SUPPLIES
- Heavy paper
- Quilling and scoring tools
- Paper cutters
- Glue
Overview
Paper, the most basic artistic material, does not only exist to be drawn or painted on. Paper is versatile, often used in other artistic fields such as three-dimensional design and sculpture. Paper sculpting is not like sculpting in other materials. Although there is some degree of carving and scoring done with paper, just like clay, paper also can be cut, folded and glued to create a form. Many professional artists create beautiful, intricate designs out of paper. Although your work may not yet be as detailed as that of the pros, you, too, can create an impressive project.
Step 1
Determine the shape of the sculpture you would like to make. As a beginner, simple shapes such as those that are square or round, or made up of a series of separate attached pieces, will be easier. Determine the design you would like to create on each piece of your sculpture. You may wish to cut holes of certain shapes in your sculpture, or create intricately curled pieces. If it helps, sketch the design first on a sheet of paper from several angles, so that you have the best possible guide.
Step 2
Create a construction plan, based on your sketch. You should start with the largest separate pieces and work your way down to the small pieces. For example, if you are making a curved or rounded sculpture with cutouts, start by creating the "skeleton" of the design. On a sheet of heavy paper, draw what your sculpture would look like if it were unfolded. This will likely involve creating a series of box shapes with tabs. For example, in a straight rectangular design, you would draw a wide rectangle with tabs on the ends that could be folded up like box tops.
Step 3
Cut the "skeleton" from the paper with the paper cutters and score along the fold lines with a scoring tool, on the wrong side of the paper. This will make it easier to fold. Fold the paper along the scored lines and glue it in place. If you wish to curve your skeleton, gently bend it into the form that you would like and either affix it there by gluing it to a base or backdrop, or by forming the paper around a template object like a jug for a period of time, until it holds the shape itself.
Step 4
Create the detail pieces of the sculpture separately. Make small curled pieces by cutting rectangular strips of lighter paper and rolling them onto the quilling tool. Unwind the paper from the tool and fold or curl it into the desired shape, and glue it to the piece. Add glue to the inside of the curl to make it hold tighter. Make intricate origami or patterned fins by folding up square paper in a pattern, then let the paper open. The folded lines create visual interest, and the whole piece can then either be shaped in another way or added directly to the larger sculpture. You can even crumple paper and warp it to attach to the design.
Step 5
Spray the entire sculpture with a fixer so that it keeps the shape, if desired.
TIPS AND WARNINGS
- TIP : Before cutting paper, you can add small details by scoring them directly onto the right side of the paper. Once the paper is cut and folded, it is not possible to score without damaging the piece.
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