Celebrating Fall With a Trio of Paper-Sculpted Gourds
This trio of gourds was a fun project to do. I wanted them to look as realistic as possible.
Sometimes I like the challenge of creating something as realistically as I possibly can out of paper. While visiting a local farm, I discovered so many interesting gourds in all different sizes and shapes. Of course I thought — that’s it! A great idea for a photo-realistic paper sculpture.
After purchasing many different varieties of gourds in all different shapes, sizes and colors, I had to narrow it down and decide which one I would try to mimic out of paper and paint. These are the three gourds I chose. I also decided to make them quite a bit smaller than the real-life gourds.
My favorite part of this design was adding the texture to the gourds — all those knobby lumps and bumps. I then painted the gourd after it was all shaped and formed to mimic the color of the ones I bought at the farm.
The paper sculpture that was the most challenging to make was the smoothest-looking gourd of the three. That surprised me as I thought it would be a breeze to make that one: Just glue down some paper, add some paint and it is done. But for some reason, it took some trial and error and many re-dos to get the smooth surface of the gourd correct. It kept getting lumpy and the seam where the two ends of the paper met kept showing up in an obvious way in all the wrong places. The trick is to hide your seams when you paper sculpt so that is doesn’t give your “secret” away that it is just made out of paper.
This trio of gourds was a fun project to do and I especially like hearing people be so surprised to discover they are paper gourds and not real gourds. The photos show the real gourd next to the paper gourds, which are completely three-dimensional and made entirely out of paper that I painted to give them a realistic look.
Making a 3D Coral Seascape Come to Life With Paper
I like creating 3D under-the-sea paper sculptures because I can add a lot of different textures and vibrant colors to the scene.
I like creating 3D under-the-sea paper sculptures because I can add a lot of different textures and vibrant colors to the scene, such as my design, “Coral Reef.” I also like making the sand out of paper – keeping the entire paper sculpture authentic –100% made out of paper.
For this colorful “Coral Reef” paper sculpture, I wanted to highlight the crab and the clown fish. I also wanted to intermix flat papers with three-dimensional pieces. For instance, the magenta and light purple coral on both sides of the illustration are 3D in that they come out of the flat papered background, but, the coral is made with flat paper.
In contrast, if you look closely at the 3D paper seashell (bottom left corner) and the paper crab, they are both a completely three-dimensional object that you can hold in your hand, prior to me attaching it to my “Coral Reef” illustration. Both the crab and the seashell are not a flat piece of paper but life-like mini versions of the real thing.
Another example is the fish. The yellow fish in the middle of the “Coral Reef'“ illustration are three-dimensional — coming out of the paper, not attached to the flat background — but the fish is painted on flat paper.
In contrast to the yellow fish are the completely 3D clown fish. Each one of the orange, black and white clown fish come out of the paper as individual components of the design. Their bodies are about one-quarter of an inch in width.
Can you tell if the blue fish in the background are completely three-dimensional or if they are made using a flat piece of paper?
Using a combination of flat papers and completely three-dimensional objects creates another element of dimension, texture, variation and interest to this colorful paper-sculpted “Coral Reef.” Plus, it was so much fun to create. I look forward to making another one in the future.
The original “Coral Reef” piece has already sold, but you can purchase a notebook with the coral reef art printed on the front cover in my shop on my website here. The coral reef art is also available on a mouse pad in my shop.
Why Norman Rockwell Is a Major Influence on My Artwork Goals
Norman Rockwell is just one of many illustrators that has influenced the type of art that I want to create.
One of the many things that I like about Norman Rockwell’s work is the subject matter. He depicted images of children playing — happy, pleasant scenes that often used humor within the illustrations to create images of an idyllic childhood.
Even though these scenes were most likely not what most people experienced growing up, it was certainly what people wished it was like or hoped it could be like. His illustrations make me feel happy and I imagine that his illustrations brought happiness to many people, even if only for a few minutes.
Of course I also like the character he was able to bring out in his models and the expressions on their faces. He was a master illustrator and had the ability to bring life into the characters he painted in his artwork.
Influenced by Norman Rockwell, I hope to be able to bring joy to people when they are viewing my art. My hope is that it will make them feel happy and hopefully make them smile. I like when someone looks at my paper sculptures and wonders, “How did she make that?” It creates a sense of fun.
Whether I am working on another Can You Find? hidden object puzzle or another paper sculpture illustration, one of my goals for my art is to make people happy and to create art that even your grandmother can view. Norman Rockwell is just one of many illustrators that has influenced the type of art that I want to create.
Lizard 'On the Rocks': Finding Inspiration In Unexpected Places
My travels out west is where I got the inspiration for this little lizard.
Inspiration can be everywhere. From everyday life to other artists’ works, to your travels. My travels out west is where I got the inspiration for this little lizard.
After visiting some of the western states, including California, Nevada, Arizona, and Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah, and seeing a completely different type of scenary. Much of the landscape I had seen on that trip out west was so different from anything I had ever seen before. I was compelled to create a new paper sculpture depicting something from my travels.
Of all the things I could have made into a paper sculpture, for whatever reason, this little lizard climbing on the rocks was the design that came about after my trip.
The real version of the lizard was not very easy to spot. He was almost the same color as the rocks, although he had many more striations on his outer layer than the rocks had. He also didn’t seem to be too bothered by visitors. Perhaps he felt if he didn’t move, no one would even notice he was there and people would just assume it was another rock jutting out from the cliff.
I do think it is somewhat humorous and also quite interesting that a little lizard is what I wanted to create after a trip like that. It is such a small paper sculpture, measuring less than 5” x 7”. I saw other critters — deer and a chipmunk come to mind. This little paper sculpture is also in sharp contrast to the humongous cliffs and mountains I had seen and perhaps that is the point.
Perhaps it is just unfathomable to even think of recreating something on a much larger scale after seeing something so breathtaking and beautiful as the parks. Perhaps it is the idea of seeing and noticing the tiny things around you even when you are walking among the huge mountains and rocks — the little things are just as important as the big things.
Perhaps it is the reminder that we all have a part to play — no matter how big or how small — in the bigger picture. Or, perhaps it is what it is: a little lizard on a little Rock. What do you think? The great thing about almost all art is you get to decide for yourself.
Finding Inspiration In the Graphic Art of M.C. Escher
How my beautiful 3D paper sculpture illustration of a peacock was inspired by the work of artist M.C. Escher.
One of the famous graphic artists I like is M.C. Escher. He is famous for his interesting lithographs and his use of tessellations in his art work. When I was first introduced to his art it reminded me of a puzzle. At first glance when you look at one of Escher’s pieces it looks almost “normal” but with closer observation, you realize what he drew is actually impossible, such as his work “Waterfall” or “Relativity.”
I like the humorous interactive elements in his drawings such as in “Reptiles” and “Drawing Hands.” These two have influenced my work. When I first began thinking about how I was going to seamlessly combine watercolor paint and paper sculpture, those two lithographs of Escher’s were something I thought about. His work is a flat lithograph but they look three-dimensional. In “Reptiles,” the creatures appear to actually walk right out of the paper. In “Drawing Hands,” the hands appear to come alive but are actually just a flat two-dimensional piece.
I like creating that play between a two-dimensional surface and how it will gradually grow into a three-dimensional surface. An example of this in my work is the paper sculpture illustration titled, “Peacock.”
This beautiful peacock is a flat painting in some areas, and then is gradually transformed into a 3D piece. My hope is that when viewing this paper sculpture illustration at a distance, it appears to be a flat painting. But then as you move in closer, those colorful peacock feathers are really 3D and coming right out of the paper!
M.C. Escher is just one of many artists that have influenced my work. Whether you’re an artist or not, we’re all touched by beautiful design — it could be hanging in a gallery, the printing on your favorite T-shirt or something you see online.
What artists have influenced your work? Let us know in the comments below!
Inspiration Behind a 'Buzzy' Cone Flower Paper Sculpture
Here’s the story behind my purple cone flower paper sculpture design with a little “Buzzy Bee.”
I was inspired to turn these pink cone flowers into a paper sculpture after seeing these flowers in a garden one summer. The center of the flowers are so interesting and I wanted to capture that texture using paper: delicate soft pink petals contrasted by a hard, thorny looking brown center.
I decided I wanted the finished paper sculpture illustration to fit into a shadowbox frame. I wanted the flowers to look like a flat painting at first glance, but then as you look closer at this piece, you realize the flowers become three-dimensional in the foreground. I needed to gradually bring the flower petals out of the background paper and make them pop out of the paper to bring the design to life. The spiky center of the flower would also be 3D.
I really like creating the 3D paper flowers. It feels like you are adding life into the flower as they are transformed from that flat picture to a life-like recreation. The centers were quite a challenge until I figured out a way to form the sharp center spikes.
Once the flowers and centers were completed, I felt I needed to add one more thing to the picture. What could be better than a little paper ‘Buzzy Bee,’ coming to check out these beautiful cone flowers?
Artwork Feature: Delicate 'Teacup in Spring' Ready for Tea Time
“Teacup in Spring” is framed in a hand-made, custom wood frame and the image is only 3.75” x 2.75” x 1.25” deep.
I love beautiful flowers in pinks and purples, butterflies and antique teacups. Influenced by botanical art, beautiful decorative floral wall art, and the Dutch floral artists of the 17th century, I felt inspired to combine all of my favorite elements into one 3D paper sculpture, titled “Teacup in Spring.”
I like the shapes of antique china teacups, which are typically decorated in delicate floral motifs. I am drawn to the intricate shapes of the teacups and the flowers on the hand-painted teacups. I liked the idea of combining the teacup with a flower bouquet and of course, there had to be a butterfly that just happened to be visiting this spring bouquet.
The entire paper sculpture design is all created out of paper and paint. I took a photo of “Teacup in Spring” next to some antique teacups for size comparison. “Teacup in Spring” is framed in a hand-made, custom wood frame and the image is only 3.75” x 2.75” x 1.25” deep.
Finding Inspiration in the World of Master Painters
How taking the opportunity to view the work of old master painters helps me find inspiration in my own work.
During a visit to the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, I remember seeing Dutch artist Jan van Huysum’s beautiful painting titled, “Vase of Flowers.” The oil painting looks almost like a photograph. The water droplets on the tulip, tiny ants, butterflies, vivid colors, composition, delicate flower petals, and the details are absolutely gorgeous!
“Vase of Flowers,” Jan van Huysum (Image via Creative Commons)
I was so thankful I was able to see his painting in person. If you can’t make it for a visit, the Getty Museum has a great website for viewing these old masters paintings. You can really get a great feel for the painting even though its online. You can even zoom in on your favorite section of the painting as well.
I enjoy looking at the delicate flowing petals of the tulip with the water droplets on it. You would think the water droplet was real. An interesting note, van Huysum was very secretive about his methods of painting, and he wouldn’t allow other people in his studio, including his brothers, who were also artists.
I always think when you can see the size of artists’ original paintings in person it adds another level of interest. Sometimes I imagine a painting to be quite large, but then I am surprised to find out it is very small.
Taking the opportunity to view the work of old master painters helps me find inspiration in my own work. It gets those creative juices flowing and is a great reminder of all the beautiful expression that’s possible through great works of art.
Creature Feature: Octopus Wants You to Catch If You Can
“Catch Me If You Can,” is one of my latest paper sculpture designs, a clever octopus made completely out of paper, even the suckers on its eight tentacles.
I have many ideas of different paper sculptures I want to make — sometimes I want to make them because it sounds like it would be fun to make. Flowers are a personal favorite, or a little furry animal because creating the fur out of paper is both challenging and rewarding when the finished piece looks like fur. Then I feel I was successful at mastering that.
Sometimes I have so many ideas, i have a hard time choosing something. That is what happened with “Catch Me If You Can,” a clever octopus made completely out of paper, even the suckers on its eight tentacles. When I was deciding on a new project, I rattled off a handful of ideas to my daughter and asked her what I should do next. She chose an octopus!
What a challenge it was figuring out how to make the suction cups on the tentacles. It did take quite a bit of trial and error until I figured out exactly the right technique to make and attach all those tiny little suction cups to the octopus. Happily, I figured out a way to do just that out of paper and I think it all worked out rather well.
Artwork Feature: Let the Artwork Fun Begin!
The inspiration for this artist’s box came from my memories of when I received my first wooden art box as a kid.
Looking through an artist’s wooden art box is like looking through treasured gifts. The next in my series of paper sculpture designs on art supplies, the inspiration for this artist’s box came from my memories of when I received my first wooden art box as a kid.
When I was 10 or 11 years old, my mom signed me up for art class. I started taking art classes from a local artist who also taught lessons on Saturday mornings to kids in her converted studio space in her basement. In the first couple of classes we started out drawing with charcoal, which I thought was so messy.
Then, we moved on to pastels and within a few weeks we started painting in oils. I was really excited the day my art teacher told me I could start working in oils. I couldn’t wait to be working in oils because that is what my oldest sister painted in.
It wasn’t too long after that when I received my very own wooden art box for a present. I was so thrilled! A wood art box — just like my sister had! Just like a REAL artist. It even had some new tubes of paint and a couple of brushes, a canvas and a pallet knife. My sister gave me a couple of her old used brushes as well.
I was so excited to have my very own art box, and it stayed with me for a long time as I started my professional art career. My original wood art box even went along with me to college. I still have my wooden art box, although I no longer use it for oil paints.
When I decided to create a paper sculpture of a wooden artist box I decided I wanted to fill the box with lots of art supplies. A wooden art box to an artist is like a treasure chest. You can’t wait to dive right in and check out all those cool new supplies just waiting there to be used.
Hopefully when you peer closely into the resulting piece, “Let the Fun Begin!,” it captures that beginner’s mind spirit — you can hardly wait to start having fun with all those new colorful art supplies stored in your wooden art box. In my paper-sculpted art box, even the “wood” box is made out of paper.
Artwork Feature: Art Supplies 'Color Wheel'
Take a look at the second paper sculpture design in my series on art supplies.
I’ve been working on a series of paper sculpture designs featuring art supplies. The first in the series, “The Paper Painter” featured a play on words and white paint tubes, some of my favorite art supplies to sculpt.
In the second of the series, I wanted to make another round paint tray and paint tubes but this time in color. The composition reminds me of a color wheel. I wanted the scene to look as though the artist is in the middle of painting.
I don’t know about other artists, but I always have to lay out my colors in the same order each time I paint. The yellows are always in the same cup, next to the reds, etc. The vibrant colors right out of the paint tubes always look so clean and colorful, but then the real fun begins — mixing together all those beautiful colors to create even more colors and a vibrant palate full of possibilities.
For added interest in this piece, which I have titled “Color Wheel,” the paintbrush and the tube of paint are actually sticking up in the air, as though the artist is in the process of using them.
Transforming 'My Studio' Into a Lifelike Paper Sculpture
I’ve been working on a design concept for a series 3D paper sculptures around habitats, and the first one I’ve created is “My Studio.”
I’ve been working on a design concept for a series 3D paper sculptures around habitats, a detailed representation of real-life environments made only out of paper and painted with watercolor and gouache.
The first habitat I’ve decided to sculpt is… me! Or I should say the place where I can be found 8, 10, 12 hours most days of the week — in my studio. Here’s how I made an exact replica of my desk completely out of paper.
To make my personal habitat, I started by making my desk and chair and then added in the accessories. There are a lot of accessories. “My Studio” is a representation of my art desk — pencils, paper and paints. It is also representing a part of me, much like my art. So, in this first habitat, the items are both literally on my desk or representative of my life.
For example, when I am working on a paper sculpture, you will find me surrounded by books that I use for reference materials. In “My Studio, you’ll see stacks of books but they’re made-up titles and images that have a special meaning or are symbolic to me.
Then there are the clay containers of brushes, pencils and markers. My sketchbook, scissors, rulers and pencils are always nearby my desk too. Mini tubes of paint, brushes and even my little kitten are on top of and surrounding my desk and are all hand-sculpted out of paper. And, of course, don’t forget the paint trays. These are just my basics.
On the shelves next to my desk I have dark brown handmade clay containers, the ones I made in a pottery class during my college days. They hold markers, pencils and miscellaneous items too. Of course, there a few favorite family photos, drawings and mementos nearby as well.
Did I mention the pinwheels? My studio would not be complete without a couple pinwheels. I have a yellow wind-up pinwheel pen, a personal favorite, and a vase or two on shelves nearby filled with pinwheels in bright colors.
Why pinwheels, you ask? I don’t know — they just make me happy because they are colorful and whimsical. (Everyone starts laughing when I bring out my yellow wind-up pinwheel pen and start writing.) I just have a few represented in the “My Studio” paper sculpture.
If you look closely, you might also notice there’s another miniature desk and chair in “My Studio” to represent the habitat I was creating.
Now that you’ve seen close-up photos of the parts and pieces of my paper sculpture habitat, “My Studio,” here is a final look of the completed piece — complete with the artist in her studio.
The Process of Bringing 'PAPER' to Life as a 3D Sculpture Illustration
Melinda Fabian outlines the process for creating her marketing paper sculpture design, "“PAPER.”
As a self-employed illustrator, I have to continually market my work. One of the ways I do that is to come up with creative ways to show people my paper sculptures, which is a medium and style that is a little unconventional. I want to convey to people quickly that it is something different and exciting and explain to someone in a visual way what my illustrations are. I also want to demonstrate to a potential client how I can solve a project and what medium I use to illustrate it.
This whole process of coming up with marketing materials is similar to being in college, and being assigned your next project by an art teacher. Except now, you come up with your own assignments for your marketing and advertising needs and figure out the goal, the problem that needs solving and the parameters you have to stay within.
So, with this marketing assignment, I want to use the final image on all of my social media sites and also on a postcard to market my paper sculpture illustration business to art directors. The problem is, how can I quickly portray my paper sculpture medium and my process to someone unfamiliar with my work? How can I demonstrate that I can help solve a publication's needs?
My concept was to create a one-word sign appropriately titled PAPER. I could show a progression beginning with a simple, plain white piece of paper and end up with a fully illustrated 3D paper sculptured letter. Using just one word will quickly explain my process visually and I will also be able to show different ways of visually and graphically communicating a solution to a publication's message using my medium, paper sculpture.
Here is my thought process for each of my paper sculpture letters:
Just like the way I work in paper sculpture, the first letter of the sign ‘P’ is just a plain white piece of paper — nothing fancy, just a basic letter cut out of a flat sheet of paper.
For the letter ‘A,’ I wanted to show the beginnings of a transition to manipulating the medium, using a small scissors to cut out the plain paper to make a box letter ‘A,’ cutting, bending and shaping the paper to transform it from a flat sheet of paper to a simple 3D form — just the basics.
This is where the real fun begins — the second letter ‘P.’ I wanted to highlight the transition from materials into a project. You see the little scissors in the previous step. But now, as things start to get more complicated, I need my pencils to sketch with, my paper, paint brushes, a paint tray, and paint. I also like that each one of these items begins with the letter ‘P,’ which was a fun added bonus. This is the first letter of the sign where each of the objects are a more advanced 3D paper sculpture, all made out of paper. The shapes all work together to form the letter ‘P.’
Next up, the transition from white paper to the painted paper. For the letter ‘E,’ I started with the stark white paper sculpture flowers, which can be very beautiful all on their own in white. But, I wanted to show that these flowers transition into realistic full-color flowers.
Lastly, my favorite, a completely painted 3D paper sculpture letter that completes my PAPER sign. The heron, turtle and little red birds (all words that have the letter ‘R’ in them) all surround this tree and create the letter ‘R.’ It was a challenge to figure out how to create the letter ‘R’ using those critters, and I think I successfully solved that tricky situation. The letter comes across as an ‘R’ and is clearly legible, which is so important when creating decorative lettering.
“The letter comes across as an ‘R’ and is clearly legible, which is so important when creating decorative lettering.”
I feel that my paper sculpture sign has successfully fulfilled the requirements of my assignment and I accomplished all of my goals that I originally set forth — to visually explain what it is I do and demonstrate that I can help communicate any message for a publication's needs.
Capturing the Beauty of the Birdwing Butterfly
Butterflies are so beautiful — all those colors and different shaped wings! I couldn’t resist painting this birdwing butterfly.
Butterflies are so beautiful — all those colors and different shaped wings! I couldn’t resist painting this birdwing butterfly. What makes these butterflies so impressive are its stunning colors. The black against the yellow, is such a stark contrast in color, but then the bluish green in the wings blends and camouflages among the colors in their surroundings. As the wings flutter against the leaves, the butterfly can get lost among the shadows in the trees and the blues in the sky.
There aren’t too many butterflies that have a touch of red on their bodies like the birdwing butterfly. Just one more element that makes them so spectacular. Because of the red and black colors on this butterfly, it inspired me to include a little black and red ladybug in the painting. The tiny little paper ladybug sitting on the leaf in the upper left corner, creates a 3D element to the watercolor painting.
Why You Should Save Your Old Sketch Books
Hold onto all those old sketch books. They are filled with lots of ideas and reference material.
Hold onto all those old sketch books. They are filled with lots of ideas and reference material. I can't tell you have often I have gone back to look through my sketch books. There are lots of ideas of things I wanted to do, to create sketches of things I want to transfer into paper sculpture. Even the sketch books from 10 and 20 years ago are helpful. It can spark new ideas. It reminds you of where you've been and how far you've come. They contain material that can spark a nespark a new idea idea. Sometimes it is an idea I had 20 years ago but forgot about it, but now I can now grow upon that thought.
What hidden treasures do you have saved inside your old sketch books? Tell us in the comments below!
Creature Feature: Illustrating the Giraffe
One of my favorite animals to draw is a giraffe. Here are just of the few designs I’ve done featuring these long-necked creatures.
The other day I was thinking about all the animals I have drawn during the course of my illustration career. Over the years I have drawn animals from all different types of environments such as elephants, frigate birds, peacocks, lizards, monkeys, cardinals, zebras, and lots more. Many of the illustrations were painted in watercolor and gouache or pen and ink line art for various children’s publications, activity pages, games, and greeting cards.
I would have to say that one of my favorite animals to draw is a giraffe. Of course, everyone knows they have that very long neck, but I also like them because they are so tall and I think those long eyelashes give their faces so much character.
Here’s a couple of my giraffe illustrations I’ve done over the years. And, in a few weeks, you will see my next paper sculpture. Yep, you guessed it — a giraffe!
Artwork Feature: A Set of Colorful Peonies for the Summer
Featured 3D paper sculpture designs from Melinda Fabian of two summer-perfect peonies.
These 3D paper sculpture peonies were fun to create. The white peony has a beautiful center of different shades of brilliant yellow with a tinge of orange on the tips. The dark colored peony is a combination of purples, alizarin crimson and magentas, which are some of my favorite colors. I framed both in small, black shadowbox frames with a white mat. I think they would be nice hung together on a wall — perhaps filling up that empty little nook.
What flower would you like to see next? Share with us in the comments below!
Artwork Feature: Bald Eagles 'Keeping Watch'
This miniature 3D paper sculpture eagle, titled "Keeping Watch," is entirely handcrafted from paper and painted with watercolor and gouache.
I was inspired to create this 3D paper sculpture of an eagle after my visit to Conowingo Dam in Darlington, Maryland, last November. In the fall, it is one of the best places to watch bald eagles as they glide through the air and then swoop down to catch a fish from the Susquehanna River below. Without hesitation, the eagle grabs its dinner before soaring back up into the sky, eventually resting in the trees, eating their catch — unless their dinner was snatched up by one of the other eagles soaring by.
There were so many other photographers lined up along the fence at the dam that day waiting to take photos as the eagles flew overhead. As soon as someone would spot one of the birds of prey, they would call out, “left” or right” to signal which side the eagle took off so you could start shooting your camera in the right direction. Immediately, you would hear the continuous clicking sounds of the shutters going off, as the photographers spun around in a circular pattern following the flight of the eagle, trying not to become dizzy as they got their best shot of this powerful bird.
It is an amazing site to see so many eagles at one location and to be able to watch their behavior. I couldn’t help but create two paper sculpture eagles that were featured at two miniature art shows — the juried 25th Annual International Miniature Show at Parklane Gallery in Kirkland, Washington, and the 26th International Miniature Art Show at Seaside Art Gallery in Nags Head, North Carolina.
Like all of my paper sculpture designs, the eagle below, titled “Keeping Watch,” is all made from paper. Each feather is individually hand-cut out of white paper, shaped and glued together to form the eagle. Even the talons are made from paper. After the eagle is formed, it is then painted in watercolor and gouache. The paper sculpture eagle is framed in a wooden shadowbox picture frame.
