Pittorico - the secret of good decoupage

Pittorico is a way of shading which makes your decoupage fit the surface perfectly. It is especially good for decoupage paper, shiny but hard which is why it always looks like a sticker.

Material and tools:

- wooden board
- decoupage paper with flower motif
- glue for decoupage
- white, green, yellow and red acrylic paint
- Marabu Retarder – gel for slow dry

1 Rub the wooden board with fine sandpaper, and then paint it in pastel of your choice.

2 Cut out the motif from decoupage paper. Place it on the board and lightly outline the inner edge.

3 Immerse the motif in water to soak, in the meantime mix the darker shades of the motif. Add Retarder to the acryl and using a brush or sponge cover the edge of the motif. Retard gel slowes down drying of the acryl and makes paints oily so that they mix easily and interact.

4 Glue the motif with decoupage glue. When almost dry add Retarder and the colour of flowers and using a brush or sponge make fine strokes over the edges.

5 While retarder is still wet use a sponge to press the extra or even wipe it off if necessary.

6 For the final touch, using a toothbrush we added little dirty-purple paint and sprayed the board to add some oldfashioned note.