Decoupage, also known as découpage, is an art form that involves decorating an object by gluing colored paper cutouts onto it in combination with special paint effects, gold leaf, and other decorative elements. The word "decoupage" comes from the French word "decouper," which means to cut out or cut from something else. There are different types of decoupage, including:

• Three-dimensional decoupage: This is the art of creating a 3D image by cutting out elements of varying sizes from a series of identical images and layering them on top of each other, usually with adhesive foam spacers between each layer to give the image more depth.

• Pyramid decoupage: This is a process similar to 3D decoupage, where a series of identical images are cut into progressively smaller, identical shapes which are layered and fixed with adhesive foam spacers to create a 3D "pyramid" effect.

Decoupage can be done on a variety of surfaces, including glass, plastic, wood, and more. To get started with decoupage, youll need to pick a surface, prepare it, and then decorate it with paint or other effects. Here are some common surfaces used for decoupage:

• Wood
• Papier mache
• Terra cotta
• Tin
• Cardboard
• Glass

To create a decoupage project, youll need the following materials and tools:

• Materials: Surface, Mod Podge, scrapbook paper or fabric, acrylic paint (optional)
• Tools: Paintbrush, scissors, ruler, pencil, craft knife and mat (optional)

Decoupage is an art form that requires some skill and patience, but it can be a fun and rewarding hobby. There are many resources available online, including tutorials and project ideas, to help you get started with decoupage.