Expression techniques of color paper-cutting

Since colored paper-cutting is developed on the basis of monochrome paper-cutting, the expression techniques are of course the same. It is divided into four types: silhouette, yin-cutting, yang-cutting, and yin-yang mixed cutting. In order to make the description of expression techniques clearer, we take monochrome paper-cutting as an example in the following illustrations.

Silhouette method: This is the preliminary stage of paper-cutting. It only needs to cut out the outer outline shape of the object according to the mental image. After the outline is completed, it can be pasted or painted on the silhouette.

Overcast cutting method: On the basis of the silhouette, a line structure is carved out inside, similar to the white text in a seal, that is, the lines are cut away and the silhouette is left.

Yang shearing method: Just the opposite of the Yin shearing method, the base is hollowed out and the line structure is left. Lining the bottom with various colored papers, this expression technique is often used in lining color paper-cutting.

Mixed Yin and Yang cuts: Yin-cut paper-cuts are plain, thick, and integrated, but if not handled well, they can easily appear dull and hard; yin-cut paper-cuts are bright, clear, exquisite, and translucent, but if they are too delicate, they can easily appear thin and light. If the two are combined, they will learn from each others strengths and offset their weaknesses, be appropriately sparse and dense, have both virtuality and reality, and highlight the key points.