Yuxian paper-cutting process and paper-cutting methods

Yuxian paper-cutting process and paper-cutting methods

The production of traditional Yuxian paper-cutting follows a rigorous process. Every exquisite paper-cutting work that people see goes through the following processes:

1. Initial drawings

It is to design and create paper-cut patterns and draw them on white paper. First draw the outline of the pattern with a pencil, and then draw and organize the clear ink line draft. "We must consider the various relationships between the lines and surfaces in the picture, and the control effect of color in the picture." 32 It is necessary to explain clearly which lines should be eliminated when carving, and which should be retained and connected. (For more information, please refer to: Yu County Paper-cut Window Decoration Contents and Paper-cut Themes)

2. Sample drawing

Use a carving knife to carve the drawing, and hollow out the hollowed-out part, which is a secondary creation of the drawing. It is especially important to leave an opening for engraving.

3. Smoked sample

Paste the sample on a piece of white paper, wet the paper with a towel, smoke it with the smoke of an oil lamp or candle, and imprint the shape of the sample completely and clearly on the paper as a sample for engraving. .

4. Stamping paper

The smoked sample is stapled to a rice paper plate for engraving. The rice paper plate is made of dozens of sheets of rice paper. Soak the paper plate with clean water, and then cover it with heavy objects to fully compact the paper plate and squeeze out the moisture contained in it. After hanging to dry, it will become a flat and hard paper plate.

5 second engraving

Paper-cuts are carved with knives. Paper-cut artists have strict requirements on posture, knife holding and knife use when carving. There should be no burrs or broken lines in the carved pattern. When engraving, the fine parts should be carved first and then the rough parts. The middle should be carved first and then the two sides. The negative and positive carvings need to be combined skillfully.

6. Coloring

Dyeing is to use a brush dipped in a color mixed with wine to color the engraved white paper-cuts. Traditional dyeing is usually 4 to 8 pieces. As the saying goes, "Yixian paper-cutting is divided into three parts for engraving and seven parts for dyeing." Dyeing is a very critical step, and it also has strict procedures and requirements. dyeBefore coloring, test the colors on the edge of the paper. The order is from light to dark, warm colors first and then cool colors. Large areas first and then other colors. Dye the wider areas more heavily and the thin areas lightly. Match the colors appropriately. The same color should be dyed together first, and then dyed with the second color after drying. "Some dyeing methods, such as blending and washing, are just like ink painting. You don't wait for the color to dry before applying dye. Everything depends on the need and effect."

7. Sorting and framing

Sorting is to gently rub the engraved and dyed paper patterns to separate them from each other, and then uncover them one by one. Clip the uncovered paper cuts into slightly larger transparent rice paper, group them into sets, and put them into the prepared cover. Finally, it is framed with frames, paper plates, etc.