How to Create Paper Tole Art

Paper Tole or 3-D Decoupage

Paper tole takes a single image and elevates selected portions in a series of layers to create depth and dimension from a flat picture. Also called 3-D decoupage, these little works of paper sculpture are deceptively simple to do, requiring more patience and a sharp pair of scissors than anything else. Read on for some secrets.

Things You'll Need

• 3 to 6 copies of a detailed image
• Card stock (optional)
• Spray adhesive (optional)
• Scissors
• Silicone adhesive (hot glue gun or foam tape)
• Tweezers
• Clear glaze or glitter glue (optional)
• Well-lit area to work in

Instructions

1. 

   Find your images. Whatever you choose you'll need at least three copies of it, which is why greeting cards or stationery or even wallpaper borders make great materials for paper tole because the copies are already made for you with plenty of extras. You can also use any copyable image; just make enough color copies to work with.

2. 

   Mount one full image onto card stock with spray adhesive so you have a good base to work on, especially if you use a liquid adhesive for your layers; lightweight paper tends to buckle and wrinkle. If you're using greeting cards for your image or a picture on very heavy stock to begin with, this step is optional, but might look nice if your mat is larger than your image.

3. 

   Decide which areas you will use on each layer and cut them out. You will be layering portions of the image one on top of the other to create the illusion of depth. Use one layer as the background, uncut, and then select which portions would naturally be closer to the eye or stand in front on one another; look for items that overlap in the original artwork as a good starting point.

4. 

   Build up your image layer by layer. Traditionally, a silicone adhesive is used between each layer because it stands up a bit, putting space between each piece of paper. I like to work fast and hate waiting for glue to dry, so I use a combination of foam tape (which comes in rolls as well as sheets of round or square shapes) and hot glue to build my layers. Start with your largest cutouts and build up, making sure to support each area to be built upon with the adhesive of your choice.

5. 

   The paper layers you add do not have to stay flat; you can curl the edges up or down or prop up sections with extra glue. Add a touch of clear glaze to simulate rain drops or dew on a petal or glitter glue to the edges of fairy or butterfly wings for a bit of whimsy.

Tips & Warnings

• Really intricate paper tole can use 10 layers or more, but starting simple will give you a better feel for the medium.

• Embroidery or manicure scissors tend to work best for intricate cutting. Make sure they're sharp since paper dulls blades quickly.

• Use tweezers to help position smaller elements on topmost layers.

• Always work with plenty of light to avoid eyestrain.

• Supervise small children when using sharp scissors or potentially toxic adhesives.