Pop UP Art

Pop-Up & Paper Engineering is a new skill I have been challenged to learn this year. Paper is not just for notes and drawings; it can MOVE to animate art.

Pop-Up art uses skills in geometry & origami while using cutting tools on various papers to design & animate paper.

The first techniques for moving paper were for contemplation during the 1300s and were a tool to reveal the various truths in knowledge. A book created in 1543, 'De Humani Corporis Fabrica Librorum Epitome' by Andreas Vesalius,  is used to help medical students understand the body in medical textbooks using various paper mechanics to reveal what lies under the skin. During the 1800s paper mechanics hit the mainstream as an amusing animated way to tell a story. Paper engineering continues today, developing paper folding & cutting techniques that delight and encourage interaction with the reader.

To read more about the history of pop-up mechanics...

• x-acto blades of various sizes
• glossy & matt finished photo paper
• art colored heavyweight 65lb. paper by Strathmore
• Scotch quick-drying Tacky Glue
• E6000 Flexible & paintable transparent glue
• Copic Ink Pens
• Plastic cover sheets for books (Staples)
• zigzag scissors
• hole punch

Creating the pop-up butterflies took me a week of working out my patterns & drawings, with continual snipping and sticking, until I figured out how to make the butterflies work properly. I colored with Copic Inks the plastic book covers bought at Staples to get a stained-glass appearance in the butterflies' wings. When the card is open and the light strikes the card, the wing's colors will reflect on the glossy white photo paper underneath the butterfly.

 Watching a YouTube video on how to make a pop-up butterfly sparked my creativity. I drew my own pattern and made it work in the desired size. I prefer cutting my paper art by hand, as it gives a unique touch. My cutting skills are improving, and the handmade look is just fine by me. Remember, it's all about the joy of experimenting and finding your own style!

COVER art for card Butterfly Modern

 

When cutting into paper, one ends up with lots of positive and negative shapes to use as abstract designs. I enjoy arranging the cut scraps into a design for the card covers. No waste and lots of shapes to use!

The plastic book covers I bought from Staples are cut up and colored with Copic ink pens, making for a stained-glass effect that reflects onto the glossy white photo paper, and I am happy with that result.

I like how the butterfly pops up off the paper. The butterfly pattern has 3 layers and is very sturdy. The card can be laid flat or on its edges for display.

'Butterfly Monarch' was created using colored art paper resembling the Monarch butterfly. It does not reflect, but the colors are bold and striking against the dark green butterfly outline.

Good old hole punches and Zigzag scissors give my paper edges a decorative quality. Now I am on the search for more cutting tools!

After the butterfly motif, I was ready for a new challenge. A design requested for a man, something abstract and funky. 'JAZZ HANDS' was born, expressing a moving gesture with its twirl of orange paper. Trained in both Jazz & Contemporary dance, the JAZZ HANDS has a history within the music, dance & theatre world. Creating unique designs like this is what makes this craft so satisfying and rewarding.

Creating the moving spiral, I cut in a circular motion into the art paper, which will have each end stuck on opposite sides of the card, so it will pop out across the hand. I added more of my favorite spiral shapes for details, and one blue butterfly that is attached to the large spiral, so it moves like music with its nuances.

My very first pop-up was the flower design which came from watching this video instruction below. There are several versions of it on YouTube:

My very first pop-up was the flower design, inspired by a video instruction. To make it unique, I created my own paper using Copic inks on glossy photo paper. The folding techniques were challenging, and I had several failures before figuring out the method of gluing the tips of each flower. Remember, it's all part of the learning process. Embrace the journey and keep improving your skills! 

I recommend creating your first patterns with cheaper paper until you figure it out. Nothing works out the first time around, and at the end of a session, I will have samples to remind me when I move into new design skills.

I cut out some corner designs for the card edges, showcasing the front cover. 

I like the playful modern design I created with Copic inks on photo paper for a POP of color!

May you POP UP your art!