats or folds. Take a small piece of silicone onto a toothpick, no bigger than the pip in an orange, and place several dobs on the back of your image and then place it onto your backing image and line the two up as precisely as you can. This will now become the foundation for the rest of the pieces so it is important that it is well supported.
Working now with the mid-ground images, do the same, shape them and then place them onto the ornament with small amounts of silicone. The silicone doesn't take long to adhere and set, but you should ensure that it has a firm hold before attaching a new piece, or as you are sliding it into position you could upset the layer beneath.
For the final pieces, the ones that are going to be in the most foreground, try and work a little more detail into the shaping and be a little creative with the silicone to add angles. For example with the ears on the mice, they would be touching at the point where they join the head, but they could be angled away from the head and lifted just as real ears would be.
When you are happy with the piece, allow it to set up properly for a few hours and then give another coat of sealant. Attach a hanger to the back of the ornament.
The first step is to seal the backs of the images. The silicone that we use to raise each layer will leave a dark spot on your paper unless you protect it with a sealant first. Seal the front and back with the spray sealant.
Glue one image to the card stock, this will be the base upon which you build the rest. For mine, I cut closely around the music sheet, eliminating all of the red background, but you could keep that in if you prefer.
I won't give exact directions on what to cut as you may have chosen a different image to mine. Look at your picture and try and divide it into background, middle and foreground. For the mouse carollers I cut all three mice as one piece, and then from another sheet I cut the heads and scarves of all the mice. Then from another sheet I cut their ears. What we are looking for is pieces that can be layered to give depth and perspective.
Once you have cut the pieces you want to use it's time to give them a little shaping. A paper tole tool is a simple shaping tool, with a blunt end designed for making soft curves, and a sharper edge designed for scoring and creasing. Lay the first piece you want to add onto a foam board or piece of styrofoam and gently rub over it in small circles. If you don't have a paper tole tool you could use a marble to get the same effect. Gently rub until you have put a little shape into the piece. Now turn it over and mark in any creases, pleats or folds. Take a small piece of silicone onto a toothpick, no bigger than the pip in an orange, and place several dobs on the back of your image and then place it onto your backing image and line the two up as precisely as you can. This will now become the foundation for the rest of the pieces so it is important that it is well supported.
Working now with the mid-ground images, do the same, shape them and then place them onto the ornament with small amounts of silicone. The silicone doesn't take long to adhere and set, but you should ensure that it has a firm hold before attaching a new piece, or as you are sliding it into position you could upset the layer beneath.
For the final pieces, the ones that are going to be in the most foreground, try and work a little more detail into the shaping and be a little creative with the silicone to add angles. For example with the ears on the mice, they would be touching at the point where they join the head, but they could be angled away from the head and lifted just as real ears would be.
When you are happy with the piece, allow it to set up properly for a few hours and then give another coat of sealant. Attach a hanger to the back of the ornament.
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