Folk paper-cutting, Zigong paper-cutting and paper engraving techniques
In the process of Zigong paper-cutting and engraving, you need to master the essentials of carving: First: hold the knife with your thumb, index finger, and middle finger above the knife, with the ring finger below, fix the knife, and put it lightly with the little finger Above the work, secure the work. Second: The blade should always be perpendicular to the work, and the blade should not be slanted or crooked, because each engraving work requires ten or more sheets at a time. If the blade is not straight, the underlying work will easily break and the pattern will be affected.
Third: Don’t drag the knife, slide it. Instead, use the blade to swing up, down, and back on the paper-cut work, commonly known as swinging the knife. Fourth: During the production process, from the inside to the outside, first carve the internal elements of the work, starting from simple small patterns such as circular patterns, crescent patterns, rice-shaped patterns, pot tooth patterns, etc., to flat patterns, fretwork, etc. Complex and easily broken patterns. If people or animals are to be engraved, the clothing and feathers should be carved first, followed by the facial features.
After all the internal structures are completed, proceed to the last step - "bottom". Fifth: For artists engaged in paper-cutting, in addition to being dexterous, their hands must also sweat less and keep their hands clean, because paper materials are often light and thin, especially rice paper, which is very absorbent and can be used to carve a slightly larger picture. The work usually takes several hours to ten and a half months or more. If the humidity of the hands is high for a long time, it will definitely affect the effect of the finished product. Finally, for the protection of the paper, you cannot drag or pull the work on the wax board. Every time you move the position of the work on the wax board, you need to gently lift it and then move it. Otherwise, the works in the later layers will be matted and damaged.
