What are the characteristics of paper cutting?

There are two kinds of paper-cuts, one is cut with scissors, and the other is carved with a meat cleaver. Because their artistic features are very close in form, some of them are almost indistinguishable, so they are collectively called "paper-cutting".

Paper-cutting belongs to plastic arts, and its form can not be separated from the full play of specific tools and materials. Because if you want to cut (or carve) a picture on paper instead of drawing it with strokes, you must hollow out the paper and the lines must be connected with each other to make the cut picture stick together. In this way, on the basis of hollowing out, there are two effects of "connection" and "disconnection", which form the unique artistic characteristics of paper-cutting. The former is called positive engraving and the latter is called negative engraving.

Paper-cutting has a strong decorative significance. Although not as subtle as painting, the flowers, insects, fish, birds and figures cut out on the plane all have a simple and exaggerated beauty. Its unique "knife cutting flavor" is not easy to do with a brush. Because of this, it is not gorgeous, fresh in taste and pure in feelings, and it is the reproduction of workers' loyal and honest character.