Traditional skill paper-cutting

According to the identity of paper-cutting artists, it can be divided into three categories, one is "female red paper-cutting", the other is "craftsman paper-cutting" and the third is "literati paper-cutting". Three people with different identities, three different understandings of paper-cutting and three different ways of cutting have obviously formed three different styles and characteristics.

First, women's red paper-cutting is more suitable for folk women because the main tool used is scissors. Its material selection is extensive, its composition is casual, but its connectivity is strong, and it pays great attention to compactness, symmetry and symmetry, and pays attention to scattered perspective. Most of the works of "needle and thread paper cutting" are "window flowers", "happy flowers" and various needle and thread patterns.

Second, craftsmen cut paper. In the past, in addition to blacksmiths and carpenters, there was another kind of craftsman called "papermaker". Papermakers use scissors and carving knives at the same time, and are often invited to paste kang compartments and ceiling sheds, cut some wall flowers and ceiling flowers, and also cut some paper banners and paper money for some funeral and sacrificial activities. In addition, every New Year, they will also carve a large number of paper-cuts such as hanging money, hanging and window grilles with knives and sell them in the market. The material selection and composition of "Artisan Paper-cut" are mostly patterns passed down by teachers, with little innovation, but "Artisan Paper-cut" needs mass production, so it pays more attention to techniques.

Third, literati paper-cutting In the past, there were very few people who could write and draw. Among those who could write and draw, there were even fewer people interested in paper-cutting. Due to the contempt and contempt of the upper rulers of the past dynasties for folk paper-cutting, only some down-and-out literati have exerted their talents in the art of paper-cutting. "Literati paper-cutting" uses a carving knife and a carving plate. In terms of techniques, it pays more attention to the transformation and combination of intaglio and positive engraving on the basis of the principles of intaglio and positive engraving. In composition, we skillfully use scattered perspective and focus perspective, combine freehand brushwork with realism, draw lessons from calligraphy, painting, sculpture and other artistic techniques, and integrate literati's understanding and perception of paper-cut art into paper-cut works.