Papercut Puppetry: Tell Stories with Light and Shadow
A course by Noe ArataPapercut Artist
A course by Noe Arata, Papercut Artist
Learn to create a small papercut tableau and bring your stories to life through shadow play
Want to retell your favorite tales with paper and light? Find out how with paper cutting artist Noe Arata. In her first course, Paper Cutting: Create Paper Scenes with Depth, she provides an introduction to this art form.
In this online course, she teaches you how to craft a small shadow-puppet theater, from building the stage and making static and articulated figures to basic notions of lighting. By the end, you'll have the tools to put on a show with paper cut-outs and a light source.
What will you learn in this online course?
22 lessons & 28 downloads
Materials
16 minutes, 42 seconds
Story and Scenes
16 minutes, 21 seconds
The Altarpiece: Molds and Structure 1
13 minutes, 41 seconds
The Altarpiece: Molds and Structure 2
13 minutes, 37 seconds
The Altarpiece: Screens and Guides 1
12 minutes, 51 seconds
The Altarpiece: Screens and Guides 2
19 minutes, 42 seconds
What's included in this course?
Meet your teacher for the course, Noe Arata. Hear about her professional career, her interests, and the artists who have inspired her work.
Begin with an overview of the materials you need for your project, followed by an introduction to the tradition of shadow play and its variations from around the world. Then, choose a story and sketch a storyboard to map out your ideas.
See how to build a small cardboard structure for the stage using templates, as well as how to craft elaborate cut-out scenery. Noe shows you her techniques and how to make your setting more dynamic by adding color and moving parts.
Next, learn basic concepts about light before creating static figures, articulated puppets, and other elements to project on the screen. Trace and transfer your designs to paper or other materials you've chosen, cut them out, and assemble all the pieces.
Complete your stage by adding floating elements and action! Now you've got all the pieces to put on a show. As a bonus, Noe shows you how to turn your set into a lamp with a few simple modifications.
What is this course's project?
Create a small shadow-puppet theater with multiple characters and scenes using paper-cutting techniques.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Illustration and design professionals, as well as anyone who wants to explore shadow play and paper cutting.
Requirements and materials
No prior knowledge is necessary to take this course. The basic materials you need are:
⦁ different types of paper ⦁ cutting tools ⦁ wooden dowels ⦁ glue ⦁ wire and pliers ⦁ a light source
Reviews
- 2 months ago
Excelente
- 4 months ago
Me parece un curso genial y muy bien explicado.
- 4 months ago
Curso incrível. Detalhado, cheio de referências. Estou encantada com a riqueza de possibilidades que o curso proporciona. Eu gostava de usar teatro de sombras para contar histórias e este curso com certeza vai elevar o nível das minhas apresentações.
- 6 months ago
Hola super recomendado, te dan todos los archivos para crear tu propio teatro de sombras,ademas la explicaciones es muy clara y fácil de desarrollar paso a paso.
- 6 months ago
Muy buen curso, te guía en cada aspectos de la técnica, sin descuidar ningún aspecto. Recomiendo para bien el curso, ya que te brinda herramientas del papercut combinado con el juego de títeres de sombras.
She says she does what she does "because it's what my body wants" and it is this innate passion that has led her to carry out projects for L'Oréal, Lancôme, Kiehls, Isadora, Brother, Olfa, Rapsodia, Ver, Campari, Yagmour, Natura, Ohlala, Pesqueira, and more. She has also collaborated with event managers on events for MALBA, Cartier, and Calandra.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Influences
- U2
The materials and the story
- Materials
- The Game of Shadows in the World
- Story and Scenes
- U3
Development of the Altarpiece and the Scenery
- The Altarpiece: Molds and Structure 1
- The Altarpiece: Molds and Structure 2
- The Altarpiece: Screens and Guides 1
- The Altarpiece: Screens and Guides 2
- The Scenery: Molds and Composition Resources 1
- The Scenery: Molds and Composition Resources 2
- The Scenery: Complete Sheets With Mobile Element 1
- The Scenery: Complete Sheets With Mobile Element 2
- The Scenery: Complete Sheets With Mobile Element 3
- The Scenery: Floating Elements 1
- The Scenery: Floating Elements 2
- U4
Mobile Elements and Altarpiece in Action
- The Light
- Static Silhouette
- Silhouette With Joints
- Elements for Light Projection
- Scenes in Action 1
- Scenes in Action 2
- FP
Final project
- Papercut Puppetry: Tell Stories with Light and Shadow
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FAQs
Papercut is a paper-cutting technique used to create figures and scenes. In shadow theater, it’s used to design silhouettes and characters that, when lit, cast shadows to visually tell stories.
This course is aimed at people with basic crafting skills but doesn’t require expertise. You’ll learn step-by-step from designing to building shadow boxes and figures.
You’ll need papers of various thicknesses, cardboard, a precision craft knife, utility knife, bone folder, glue, tape, a lamp or light source, plus some extra materials for details and finishing touches.
You’ll learn how to create characters and scenes with papercut, build an illuminated shadow box, experiment with shadow projection, design animated compositions, and make decorative paper lamps.
The course teaches how to select stories, adapt scenes, and design silhouette characters, incorporating cultural and literary references to enrich the visual storytelling of each project.
It’s recommended to use opaque paper for silhouettes and translucent materials for color effects. For lighting, a focused lamp creates sharp shadows, while diffused lights produce softer shadows.
Yes, the course covers techniques for cutting, assembling, and articulating silhouettes, allowing you to create characters and movable objects that can be manipulated during performances.