Things You'll Need:
- Decoupage paper or any thin sheets of paper
- Beige or light brown acrylic paint
- Acrylic gel medium
- Paintbrushes
- Mod Podge
- Foam paintbrush
- Sandpaper
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Step 1
Find your paper. You can buy decoupage paper at any craft store and even decoupage prints of antique scenes to help you create the look. You can use plain paper as well, though this method works best with thinner sheets of paper like tissue paper.
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Step 2
Use the dry brush method to antique the decoupage paper. You could use waxes, varnish, coffee grounds and many other mediums to create an antique effect, but the easiest method is to simply use a beige or brown acrylic paint and a dry paintbrush to add age to paper.
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Step 3
Thin the acrylic paint with gel medium and then dip a dry fan or edged brush into the paint. Remove any excess on a scrap piece of paper and then carefully add wear to the edges of the paper. Add light uneven strokes to the edges of the paper and highlight areas that you want to look antique. Cover corners and cut lines for the best result.
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Step 4
Cut out your decoupage design. Print out an antique print on thin sheets of paper and cut it out, or cut out decoupage paper designs for your project. Next, choose the surface you want to adhere the decoupage paper to and make sure that it is clean and dry before you begin.
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Step 5
Add mod podge or a similar adhesive medium to the surface and then carefully arrange your decoupage paper in place to "glue" it down. Be sure to squeeze out any air bubbles and then cover the paper with a coat of mod podge using the foam brush to avoid leaving thick brush strokes.
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Step 6
Allow the paper to dry and then sand the area to remove any unevenness or thickness. Then, go back over the surface with the foam brush and mod podge to add another coat. Sand again and then add a third and possibly a fourth coat for a glossy, clear finish that will protect the decoupaged paper.
