How is shadow play made?

The production process of shadow play is complex, including skin selection, skin making, manuscript (drawing pattern), cutting, painting, sweating and ironing, knotting, finishing and other 18 processes.

Sketch (of a painting)

The first is the draft, that is, different images are designed according to the different identities and personalities of the characters, but this design has certain procedures, such as the warrior decorated with a warrior towel, the general tied a towel, and the marshal wore a soaring helmet. Prime ministers wear mink, and civilian officials wear plates; Men are divided into unnecessary, short beard and three beards according to their age.

The design of figures in shadow play often reflects personality on the face and emphasizes * * * in clothing. Therefore, a shadow play class often has one or two thousand shadow plays, while only a few hundred shadow plays. When performing, according to the needs of the plot, you can insert different avatars in the trunks of different identities. There is a jargon in the shadow play class called "seven heads in one", which is the scene. But a woman's head generally doesn't change, probably for the beauty and smoothness of the lines.

material

Shadow play is made of sheepskin or cowhide. Hair is removed, oil is scraped off, and then nailed to a board to dry tightly. The designed drawings are copied on these skins. Generally, fine leather is for women or children, while coarse leather is for military commanders or fools.

Colour ...

Coloring is a step in the production of shadow play. Different colors are applied according to different characters and costumes, and a character is a meticulous and colorful Chinese painting.

Topcoat

In order not to fade and increase transparency, the finished shadow play must be coated with a layer of varnish.

Sewing seam

Because the characters in shadow play are dismembered, it is necessary to sew up all parts of the body with thread, put a feather tube on the back and put it in a bamboo stick. According to the usual way, a character only needs two sticks, and there are as many as four or five complicated bodies. It is said that an old master can even move his eyelids. The finished shadow play can be used for performance.