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Surface Design Techniques

Ways to decorate paper

Surface Design Techniques

Ways to decorate paper
 
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Surface Design TechniquesFriday Fun

Tissue Paper Painting

Create colorful tissue paper with designs like Japanese shibori or tie dyeing
Decorative tissue paper created with painting technique
What you will make:

Tissue paper painting is an easy technique for making colorful tissue paper that resembles Japanese shibori or tie dyeing. Simply pleat a piece of tissue paper and paint the folded edges. Repeat the process once or twice to create an even more exciting design. Use the colorful tissue paper in your paper crafts, to wrap packages, line envelopes, to cover a notepad, and in greeting cards, suncatchers, collages, and much more.

Tissue paper painting is great for family, classroom or group craft time. Everyone will love the results. It requires no more preparation than the gathering of materials.

Here's what you need:
  • Tissue paper (white or colored)
  • Paint (watercolor, poster or acrylic)
  • Paintbrush
  • Optional: Ironing board, surgical gloves.
  • Scissors
  • Bulldog clips or a chip bag clip
  • Newspapers

This project is rated EASY to do.

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Before you start
  • Make a place to work.
  • Read all of the directions.
  • Gather everything you need to do the project.
  • Think about the project. Imagine how it will look and what you will do with it.
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How to Do Tissue Paper Painting

Read all of the steps before starting.
Step 1: Pleat Tissue Paper

Cut a large sheet of tissue paper into quarters or smaller pieces. Make an accordion pleat. The pleat can be in any direction—horizontal, vertical, diagonal, radiating from one corner or edge. Just be sure to fold the paper back and forth to form the accordion pleat, and keep the folded edges on both sides even. Folds that are from 1" to 2" deep work well.

White or pastel-colored tissue paper may be used. The dye in some colored paper may run when wet, but this can be considered part of the design.

Tip: You can fold the paper in half or quarters before making the accordion pleat.

Step 2: Paint Edges

The technique is easy, but it can get messy. Spread newspapers to protect the table and the floor. You may also want to wear gloves to keep your hands clean.

Hold the edges on one side of the pleat together with a chip bag clip or some bulldog clips. Paint the edges on the other side. Repeat for the opposite edge. If you use poster or acrylic paint, thin it with water.

Step 3: Unfold and Dry

Carefully unfold the paper, gripping dry spots. The paper is very fragile and will tear easily. Handle it as little as possible, and lay it on newspapers to dry. When it is dry, it can be ironed to remove the crease marks. Kids, get help to use an iron.

Tip: Children will probably need help with the unfolding step, or they may tear their creations. You may also want to experiment with different brands of tissue paper, since some will work better than others.

Tip: The wet tissue paper may stick to the newspaper. Check when the paper is about half-dry, and carefully lift it from the newspaper to avoid sticking.

The pleating, painting, and drying steps can be repeated to make more complex designs like checks or chevrons. Just pleat the paper in a different direction, and paint.

Step 4: Use the Painted Tissue Paper

Painted tissue paper can be used in a wide variety of ways. It is especially useful in gift wrapping and craft decoration. It can be used to wrap or decorate packages, line envelopes, cover greeting cards, in decoupage—just use your imagination.

That's it! How will you use your painted tissue paper?
Decorative tissue paper created with painting technique

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