Manning on Decoupage

Rating:
Summary: A key book, but not foundation of the art
Review: I both love and hate this book. The author and his mother ran a Manhattan studio, teaching and selling all things having to do with decoupage, and I think this book was an important marketing tool for their studio. The photos of some techniques, especially the extraordinary scissor work, Manning's technical specialty, are informative and inspiring. But some of the advice, especially about gluing, is terrible, being appropriate only for some papers. In the early 1970's a friend of my family got into large scale collage, doing entire walls, and I caught the bug. But for some unknown reason I began cutting and compositing my collages, until they became more decoupage than collage. Only later did I learn the name of this form of decorative art. I find Manning's story of his "rediscovery" of decoupage to be rather self-serving and perhaps even ignorant of the art tradition of decoupage. Whether you too love or hate this book, if you are a decoupageur like me then you should own a copy.

Rating:
Summary: An inspiring source book from the founding master of the art
Review: When Hiram Manning discovered in a French chateau the lost art of decoupage he became a life-long disciple and articulate evangelist of this ancient craft. In this chatty, anecdotal and inspiring book Manning attempts to take the reader on a step-by-step journey towards making a treasured heirloom from humble craft materials. Through Manning's example many talented craftspeople have discovered a fascinating hobby whose potential is only limited by the imagination. There are newer, more up-to-date books on Decoupage on the market using modified techniques and the latest technical know-how which should be consulted before the reader follows Manning's " councils of perfection".The sources of supply are way out of date, his language can be irritating and patronising - with a certain dated camp humour, but I guarantee that any reader who studies the many black and white illustrations, as well as the colour plates, will find themselves longing to follow Manning's example and become a slave to the scissors. I have read" Manning On Decoupage" seventy one times and still I find it inspiring. One not to miss