papercutting
Shaping sheets decoratively
Papercutting is the art of cutting decorative designs from paper, typically using scissors or a knife.
The craft appears across many cultures—Chinese jianzhi, Polish wycinanki, German scherenschnitte—each with distinctive patterns and techniques.
Designs range from simple silhouettes to intricate lace-like compositions.
The term also covers the finished artwork: She framed the papercutting her grandmother made.
Filled-in outline shape
- kirigamiCut-and-fold paper sculpture
- stencilCutout pattern for painting
- cutoutShape removed from material
- layeringForming successive strata
folding · piercing · perforating · scoring · creasing · weaving · lattice · symmetrical
Elaborately detailed, many parts
- delicateEasily broken or harmed
- detailedFull of specifics
- preciseExactly correct, no error
- fineAcceptable in quality
lacy · ornate · fragile · gossamer · filigree · meticulous · elaborate · airy
Precise surgical knife
- scissorsPivoted twin-blade cutter
- straightedgeLine-drawing tool
- rulerOne who governs
- templatePreset pattern for reproduction
Of or like blooms
- geometricRelating to mathematical shapes
- animalMulticellular motile organism
- botanicalRelated to plants
- scrollworkSpiral ornamental design
arabesque · symmetry · mandala · snowflake · butterfly · bird · dragon · phoenix
For beauty, not function
- embellishmentDecorative addition or exaggeration
- adornmentDecorative addition or accessory
- mobileCapable of movement
- lanternEnclosed portable light
garland · shadowbox · invitation · illustration · framed · installation · backdrop
Rigid paper material
silhouette
Filled-in outline shape
- kirigamiCut-and-fold paper sculpture
- stencilCutout pattern for painting
- cutoutShape removed from material
layering · folding · piercing · perforating · scoring · creasing · weaving · lattice · symmetrical · freehand
intricate
Elaborately detailed, many parts
fine · lacy · ornate · fragile · gossamer · filigree · meticulous · elaborate · airy · translucent
scalpel
Precise surgical knife
- scissorsPivoted twin-blade cutter
- straightedgeLine-drawing tool
- rulerOne who governs
floral
Of or like blooms
- geometricRelating to mathematical shapes
- animalMulticellular motile organism
- botanicalRelated to plants
scrollwork · arabesque · symmetry · mandala · snowflake · butterfly · bird · dragon · phoenix · vine
Matisse
French fauvism founder
ornamental
For beauty, not function
- embellishmentDecorative addition or exaggeration
- adornmentDecorative addition or accessory
- mobileCapable of movement
lantern · garland · shadowbox · invitation · illustration · framed · installation · backdrop
cardstock
Rigid paper material
folk-art
Traditional community craftsmanship
- ceremonialRelating to formal rites
- festivalOrganized public celebration
- zodiacCelestial belt of signs
- art techniquespainting, drawing, sketching, shading, blending
- symbolssymbols, runes, symbol, asterisks, national symbol
- folk craftsbasketry, basket weaving, quilting, quilts, embroidery
- regional decorative artsfolk crafts, folk art, quilts, quilting, pottery
papercuttingorigami
Sculptural paper-creasing art
paper folding · paper weaving · quilling · decoupage · collage
papercuttingcollage
Assembled mixed-media artwork
assemblage · modeling · clay sculpting · papier-mâché · construction
paper, cutting, newspaper, papers, cutter, newspapers, papered, cutlery, papyrus