Today, there are many techniques for working with paper. Some of them were created many centuries ago, others are forgotten and are experiencing a rebirth, and still others have gained popularity recently. However, each of them teaches how to create unusually beautiful things, having only this material at hand. Further in the article, we will consider the types of techniques for working with paper.
Historical data
The first mention of paper dates back to the 2nd century BC. e. It was invented in China by a court official and began to spread far to the West and Central Asia. In 793, they begin to make it in Baghdad, and then further in the East. In the 14th century, paper mills began to operate in Europe.
By the middle of the 15th century, with the advent of printing, the demand for this material was growing rapidly. The main raw materials for its manufacture are cotton and linen. In the 18th century, with an increase in demand and a shortage of paper, a search began for other raw materials that couldto meet the needs of manufacturers. So, in the 19th century, it began to be made of wood. In the same period, more modern equipment is being produced, new methods for manufacturing this material are being developed.
Today, the ancient craft is already a highly technical industry. While the manufacturing process has changed in many ways, the production of special varieties with high strength is still based on the use of cotton or linen fibers.
Today it is impossible to imagine our life without paper. In addition to the main purpose, it is used to embody creative ideas, create compositions and decorate. However, in ancient times, various figures were made with the help of paper, pictures were drawn, and houses were painted and decorated with it. Some paper techniques have been known for a long time.
Papier-mache
From French, this term is translated as "chewed paper". In fact, it is paper torn into small pieces or strips of paper soaked in glue. The finished mass can be poured into the mold. Individual pieces are pasted over objects. After drying, the resulting products are decorated using various decoration techniques.
Initially, this art form appeared in the Far East. Finished products were varnished and decorated with stones and paintings. Later, this creativity developed in European countries. In the first half of the 18th century, using various techniques for working with paper, papier-mache objects began tomade in France, then in England and Germany. By the end of the 19th century, this occupation had lost its popularity. However, due to its cheapness and simplicity, masks, Christmas decorations and mannequins continue to be made in this way.
Decoupage
This word is similar to the French decouper, which translates as "cut". Decoupage is a type of decorative art that allows you to create images and ornaments on surfaces using paper cutouts. It is a very interesting and exciting technique for working with paper.
It appeared in France in the 17th century. Here it was used most often to decorate furniture. Almost a century later, the art of decoupage swept across Europe. Over time, the technique became so popular that they began to create paintings based on it, specifically designed to decorate household items. And today, many needlewomen with the help of decoupage give a second life to old things.
Paper cutting
In ancient China, the art of carving from this material arose against the background of the manufacture of stencils that were used for embroidery. Their ornaments were distinguished by complexity and originality. In Japan, paper-cut stencils were used to print images on fabrics.
Already later, this technique of working with paper became known in Europe and was widely used by monks to design manuscripts. After the material began to be used almost everywhere, people begin to carve figurines, people, animals and scenes from life.to decorate homes. And today in some countries there are competitions and festivals for this type of art, where you can see really unique products.
Paper decoration
There are many ways to finish this material. For many years, the main method of decoration was the use of stencils with outlandish ornaments. With the help of paper decorated in this way, the walls and ceilings of rooms, large and small objects were decorated. With the development of technology, a type of printing called stamping appears. It can be applied to any type of paper or paper products. Currently, such printing is considered one of the most affordable means for decorating a paper web. In specialized stores, you can buy ready-made stencils or make them yourself from improvised means.
Creating paper designs
By cutting, gluing and folding paper, you can make not only beautiful, but also useful items for the home. To do this, you need to be able to use the techniques of working with paper and cardboard. You can create not only simple compositions, but also complex three-dimensional figures.
Paper folding goes back to the more ancient art of fabric making. The most popular is the manufacture of paper structures using origami. This is a technique that allows you to create products from a simple airplane to complex geometric designs.
In the 19th century, in some European countries, folding figures from colored paper began to be taught in kindergartens.
Not less popularuse designs made of cardboard. In the first half of the 20th century, it was used to make models for future sculptures and architectural structures. Recently, this technique has been widely used to create toy items, including cardboard furniture. It is worth noting that they are durable, environmentally friendly and cheap.
What is paper plastic?
This is a technique based on the ability of paper to take one form or another. This is a decorative art that allows you to create and model three-dimensional three-dimensional compositions and paper sculptures.
Of all the known different techniques for working with paper, paper-plastic is considered the newest and most modern art form. The first works performed by this method appeared at the beginning of the last century, and by the end of the 20th century, the method was recognized as a separate type of creativity. Today, paper plastic has found its application in interior design, creating avant-garde fashion attributes and other areas.
Working in this technique is less painstaking than applique, the result is more reminiscent of three-dimensional objects created on a plane. Layouts, paintings and sculptures made in the style of paper plastic are distinguished by grace and realism.
Origami, modular origami, kirigami
This is one of the most exotic techniques:
- Origami is the traditional Japanese art of working with paper, which means "folded paper" in translation. In the classic version, the figures are made from a square sheet of paper. Putting it in a certain sequenceuntil the intended object is obtained - this is the origami technique. Currently, the technique is more like paper construction. Figures can be glued or assembled from several parts, painted, cut or incised.
- Modular origami is one of the varieties that emerged from traditional art. It involves the assembly of a composition from several separate identical parts (modules). Each part is folded in the classic origami way, and then nested in another part. One of the most famous products in the modular origami technique is kusudama - a three-dimensional spherical object.
- Kirigami is another popular paper crafting method. It is based on cutting, folding and twisting ordinary or colored material. This art is as old as the origami paper technique. In the traditional design, the workpiece is marked, cut, folded and unfolded to obtain a three-dimensional or flat object.
Quilling
This name comes from the word quill, which means "bird's feather". The technique of working with quilling paper consists in twisting long strips of different widths into spirals and giving them a certain shape. Then they create three-dimensional or planar compositions.
The method originated in Europe around the second half of the 14th - early 15th century. In the 20th century, it was practicallyforgotten and only in recent years has begun to gain popularity again. Despite the attitude to paper as something fragile and short-lived, quilling makes you believe the opposite. For example, you can safely put a heavy object on a stand made using this technique without damaging any of the spirals.
Cutting
This decorative art belongs to non-traditional paperwork techniques. Allows you to create unusual compositions of various types from it. Trimming is based on work with corrugated paper, in the center of which a rod is placed with the butt end and slightly twisted. The resulting trimming part is transferred to the outline of the drawing, glued, and only then the rod is removed. The following elements are treated in exactly the same way, attaching each part, it is important not to leave voids.
Cutting happens:
- Contour, that is, trimming is glued along the contour of the picture.
- Planar - covers the entire surface of the image.
- Volumetric - each part is glued at a special angle, which allows you to get a relief pattern.
- Multilayered - trimmings are glued into each other.
Applique
Of all the various paperwork techniques, this one is one of the most popular. This creative activity consists in alternately gluing pieces of colored paper, fabric, leather, cardboard, leaves, beads, plates and other elements to the base to obtain a complete composition.
Occupationapplication is available even to young children, it develops thinking and fine motor skills of hands well. Elements of future crafts can be made in advance by an adult or entrusted to a child. The composition can be completely made of glued elements or combined with traced details.
Using this technique, whole pictures are created that reflect the mood, movement and character of their characters. For this, silhouettes of people, animals, household items are cut out. In the last century, still lifes and black-and-white illustrations were composed in this way.
How good is paperwork for babies?
According to child psychologists and teachers, accustoming a child to creativity contributes to his comprehensive intellectual development. Working with malleable material allows you to create beautiful things yourself.
Teaching children paperwork techniques makes it possible to interest kids of any age. You can start from a simpler application and trimming, and end with quilling and origami. In the process of work, children gain confidence in movements, develop finger flexibility, strive to improve their skills and comprehend more complex types of paper-plasticity.
An equally important component is the moral and ethical education of children. Paper crafts allow you to form such qualities as morality, willingness to help, collectivism, sociability, support, joy for a friend, solving problems.
The creative process itself develops the imagination, spatial and visu althinking, reveals the personal potential of the child, intellectual capabilities. Mastering more complex techniques prepares children for independent planning, control and evaluation of their actions, correction of mistakes and self-control.
When using any of these methods, paper safety precautions must be observed. Where scissors are used, it must be remembered that this is a dangerous item and must be handled with great care. Children must work with a special tool with blunt ends. It is also important to remember that paper has sharp edges and can cause serious injury.
