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Rather than rely on just one piece of paper, Yulia Brodskaya uses hundreds to create her unique portraits. The paper quilling artist has pioneered a unique style that involves rolling, shaping, and gluing colorful strips of paper to a canvas. These bundles form swirls, patterns, and facial features, which in turn gives these portraits a noticeably three-dimensional quality.

Over the past year, Brodskaya has developed a series in which she portrays the “people of Gaia”—a hopeful vision of what people will be like in the future. To do this, she draws on imagery from the past, looking at different cultures from around the world. “These paper portraits are an attempt to visualize this uplifting version of the future, and most of all this is a personal exploration of how this new reality would feel like, and how it would feel to interact with a human being from this version of the future,” Brodskaya tells My Modern Met.

In her iconic style, Brodskaya layers countless strips of paper on the canvas to slowly construct the faces of these individuals. This involves stacking them in various ways, forming circles, and even braiding them. “This is a future where we, as a collective, have healed our past, released the pain and integrated all the lessons that brought us all here to this moment in time,” Brodskaya explains. Some of the common themes layered within these portraits are the sun and moon, flora, and animals, all of which hint at a future of humanity that is more in tune with our planet.

You can learn more about Brodskaya's paper quilling art by purchasing her book, Painting with Paper, and see what she’s working on next by following her on Instagram.

Paper artist Yulia Brodskaya creates amazing portraits.

She uses a paper quilling technique to layer numerous strips of paper.

Brodskaya bends, folds, stacks, carves, and glues these pieces of paper to her canvas.

This meticulous process helps her create facial features, patterns, and other imagery.

Her latest series of portraits imagines what people will be like in the future.

Brodskaya is inspired by the past and different cultures.

Her vision of the future is one of hope, where people are more unified.

Watch how Brodskaya creates these portraits:

 

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Un post condiviso da Yulia Brodskaya (@yulia_brodskaya_artyulia)

 

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Un post condiviso da Yulia Brodskaya (@yulia_brodskaya_artyulia)

 

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Un post condiviso da Yulia Brodskaya (@yulia_brodskaya_artyulia)

Yulia Brodskaya: Website | Instagram | Facebook

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Yulia Brodskaya.

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READ: Beautiful Paper Quilled Portraits of a Diverse Population in a Hopeful Future

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Japanese artist Seiji Tsukimoto uses kirigami techniques to craft pop-up cards unlike any other. At first glance, they appear like flat ovals with numerous different folds and cuts  in the paper. However, by applying pressure to the sides, the card magically transforms into a sphere, and all of the precise carvings turn into figures, animals, and settings.

Tsukimoto shows off his creations in videos. These short clips demonstrate how interactive his pop-up cards are, and how they go from flat to 3D in a matter of seconds. Amazingly, the gifted artist renders each one without the use of glue. Instead, he cuts multiple pieces of white paper with small niches for sliding the different parts together. He slowly builds up the layers needed to create the dense illustration.

With this meticulous approach to card-making, Tsukimoto has produced a range of designs. They include birthday cards with human silhouettes sitting at a tea party or dancing, as well as holiday cards celebrating Christmas and Halloween. Some of the finished products even have a kinetic element, like a wheel that the user can spin. It's these little touches that make the pop-up cards even more fascinating to look at.

You can purchase the designs for Tsukimoto's cards via his online shop, and learn how to make his paper art with the help of his tutorial book.

Japanese artist Seiji Tsukimoto creates amazing pop-up cards.

新しい球体ポップアップカードです！
本日から二日間デザインフェスタに出展します。
・ブースi-199#デザフェス pic.twitter.com/dkqEjDJXLZ

— 月本せいじ (@TsukimotoSeiji) May 21, 2022

He uses kirigami techniques to craft each piece of cut paper.

Then he assembles the spherical cards without the use of glue.

Each card starts out flat, and by just pressing at each end, it transforms into a 3D shape.

Some of these cards have figures that can even be moved.

Seiji Tsukimoto: Website | Facebook | YouTube

All images via Seiji Tsukimoto.

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Rather than creating a work of art from one sheet of paper, artist Margaret Scrinkl uses several. By layering multiple cutouts, she creates miniature worlds that are full of abundance. From cabins nestled in the woods to foxes huddled around a campfire, these playful compositions are full of whimsy.

Scrinkl also documents every part of her creative process. Each work begins by carving the needed shapes from different colored sheets of paper, using either a precision knife, a pair of scissors, or a combination of the two. Once all of the individual pieces have been made, Scrinkl assembles them together with glue and tape. This adds much-needed details to the subjects, such as windows to houses, or the white fur pattern of a fox. In fact, any color variation in the artwork has to be applied separately, making this approach extra meticulous.

The end result, however, is well worth the effort. Scrinkl's crisp cartoonish style makes these charming scenes burst with life. They are so perfectly rendered that it is not immediately apparent that they are made solely from cut paper. And the fact that the characters and settings are nestled inside a frame cut out of a larger piece of paper makes viewing these scenes all the more special. Each one is a small self-contained portal for us to peer into.

You can purchase prints of Scrinkl's work via her online shop, and keep up to date with her latest projects by following her Instagram.

Artist Margaret Scrinkl creates miniature worlds with paper.

She cuts different colored sheets of paper and layers them together.

Each piece slowly adds more dimension to the scene.

When it's done, the paper layers come together to create a full-fledged picture.

Oftentimes, Scrinkl's work begins by creating a border from a larger piece of paper.

She then fills the opening with different paper characters.

And she adds plenty of floral details along the way.

Her style is so crisp and clean it is hard to tell that it is paper!

Watch Scrinkl's full process in these videos:

Margaret Scrinkl: Website | Behance | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Margaret Scrinkl.

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“DAVID,” based on Boice Wong's “Looking Beyond”, folded by @mayuncchigami, wenzhou, 55x55cm

Widely regarded as the most famous statue in the world, almost everyone can recognize Michelangelo's David. While we are accustomed to seeing it in its marble form, some artists have reimagined its likeness into new and varied mediums. Artist @mayuncchigami has recreated this masterpiece as a highly detailed origami using only one square sheet of paper.

The intricate piece features many of the same features of the original artwork, including realistic anatomy and the contrapposto stance. The artist began the project with a crease pattern created by Boice Wong, which provides a basic structure for the model. However, instead of following it to a T, @mayuncchigami incorporated his own vision, wanting to amplify the realism, particularly the musculature of David. “My goal was to both recreate Michelangelo's statue as closely as I could with origami, but also try something that is very much unlike anything you would typically encounter in origami,” he tells My Modern Met.

Prior to commencing the project, @mayuncchigami prepared a 55 x 55 cm (21.7-square-inch) wenzhou paper (a type of material made out of mulberry bark) by treating it with methylcellulose, which makes the paper stiffer and more resistant to tearing. Afterward, he followed the pattern to create the basic structure. “Here is when I started to experiment with shaping the various skeletal muscles,” he explains. “I roughly sketched out my shaping, first by tracing the lines and shapes into the paper with my fingers and tweezers to get a feeling of the overall form and position of the various details until I am satisfied.” Manipulating the paper in this way also led to an organic, crinkling texture that helped amplify the anatomical features.

@mayuncchigami also added white glue between the layers of paper to prevent it from splaying and to allow the shapes to set in more permanently. The most difficult element, he said, was the head, as it required much more precision to render the face correctly. “David is the current culmination of that style where I try to sculpt a very realistic looking humanoid origami that radiates poetic drama,” he adds.

Scroll down to see more photos of this incredible paper sculpture, and follow @mayuncchigami on Instagram to keep up to date with his latest work.

Artist @mayuncchigami recreated Michelangelo's David entirely with paper.

The pattern is based on Boice Wong's Looking Beyond, a blueprint of the basic structure of David.

@mayuncchigami used this crease pattern as the foundation for his more sculptural approach.

He mimics the realism of the Renaissance sculpture by folding and creasing the wenzhou paper.

The final piece measures just 10 x 10 cm (about 3.9 x 3.9 inches).

@mayuncchigami: Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by @mayuncchigami.

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Vintage textiles are reimagined in paper form through stunning creations by Ibbini Studio. Based in Abu Dhabi, artist Julia Ibbini and computer scientist Stéphane Noyer have merged their expertise into a unique practice that combines contemporary digital design with traditional craftsmanship. Their series of sculptural works feature ornamental motifs from an array of sources, stretching from antique Persian carpets to Japanese cloisonné vases.

Ibbini and Noyer have collaborated since 2017, resulting in a diverse portfolio of highly intricate pieces cut from thin sheet materials. Some of their most recent works are made from layers of individually cut paper. Each sheet is cut with a laser and then layered together with a complex collaging method.

“Even though we use machines extensively during the production process, the pieces always start from hand-drawn elements, and the end result is always assembled by hand, which can take hundreds of hours and as much skill as the rest of the process,” Ibbini explains to My Modern Met. “I want the work to have that element of being crafted—that someone's hand was there. There is something quite beautiful in that.”

Some of the designs feature perforations so fine and delicate that they resemble lace. Others possess a high-relief quality due to the dense layering, creating mesmerizing textures and curves that attract the eye. “Our work combines contemporary digital design and traditional craftsmanship with extreme intricacy, exploring themes such as historical ornament and pattern using algorithms and new technologies,” Ibbini says. “A specific focus is the creation of visual complexity, either through repetition of simple motifs, elaborate geometric construction, or accumulation of ornamental detail in order to create highly intricate pieces.”

To see more of Ibbini Studio’s remarkable work, you can visit their website or follow them on Instagram and Facebook.

Abu Dabi-based Ibbini Studio combines digital design with traditional craftsmanship.

Their series of sculptural reliefs are made from laser-cut paper.

Each sheet of paper is cut individually before being hand-assembled in a complex collaging process.

This results in highly intricate pieces full of geometric designs.

Ibbini Studio: Website | Instagram | Facebook

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Ibbini Studio.

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We normally think of paper as a delicate material, but Maude White demonstrates its durability through her series of paper cutouts. The self-taught artist carves into single sheets of paper and creates numerous cuts and perforations until she achieves intricate portraits of plants and animals that are as dainty as they are awe-inspiring.

Currently based in the Hudson Valley of New York, White has been honing her craft for over a decade. Her portfolio ranges from large flora to depictions of animals big and small, including elephants and mice. “Although it may seem flimsy and easily damaged, paper ultimately holds such strength and, when used to create art, it can convey such meaning and beauty,” she tells My Modern Met. “I love cutting paper because a seemingly flat piece of paper can suddenly acquire dimension and depth when it is cut. The play of light through cut paper is also always a beautiful revelation and discovery.”

While her material is limited to paper and the tools she uses, White finds ways of conveying different textures through her cutting process. Amazingly, even when the paper is thinned to an extremely fine strand, it remains connected to the rest of the sheet. “I find my best inspiration in nature and the animal world,” she adds. “I love the delicate tracery of veins in flowers and leaves, the wrinkles in elephant skin, the texture of wove strands of hair or water. Magical!”

White published a book titled Brave Birds, which features 65 paper cutouts of different birds. Her exquisite art also decorates a deck of inspirational cards titled Resilience Alchemy, which is designed to help empower people's lives. Scroll down to see more of her work, and then be sure to follow White on Instagram to keep up to date with her latest projects.

Artist Maude White creates exquisite paper cutouts.

Each of these pieces is rendered with masterful precision.

White recreates the texture of flower petals, leaves, and animal fur using only a scalpel and paper.

Additionally, she manages to complete these works without breaking the paper.

Maude White: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Maude White.

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While typically used as a vehicle for artistic media, the creative possibilities of paper in and of itself can't be overlooked. Origami artist Chris Conrad knows this very well. He is known for his intricate origami sculptures made out of a single sheet of paper. One of his latest and most impressive pieces is a dragon slayer created from an uncut square of 27.5 inch (70 centimeter) painted Wenzhou paper. The work is so full of detail that, at first sight, it looks like a 3D-printed sculpture or a clay creation.

“This was a blast to fold”, writes Conrad on Instagram. “I made a ton of modifications while shaping, including adding a face, adding the sheath, shaped scales, totally changed the torso armor, plus minor tweaks to the dragon's head, wings, sword, arms, and legs.” Originally designed by Matthew Winnagun, the dragon hunter features a creature-shaped helmet, wings, and patterned armor.

Given that these sorts of origami sculptures take around 15 hours of careful folding to be completed, Conrad is well acquainted with the patience needed to thrive at this craft. “I usually go through at least two or three iterations before I find proportions and details that I'm satisfied with,” he previously told My Modern Met. “Sometimes I get it right the first time and the whole design process takes only a couple hours, other times I've worked on-and-off for a month or more to get something to work just how I want.”

All of this care and attention to detail pays off. “My favorite detail has to be the pupils in the eyes, which I plan to use in my own work going forward,” says the artist. “I think this might be my best non-original interpretive work to date.”

Origami artist Chris Conrad folded an amazing origami sculpture of a dragon hunter from a single sheet of paper.

Take a look at some of his other origami sculptures:

Chris Conrad: Instagram | KoFi

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Chris Conrad. 

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In the hands of an artist, paper can be anything. Ann Wood of Woodlucker sees the immense potential in the material and uses it to recreate nature. Known for her realistic paper blooms, she crafts beautiful bouquets, delicate winged insects, and more recently, fantastic fungi. Each sculpture is handmade, but you wouldn’t realize it; Wood is a master at creating the exquisite textures of her subjects that bring them to life.

Wood’s work is informed by what’s around her. “Nature is an endless source of inspiration,” she tells My Modern Met, and she ensures that it is readily available to her. “I am an avid gardener and grow models of what I create in paper during the summer. Right now, I am reading and learning more about mushrooms to help me understand their intricate details.”

In an illuminating Instagram reel, Wood gives a peek into her process of making a log for a bunch of paper mushrooms to sit on. She takes a walk outdoors to do research on what a partially moss-covered branch looks like before creating her own and attaching the fungi to it. When compared with what she found outdoors, the similarities are uncanny.

Scroll down to see some of Wood’s latest pieces, and follow her on Instagram to see what she’s working on next.

Ann Wood of Woodlucker creates amazing mushroom sculptures out of paper.

She conveys the delicate textures that bring the fungi to life.

In addition to mushrooms, Wood also creates paper sculptures of insects, florals, fruits, and vegetables.

“Nature is an endless source of inspiration,” she tells My Modern Met.

Wood shares a peek into her research in an illuminating Instagram reel:

 

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A post shared by Ann Wood @Woodlucker/paper art (@woodlucker)

Ann Wood: Website | Instagram 

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Ann Wood.

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Photo: TypePunchMatrix
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Today, virtual reality technology involves putting on some sort of headset that can transform the world around you, from creating an immersive experience out of the Mona Lisa to seeing wilderness from the perspective of wildlife animals. But did you know there were similar experiences in the 19th century that could transport you across the world? A popular Reddit post has recently introduced many to the inventive art form that kept audiences entertained for centuries, known as paper peepshows. These paper crafts were used to mark historic events, like the Queen's coronation, but can also be easily made at home.

What are paper peepshows?

Paper peepshows, also known as peek-a-boo books, peepshow books, and tunnel books, are a special form of immersive storytelling. They’re made up of several pages bound together by folded pieces of paper on each side. When folded out, these books are accordion-looking. Each page is carefully crafted with cutouts to reveal the page behind it, adding to the illusion of depth and perspective. The viewer looks through the small hole in the front, enveloping themselves in a tiny, three-dimensional scene that feels life-sized.

 

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A post shared by Allie Alvis (@book_historia)

Allie Alvis, a book collector and historian, shares an example of a tunnel book from 1830 that transports viewers to Paris for a quick promenade. The book’s incredibly illustrated five pages provide a glimpse at what outdoor social life looked like for Parisians at the time. Its three peepholes allow for multiple vantage points of some of Paris’ most iconic landmarks, like the Arc de Triomphe. Alvis’ find has been re-shared on Reddit, where many are amazed by the craftsmanship and ingenuity. If you’re able to spare $2,500, you can purchase it on Etsy.

 

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A post shared by Pop up book collector (@popupapillon818)

Where do paper peepshows come from?

Photo: Theodor Hosemann via Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Paper peepshows such as Alvis’ are successors of the sturdier peepshows made out of wood or cardboard from the 18th century. As the Victoria and Albert Museum describes, traveling peepshow men “would charge adults and children to look inside the box, while commenting on the scene depicted and bringing it to life.” Peepshows were inspired by the theatrical stage and their movable set pieces. Paper peepshows became popular a century later in Europe, when optical devices and spectacles were trendy. Both versions of the enchanting art form would often depict moments in everyday life or historical events in a colorful, busy, and action-packed way.

Why are paper peepshows also called tunnel books?

Photo: Nichtbesserwisser via Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

A popular historical event in the 19th century that captivated a mass international audience was the building of the Tunnel Thames in London. Its construction lasted from 1825 to 1843, and its fame was captured in several forms of memorabilia, notably including paper peepshows. The Gestetner Collection has over 60 examples of the elaborate art form displaying the Tunnel Thames alone, hence its alternative name, tunnel book.

How to Make a Paper Peepshow

Many modern artists still use this art form today, such as Tara Bryan’s Down the Rabbit Hole, a transformation of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. Bryan’s piece is created using museum board, paper, thread, and fabric. Paper peepshows like this one can be easily created at home using cardstock, scissors, and glue. Other art supplies such as watercolors and pens can help make your piece some to life. Foxborough Art Pass provides the perfect template and directions for beginners wanting to explore this art form. The Victoria & Albert Museum in London has also created its own DIY tutorial with downloadable templates and instructions. For visual learners, Austin Parks & Recreation has an in-depth tutorial using printer paper to create a Bigfoot forest scene:

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Using just a single sheet of white paper, Parth Kothekar can create mesmerizing works of art. The India-based designer has been cutting, slicing, and manipulating paper for many years, producing intricate pieces inspired by nature, architecture, and beyond. His latest series transforms plain sheets of paper into optical illusions reminiscent of Dutch master M.C. Escher‘s iconic prints.

Unlike his previous works, which have focused on decorative details such as lace, this project explores a different potential of paper. Here, Kothekar taps into perspective and repeating patterns to produce compositions that captivate the eye. Just like Escher's art, these unique paper cut-outs distort space to create a continuous composition for viewers to immerse themselves in.

Amazingly, Kothekar manages to craft each of these masterpieces without relying on the assistance of glue or tape. Instead, he carefully plans his artworks so that the perforations stay contained within the same piece of paper. He folds certain sections backward to create larger openings so that light or the background color can pass through and add three-dimensionality to the environment.

You can purchase original art via Kothekar's Etsy shop, and keep up to date with his latest work by following him on Instagram.

Artist Parth Kothekar masterfully cuts white paper.

In his latest series, he transforms blank sheets of paper into optical illusions.

These topsy-turvy pieces feature repeating patterns that add to the mind-bending effect.

Parth Kothekar: Etsy | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Parth Kothekar.

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