A Handbook for Papercutting

Paper cutting is one of the folk arts and has been with us for thousands of years. However, most of the paper cutting artists are making patterns based on their experience and knowledge inherited from the family or community. There is a need to establish the principles and the fundamental techniques for this art, accessible to the public. The volume 1 of the serial books introduced the language and composition rules for paper cutting and explored the approaches to making the single and symmetrical patterns. In this book, the author is going to introduce the methods to make more complicated pattern, the serial pattern.

The patterns, discussed in volume 1, are all about one object or creature. The serial pattern is a serial and repeating pattern for one or more objects or creatures. This means that the serial pattern is made of several units. These units may be in different views. Multiple units in different views make the pattern more beautiful and meaningful. This, of course, increases the difficulties to create. To make the work easier, this book is going to introduce several methods for readers to choose.

As we did in the Volume 1, this book uses several plants and animals as the examples for pattern making. Readers can pick up their favorite plants or animals to practice.