BLICK 13309-1023 Kirigami Landscape Painting Instruction Manual

: June 15, 2024
: BLICK

Table of Contents

Kirigami Landscape
- Create a 3-dimensional landscape that stands out!
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Kirigami Landscape

Recommended for
Grades
5-12

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Blick Art Materials
All rights reserved

Create a 3-dimensional landscape that stands out!

Kirigami is a variation of the Japanese art of origami. In addition to folding paper, kirigami involves making cuts to construct a 3-dimensional design that pops out from the page. Paper snowflakes are a simplified version of kirigami. Pieces are typically made from a single sheet of paper. First, a base is folded and then unfolded. Then, cuts are made and opened to make the finished design.

While most kirigami works are done on a solid white or colored sheet of paper, this project will be executed in conjunction with a landscape watercolor painting.

Starting with the landscape, evaluate elements of the composition that are in the foreground and background, such as rolling hills or trees. Use a folding guide made from graph paper and string to plan cuts that accentuate these elements. Fold the cuts forward and backward to stand away from the page or pull back from the plane of the sheet until the desired dimension is achieved.

Note: Instructions and materials are based on a class size of 24 students. Adjust as needed.

Preparation

1. Cut the Strathmore 500 Series Bristol Board in half. Each student will need one 15″ x 20″ sheet.

Materials (required)

Strathmore 500 Series Bristol Board, single sheet, vellum, 20″ x 30″, 4-ply (13309-1023); need twelve sheets across class
Niji Aquarelle Watercolor Pan Set, assorted colors, set of 36 pans (00334-1369); share one set between two students
Blick Studio Artists’ Colored Pencils, assorted colors, set of 36 (22063-0369); share one set between four students
Blick Stainless Steel Ruler, 18″ (56009-1018); need one per student
Bienfang Gridded Paper, 11″ x 17″ 4 × 4 grid, 50 sheet pad (10613-1016); need one sheet per student
Saral Wax Free Transfer Paper, White, 12″ x 3 ft, 4 sheets (12917-1012); share 4 packages across class
Fiskars Premier Softgrip Titanium Scissors, 8″ (57664-1018); need one per student
Lineco Bone Paper Folder, small, 6″ x 7/8″ (12964-0001); need one per student

Optional Materials:

Slice Ceramic Precision Cutter, (57527-1050)
X-Acto #1 Knife, (57445-1101)

Process

Position the paper horizontally on a drawing board. Stretch the paper, using masking tape around the perimeter of the sheet to attach it to the drawing board. This will minimize any wrinkling or warping of the Bristol board when watercolor is applied.
Measure 1.5 inches in from the left and right side of the page. Make registration marks at each corner of the page.
Measure up 4 inches from the bottom of the page. Again, make registration marks in each corner.
The area inside these registration marks should be 11″ x 17″, centered at the top of the page. This is the size of the graph paper that will be used to help plan cuts and folds. The area outside these marks should still be painted, but keep in mind they are areas that will not be folded.
Use Niji Aquarelle Watercolor to create a landscape painting.
When the painting is dry, use Blick Studio Colored Pencils to add details and texture.
Determine elements of the composition that are in the foreground and background, such as rolling hills or trees.
Prepare a cutting guide using graph paper and sting. First, place the graph paper on top of the painting, within the initial registration marks. Trace the main elements of the composition onto the graph paper in pencil. Remove from the original painting.
Cut approximately 50, 20-inch lengths of string or embroidery floss.
Use the grid of the graph paper to lay the strings vertically. Attach to at the top and bottom of the page with tape. Move across the page, lining up with the blue gridline of the paper.
The strings can now be used to show the effects of cut lines. Use a finger, pen, or the ruler to pull stings out in areas of the composition that are in the foreground. Where the string is pulled out will show how the piece would look if folded there. Use masking tape over the strings to hold them to the paper at different points to experiment with where the cut lines should end.
Make notes on the graph paper to show where to cut, and where to fold. It is helpful to use a solid line to denote cuts, and a horizontal dash line to show where to fold.
Transfer the registration marks made for cutting and folding to the watercolor using white transfer paper.
Remove the watercolor from the board.
To make the cut lines with scissors, carefully fold at the horizontal marker and cut though both sides of the paper. Once a small slit has been made, the paper can be unfolded and the full line can be cut. Advanced students can leave the watercolor mounted and use a precision cutter or X-acto knife to cut strips.
Continue until all cuts have been made.
Heavily score the fold lines with a bone folder.
Now its time to “pop” out the piece. Carefully pull away the cut strips, creasing again at the fold lines.
If the piece is having trouble standing and staying upright, extra support can be added. Cut a piece of matboard the length of the paper (20 inches) and double the size of the base. Glue the matboard to the base of the kirigami painting. A cardboard easel can also be attached to the of the standing portion of the piece to keep it upright. Keep in mind, the Bristol board is thick, and unless it is having trouble standing up this step will not be needed.