Paper cutting is the art of carving paper to create intricate patterns, shapes, and motifs. Paper cutting has a unique aspect – it allows an artist to create shapes and patterns with both the paper and the voids or negative space left after cutting out the paper.
Paper Cutting as Traditional Art Form
Paper cutting is practiced as folk art in many countries. Some examples are traditional Chinese paper cuts made on red-colored rice paper, Indian Sanjhi stencil-style paper cuts, Germany’s Scherenschnitte art, and Mexican Papel picado banner-style paper cuts. A well known practice involves making people’s impressions or silhouettes, where artists cut people’s side profiles on black silhouette paper using scissors.
Fun, Easy to Being, and Great for Young Artists Paper cutting requires few, inexpensive tools and materials to begin. It offers artists of all ages the joys of free exploration and creative self-discovery. Paper cutting is especially helpful for developing focus, fine motor skills, and artistic expression in young artists.
Although little known as an art form, paper cutting is becoming popular through a growing community of artists and popularization of the medium on social media platforms.
Check out the page describing my paper cutting process.