Characteristics of Fuyang paper-cut decorative patterns
Zigzag patterns and crescent patterns are common in paper-cutting, which are the inevitable products of scissor tools. These patterns can shape everything in the world. The variety of changes and flexible techniques have become the unique language and modeling means of paper-cutting. Usually several patterns are used in the same paper-cut. In addition to zigzag and crescent patterns, paper-cut patterns include cloud patterns, water patterns, fish scale patterns, swirl patterns, willow leaf patterns, petal patterns, comma patterns, diamond patterns, round holes, straight lines, Arc etc.
The cutting method of Fuyang paper-cutting knife and cutting produces a rich decorative language. Paper-cutting artists use more zigzag patterns, crescent patterns and swirling patterns based on the image characteristics and the performance of adapted tools as well as their accumulated experience. Under the influence of Taoist romantic temperament, these patterns are all in the form of curves, forming the unique decorative characteristics of Fuyang paper-cut art. A variety of decorative elements are interspersed and used to vividly shape the entire image.
1. The use of arc zigzag patterns and symmetrical zigzag patterns
Zigzag pattern is the most widely used pattern in paper-cutting. Named because of its saw-tooth shape. Also known as the dog tooth edge, it is a jagged edge formed by the intersection of two straight lines. According to the length, thickness, density and straightness of the sawtooth pattern, it is divided into large sawtooth, small sawtooth, oblique sawtooth, straight sawtooth, coarse sawtooth, fine sawtooth, pointed sawtooth, flat sawtooth, arc sawtooth, symmetrical sawtooth, etc.
Fuyang paper-cutting is good at using arc zigzag patterns and symmetrical zigzag patterns. (As shown in the picture, the arc zigzag pattern and the symmetrical zigzag pattern) It is not like the bold scissors in the northwest regions paper-cutting, but a very closely arranged zigzag texture. Different zigzag patterns are used according to different objects of expression. For example: the edges and stems of leaves are represented by hard and long zigzag patterns; flowers and fruits are represented by soft zigzag patterns; the bristles of animals are represented by strong zigzag patterns; the feathers and feathers of birds, birds, fish and insects are represented by The scales are represented by arc-shaped zigzag patterns; the characters’ eyebrows, beards, hair, and wrinkles on clothing can be represented by flexible and dense zigzag patterns. Specific cutting method: If it is inside the image, first make a long opening at one end, and then start cutting. When cutting, pay attention to the equal distance between the root and the tip; if it is outside, you can cut it according to the shape.
Arc zigzag pattern and symmetrical zigzag pattern
In the work "Shepherd Boy Long Piccolo" by paper-cutting artist Cheng Jianli, the most common decorative pattern used in the entire paper-cutting is the zigzag pattern. The shepherd boy’s hair, eyebrows and wrinkles on his clothes are all represented by long and short, dense zigzag patterns. In particular, the trousers are decorated with a string of symmetrical zigzag patterns. The arc zigzag pattern also plays a very good decorative role in the texture of the cattles fur. The birds attracted by the sound of the shepherd boys flute are also decorated with long saw teeth. Even the surrounding flowers and plants are carved with zigzag patterns. The entire paper-cut is decorated with zigzag patterns to make it peaceful and natural.
Shepherd boy playing piccolo Cheng Jianli
2. Application of crescent pattern
The crescent pattern is a decorative symbol commonly used by folk artists in paper-cutting. It is named after its crescent shape. There are crescent-shaped patterns of different widths, widths, and lengths, with the main ones being undercut. It is mainly used to decorate the characters' clothing patterns and express dynamics, or to destroy large black surfaces
product. You can consciously emphasize it when cutting your work to enhance the artistic feel of your work. In the work "Heron Bathing in Lotus Pond" by paper-cutting artist Liu Tingqing, in order to add weight to the lower part of the picture, a traditional crescent pattern is carved on a large area of ??lotus leaf.
Heron bathing in lotus pond Liu Tingqing
3. The use of swirl patterns
Deformation of crescent pattern. A kind of decoration that first appeared on Chinese bronzes and was popular in the Shang and Zhou dynasties. It is mostly used on the shoulders and abdomen of 罍, ding, 斝, and gou. In Fuyang paper-cutting, it is mainly used for the cross, shoulder and other joints of animals. It is basically the same as the usage in the Shang and Zhou dynasties, except that one is used for utensils and the other is used for animals. Of course, sometimes its just for decoration. For example, the shape of the big tiger subdued by a boy in the paper-cut work "Cuddling Tiger" is no longer as terrifying as its teeth and claws. The tiger is divided into two parts, each with 3 scrolls.To show the dynamics of the tiger lying on the ground. Each whorl is located at a joint. The whole picture is symmetrical and orderly, and the scrollwork is used appropriately.
Fuhu Cheng Jianli
In Fuyang paper-cutting, there are not only these three decorative patterns, but also cloud patterns, water patterns, fish scale patterns, swirl patterns, willow leaf patterns, petal patterns, comma patterns, diamond patterns, round holes, straight lines, arcs, etc. , the application method is not very different from paper-cutting in other areas, so I won’t go into details here.
