Paper Cutting Illustration: Create Extraordinary Books
A course by Paz TamburriniIllustrator
A course by Paz Tamburrini, Illustrator
Push the boundaries of traditional books by creating a story illustrated in 3D
The very layout of a book can be a tool of creative exploration. The works of illustrator Paz Tamburrini, who specializes in using paper to transform the framework of the book into a narrative tool, have been published all around the world in editorials such as Edelvives, La brujita de papel, and Gerbera. In this course, learn how to make a carousel book: 3D paper compositions that transport the reader to another world.
Step out of traditional book formats and explore the creation of books through paper cutting techniques. Tell a 3D illustrated story with some simple cuts and folds to different types of paper.
What will you learn in this online course?
21 lessons & 21 downloads
Materiality of the Book
8 minutes, 59 seconds
Materials
11 minutes, 21 seconds
Introduction to the Technique of Cutwork on Paper 1
11 minutes, 48 seconds
Introduction to the Technique of Cutwork on Paper 2
14 minutes, 38 seconds
Harlequin Characters and Fanzine 1
15 minutes, 30 seconds
Harlequin Characters and Fanzine 2
9 minutes, 41 seconds
What's included in this course?
Paz Tamburrini welcomes you on this adventure through the world of books and paper. She talks about her journey so far, her favorite pieces, and her biggest influences.
Explore the narrative and illustrative possibilities that lay within the framework of a book. Analyze some examples where certain materials are used to aid the narrative and get to know the basic principles behind working with perforated, folded, and kraft papers.
Take a look at some different formats and structures, from the simplest to a few of the more complicated such as carousel books. Study some of the components of illustrated narrative: characters, scenes, and stories. Create a range of protagonists and setting features, and combine colors and shapes to build different environments.
Learn to create a modular carousel book. Decide how many scenes you want to portray and illustrate each segment of the diorama, working the images to create layered scenes. Paz shows you how to set each layer of the carousel and use color to add depth before assembling each segment.
Paz also teaches you how to make a folding carousel book; a combination of a pop-up and an accordion book, which provides a wealth of possibilities for linearity and circular narrative. Cut and fold strips of paper decorating them with detailed illustrations before setting and combining them to create a 3D story.
What is this course's project?
Create two variations of a carousel book that allow you to tell an illustrated story using paper cutting.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
All professional illustrators and visual artists as well as anyone passionate about craft or the world of paper.
Requirements and materials
No previous knowledge is necessary, but some basic notions of drawing and illustration will help.
In terms of materials, you need paper of varying grammage, a pencil, scissors, a craft knife, a cutting mat, a cutter, tracing paper, colored pencils, chalk, a compass, a square, card, and a few other items that your teacher will explain in more detail throughout the course.
Reviews
- 6 months ago
Corso molto interessante. Tanti spunti da prendere!
- 7 months ago
Me encanta este curso. Inspirador y valioso.
- 7 months ago
Corso interessante e chiaro. Mi ê piaciuta molto la possibilità di poter sperimentare due topi di progetto finali. Ogni tanto lo riguardo per nuovi spunti. Template di partenza molto utili.
- eneilydesignsPLUS9 months ago
Fascinating and fun! It is going to help me take my storytelling to a whole new level.
- 1 year ago
a well taught, interesting & helpful course
She studied a Master's in books and children's literature at the UAB and is just as fascinated by the theory of books as she is by the practical side of their creation. Her passion for turning the book itself into a narrative element led her to learn various paper engineering techniques which she uses to create pieces that awaken the curiosity of many different audiences.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- Presentation
- Influences
- U2
Materiality of the Book
- Materiality of the Book
- Materials
- Introduction to the Technique of Cutwork on Paper 1
- Introduction to the Technique of Cutwork on Paper 2
- U3
Explore the Materiality of the Book
- Harlequin Characters and Fanzine 1
- Harlequin Characters and Fanzine 2
- Environment or Scenery Elements 1
- Environment or Scenery Elements 2
- Combine Environment with Characters
- Choose Your Own Adventure
- U4
Modular Carousel Book
- Modular Carousel
- Illustrate the Carousel
- Let's Cut 1
- Let's Cut 2
- A Ride in a Carousel
- U5
Accordion Carousel Book
- Pull-Out Carousel
- Illustrate the drop-down carousel
- Let's Pierce and Assamble the Carousel 1
- Let's Pierce and Assamble the Carousel 2
- FP
Final project
- Paper Cutting Illustration: Create Extraordinary Books
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
Papercut is a technique that involves precisely cutting paper to create images and three-dimensional scenes. It’s used in illustrated books to add visual depth, interactivity, and storytelling through layers and cutouts.
The course is designed for people with basic crafting or illustration skills, as it covers intermediate papercut, piercing, and carousel book construction techniques.
You’ll need papers of various weights, an X-Acto knife or cutter, a ruler with a guard, a set square, a bone folder, carbon paper, precision glue, plus extras like scissors and templates.
You’ll learn paper piercing techniques, design and assembly of carousel books, miniature creation, color use, pop-up structures, 3D collage, and how to apply paper engineering principles for visual storytelling.
A carousel book is built with modules or pull-out strips that allow for non-linear paths and circular presentations. Its structure makes it easy to integrate layers, movement, and visual play.
The course teaches cutting techniques with an X-Acto knife, proper pressure and posture, precise tracing, use of templates, symmetrical cutting, and safety rules to prevent accidents.
Yes, the course equips you to create paper toys, 3D sets, and characters perfect for stop-motion and handcrafted animation projects.