Do-it-yourself three-dimensional paper paintings, diagrams and templates, how to make a three-dimensional painting

Birds and animals are the basis of creativity

Designing paper animals is a fascinating and painstaking activity. To realistically convey all the details, you will have to use a large number of elements. For example, to recreate the feathers of a bird, you will need to cut many semicircular elements and glue them in a certain order. Additionally, you can use plasticine; it acts as an adhesive base on the background.

Step by step steps:

• A sketch is drawn against the background, where all the elements will be glued one by one.
• Strips with imitation wings or fur are cut out of colored paper.
• All strips are glued to the base layer by layer (it will turn out beautifully if each layer differs by one tone from the previous one).

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLElEwzgpYcjEPGafDT_8OsgxA7afSsl5j

At the end, create the face of a bird or animal and glue on the eyes. Using the same technique, you can appliqué a three-dimensional Christmas tree or make a panel in honor of Cosmonautics Day, depicting a rocket. By analogy, letters are made that need to be glued to the base and the word laid out. You can easily decorate a book cover in the same way.

Photos of three-dimensional paintings cannot convey all the creativity and beauty of their real appearance. To understand how nice and original such panels look, you should try making them yourself from paper.

What is needed for work?

Initially – the paper itself. They start with office sheets, regular colored paper, and watercolor sheets. Then, using a creative search method, they try various options: wrapping paper, designer paper, coated paper, velvet paper, recycled materials, etc. They use pages of old books, school notebooks, napkins and much more.

What is needed?

Having selected the appropriate material for modeling the craft, you should prepare your workplace. It is advisable to arrange all the necessary components so that they are at hand, and it is better to immediately put all unnecessary parts aside so that they do not interfere.

Pepakura designer

Can work with many 3D model formats, such as 3DS, DXF, MQO, LWO. The list can be viewed on the official page of the program, I think it’s not difficult to do.

Please note: the program does not have the ability to create 3D layouts themselves, like those listed above. There is also no editor, but the developers offer us to convert them into 2D formats, after which you can print the diagram on a printer and then create a real miracle.

As a rule, you will not download such a set or scan of a bearded warrior for free. There are many professional prints available, but they can only be purchased for a nominal fee on, for example, Etsy.

Papekura The designer creates and edits 3D blanks. An expanded pattern drawing, which can then be printed at the desired scale, cut and glued. Of course, this approach involves a fair amount of work, but there is no choice – a cheaper and more accessible method of “materializing virtual objects” has not yet been invented.

Pepakura Designer supports various formats of 3D models created in 3Dstudio, Lightwave, AutoCad, etc. The program creates a scan of a 3-dimensional image for subsequent printing on a printer. It will produce a drawing with ready-made places for gluing and cutting.

Abstraction: we use additional materials

Paintings with abstraction look stylish and modern. To perform such work, not only colored paper can be useful, but also fabric, coffee beans, and leather. The essence of the work lies in the chaotic arrangement of elements to form a fantasy craft. The work looks like this step by step:

• Prepare a base – wood or thick cardboard.
• They make a sketch – separately draw the future panel on paper.
• According to the diagram, individual elements are cut out from colored paper sheets, fabric or leather.
• The parts are applied to the base, and you need to try on the future composition (it is advisable to number each part).
• Work begins from the center. To make the panel bright, it is better to use different colors.
• The craft is placed in a frame. If it is made of paper, it can be coated with acrylic varnish for additional protection.

Such a picture will look original on the wall if you backlight it around the perimeter. The composition will decorate the bedroom, living room and any modern interior, for example, in the loft style.

Applique

It seems that everyone has been familiar with it since Sadian times and knows the features and specifics of this creativity. But today appliqué is much more complex and interesting than those crafts that everyone did in childhood. For example, three-dimensional appliqué, where the image appears in several layers, is very popular.

There is an application created using the collage method, when a single image is made from completely different fragments of paper information media (from a magazine to tea packaging).

Scrapbooking has made applique something even more elegant, subtle, and especially valuable. This does not mean that this technique is within the power of masters and those who are ready for filigree work. Checkered sheets, rulers and a beautiful concept can also result in a touching work that creates the right emotions.

Applique – option for children and adults

A three-dimensional applique painting is suitable not only as an interior decoration, but also for congratulating close friends, relatives, or a loved one. This composition can be made simply and quickly. It is necessary to cut out flat figures, fold them for volume and glue them to the background. Several ideas for appliqué based on the type of painting:

• monochrome hearts are a good option for congratulating Valentine’s Day;
• an image of a tree (for example, a chestnut with an original leaf shape) is well suited for appliqué;
• spring flowers – this craft is usually given on March 8;
• three-dimensional applique with natural motifs – a drawing of a fox against a background of plants and flowers.

In addition to paper and cardboard, you can create textile applications on foam plastic. This is another type of creative work that will help you make a three-dimensional painting. Felt is suitable as an auxiliary material (it is used to create soft elements).

Paper plastic

Sometimes paper plastic is compared to sculpture, which is understandable: in both cases the material forms some kind of elegant image. The process develops gradually, parts are made separately from each other, and then fastened together into one whole.

Plus it’s a great creative experience. By working with paper, you can develop your artistic skills, practice small manipulations, and handling delicate materials. Often paper is used that should go to waste paper (leftovers, packaging), and the relevance of such reuse is obvious.

In a word, the history of paper plastics is being written right now, and this is happening, among other things, due to the availability of material and, of course, the capabilities of the Internet, the ideas of the vast resources of which are worthy of repetition.

Paper modeling – paper turns into…

Of particular interest is paper modeling. You can create almost any three-dimensional figure from paper with your own hands. Starting from military equipment, architectural monuments and ending with various types of animals, both well-known and fictional.

Of course, ideally you need to be able to do everything (drawings, parts, etc.) with your own hands, but first you can use the Internet. Through the search, you can find a lot of drawings and layouts that can be printed, cut and glued. There are even special sites that store drawings of paper models: airplanes, cars, movie and cartoon characters.

All of the listed paper craft techniques have their own nuances, advantages and disadvantages. But most importantly, when choosing what type of paper art to do, I advise you to be guided solely by your own heart. In order to make a fascinating figurine, you must truly love this business.

This is painstaking work that requires care and patience, and only with a strong desire can you do everything the way it should. Your reward may be the admiring glances of your friends and praise addressed to you.

Paper products look very nice when everything is cut and assembled neatly. The main thing is that creating such figures does not require special skills. It is enough to carefully connect everything. With a little practice, you will be able to do everything much faster and smoother.

An example of how unusual paper figures can be can be seen in the video below. I advise everyone to watch it, because it is truly unusual and a masterpiece.

Vytynanki: cut out according to the template

Translated from Ukrainian, “vytynat” means to cut out. The technique involves creating openwork patterns and small pictures on paper. The simplest example of a vytynanka is considered to be an ordinary snowflake cut out of cardboard. There is no need to buy expensive materials and tools for work.

The work looks like this step by step:

• Paper is placed on a sheet of plywood and a template is placed on top.
• Using a sharp utility knife, cut out holes using a stencil.
• Large parts are cut out first, then small parts.
• The finished work is glued to colored cardboard and framed.

You can also do the framing yourself. A frame made of bright multi-colored buttons, corrugated cardboard and other improvised materials looks good. It is better to hang the picture in the children’s room, especially if the child helped complete it.

Decorative rabbit

A cute little animal, also made on the basis of a “water bomb”, is suitable for decorating a holiday table or as a cute souvenir. You can also hide a small gift in it. This is one of the simplest figures using the 3D paper origami technique, which is recommended for beginning craftsmen.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Place the paper with the colored side up.
2. Fold the sheet in half and open it. Rotate 90° and repeat the same action again.
3. Turn the workpiece over and make diagonal folds on it.
4. Place one of the sides of the square towards you. We connect the extreme points of the central axis to each other, and smooth out the resulting triangles. This creates the basic shape for the “bomb”.
5. We work with the top layer of the figure. Bend the left corner, aligning it in the middle. We do the same with the right one.
6. Fold the outer corners of the resulting rhombus towards the center line.

1. We lower the top flap completely down, and then bend each half of it diagonally to the sides again.
2. Open the “pockets” of the previously laid sidewalls. We insert the halves of the bent valve into them. We smooth out the folds well for a stronger fixation.
3. Turn the workpiece over. Fold the outer corners up along the center line. We get a rhombus.

1. Fold the right side to the left. We bend the corner towards the middle, after which we return the part to its original place.
2. We “close” the left side like a book to the right. We bend the corner of the part again and return it back.
3. We spread the upper clans to the sides and bend them. You get ears. You just need to open them to give volume.

Inflate the rabbit through the hole in the “nose”. You can make a whole family of adorable animals using paper with different prints.

Decoupage: how to make a volume out of paper

The creative technique of decoupage involves cutting out and gluing fragments of an illustration onto a surface. It’s not difficult to make a three-dimensional picture using this technique; the main thing is to choose a beautiful drawing and print it in 5-7 copies. You can use multi-layer napkins, then you will also have to purchase several identical elements.

Volume craft is done like this:

• One of the printed pictures (or a napkin) will be the base. It is glued to hard cardboard.
• Each subsequent picture will add volume: on the first you need to cut off part of the background, on the second – some elements of the picture, on the third – nearby details.
• Elements in the foreground will stand out and be voluminous.
• Corrugated cardboard is cut into pieces and the puzzles of the picture begin to be glued.
• When the three-dimensional work is ready, it can be varnished.

New Year’s landscapes, animals, images of forests and nature look original in this technique.

Fun, decoration and fly trap

According to oriental historians, China became the ancestor of inflatable paper figures. From there they spread not only to Japan, but also to Arab countries that traded with Italy and Spain. Perhaps the “water bomb” came to the Europeans thanks to the merchants of the Middle East.

But it is reliably known that “water bombs” in Japan were called decorative balls, used as an element of lush holiday garlands. Another, more prosaic function of the model is to serve as a trap for insects. Attracted by some kind of treat, they crawl inside, but can no longer get out through the tiny air hole.

The Dutch, the first Europeans to begin trading with Japan in the middle of the 17th century, came up with their own way of using paper “balls” imported from the “Land of the Rising Sun”. Three-dimensional models were filled with tobacco smoke, then turned over with the hole facing up and tapped on the bottom. Thus, it was possible to produce a series of luxurious rings that smokers were very proud of.

Stellated octahedron

A regular origami polyhedron only looks complicated, but is assembled quickly and easily. To turn it into a spectacular decoration, it is better to choose wrapping paper with a pattern, the main thing is that it is thick and holds its shape well. You can take a square sheet of any size, it all depends on what kind of star you want to get as a result.

Step by step instructions:

1. If the paper is single-sided, you need to start from the wrong side.
2. We outline the longitudinal and transverse axis, alternately folding the square in both directions.
3. Turn the workpiece over.
4. We make diagonal folds in the same way.

5. We turn the model over again.
6. We apply a grid on it – 4×4 squares. To do this, first fold the parallel sides towards the center in one direction, obtaining the basic shape of the “Door”. And then in another.
7. Open all previous folds and turn the workpiece over.
8. Bend the corners towards the center.
9. Before us is the basic “Pancake” form. Straighten out the last folds.

10. Fold the lower right corner up, leaving one small square, as shown in the picture. We open the workpiece. Fold the other three corners in the same way.
11. Making small corners.
12. We move the extreme lateral points of the figure inward until they touch. We straighten the outer layers.
13. The result is a “double triangle”. We place it on the table with the top facing away from us.

14. We fold the top layer of the workpiece from right to left, as shown in the figure.
15. We bend the extreme protruding point back to the previous line.
16. Fold the lower right corner of the top layer over the resulting triangle.
17. We tuck the protruding part into the “pocket” underneath it.
18. The fastening must be strong; glue can be used.

19. This is what the assembled element looks like.
20. Now you need to repeat steps 14 – 17 for the other three sides.
21. Open the workpiece so that the folded parts are perpendicular to each other.
22. Find the hole. We think hard into it so that the figure opens up like a beach ball.
23. Now we press the sides along the fold lines drawn earlier to create the protruding edges of the star octahedron.
24. The main thing is to act carefully, otherwise the model will be deformed.

For reference: An octahedron is a regular polygon that belongs to the so-called Platonic solids. Consists of eight symmetrically arranged equilateral triangles. For ancient Greek alchemists, it symbolized the element air. The octahedral shape is often found in natural crystals, such as diamond.

The stellated octahedron was first constructed by Leonardo da Vinci, and scientifically described and given the Latin name – Stella octangula, by Johannes Kepler.

From the history of volumetric origami

Inflatable models are a rarity in the Japanese art of papermaking. In addition to the “water bomb”, the most famous are the classic “tsuru” crane with a voluminous body and the tulip. But the technology is based on the most ancient basic forms, which appeared long before the “bird” and “fish”, on which many complex modern models are built.

It is assumed that the expansion of Japanese porcelain into Europe, which began in the 17th century, contributed to a closer acquaintance of Western people with the art of origami. The “Water Bomb” was loved most of all, apparently because of its original design. Paper figures were made in some European countries long before contacts with Japanese craftsmen – in Spain and Germany, for example, there were a number of their own unique models: “bishop’s hat”, “house”, “ship”. But there were no inflatable ones among them.

The earliest European reference to a “water bomb” can be found in a table napkin folding manual, “Li Tre Trattati” from 1639. From the beginning of the Renaissance until the 18th century, when exquisite and expensive porcelain tableware appeared, textiles were the main decoration of the ceremonial table, and special attention was paid to it when serving.

Quilling: twisting spirals

Another fashionable technique in the world of creativity with paper is quilling. It involves depicting a certain composition on a plane using long strips of paper. Each is twisted into a spiral by hand, then fixed with glue on the background surface.

Paper rolling originated in the 14th century and was previously considered a real art, and later a hobby for real needlewomen. The work will require perseverance and attentiveness, because all spirals must have a certain size and be even. The quilling technique produces beautiful birds, plants, winter landscapes – all this can be included in the picture. For the paper twisting technique, the following tools are used:

• plastic boards on a cork base with cut-out figures;
• tweezers with straight, curved noses;
• quilling templates;
• quilling coach for creating even curls;
• spinning sticks.

All these devices will help you create beautiful paintings, but the work will be painstaking, so you will have to try.

Kirigami

Kirigami is an entire architecture, and such a translation of the word as “cut paper” does not even come close to conveying all the complexity and grace of the direction. It is relatively young: it is approximately 40 years old. First, the master selects a template, then cuts out the parts, and in order for the fragment to become voluminous, the sheet will need to be unfolded.

It sounds simple, but doing it is much more difficult: the technique requires perseverance and the ability to perform deft, but very careful actions.

Kirigami is often found in children’s book layouts. And when a child leafs through such a publication, the heroes of the work literally stand in front of him, which creates a special dynamics of the narrative. Kirigami must be handled delicately: both folded and unfolded.

A set of programs for creating and 3D scanning

Naturally, special programs will come in handy to get the desired figure. I will tell you about the most relevant and simple ones. They can help turn some ideas into beautiful creations and prototypes that can be used in a wide variety of design know-how.

These editors are easy to learn; even beginners can master them in a short period of time. The use of software has made it possible to greatly improve the level of computer game cinema, interior design, architectural and sculptural solutions.

The set of faces that will make up the shell of the product is a mesh. Manufacturing is simple, since they have clearly defined external and internal areas, and therefore no additional parameters or calculations are required. But this method requires patience and perseverance, because it requires concentration, active brain activity and thousands of mouse clicks. Be careful, even small errors can ruin the process.

General principles of folding

Volumetric geometric shapes

Despite the external intricacy and apparent complexity, anyone can make geometric crafts.

To create a geometric figure you will need paper, a pencil, templates for three-dimensional paper crafts, scissors and glue. Following the diagrams, assembling the craft will not be difficult.

Schemes on how to make three-dimensional paper crafts contain a step-by-step description of the process of assembling a geometric figure. Still, it’s worth starting with a simple craft, especially if children are involved in the creative process.

One of the simplest geometric crafts is a cube. Using his example, you can understand the principle of assembling geometric volumetric crafts. You can draw the cube template yourself.

On a piece of paper you need to draw a chain of 4 squares, one side of 1 square is the side of the second and so on. Draw 1 more square on the sides of the second square. Now you should add strips on the sides of all free sides, along which the sides will be fixed with glue.

The template must be cut out along with the allowances. You need to bend the template along each line. Bending should be done by bending the template in one direction. All folds should be ironed well with a pencil. Now all that remains is to fold the cube and glue it along the allowances with glue. A simple geometric craft is ready.

Origami: how to fold a figure

The technique in which sheets of paper are folded to form figures is called origami. Every person became acquainted with the technology of creating the simplest forms in childhood: such products were in demand during labor lessons. The technique consists of gradually folding a sheet of paper in a certain order. The trend originated in China; only representatives of the upper class could own the equipment.

Paper paintings made using origami have an unusual appearance. Manufacturing is simple: often you don’t need to cut anything, you just have to follow the rules and steps for folding the sheets. Three-dimensional paintings with animal figures look modern and are quite simple to make. Creation principle:

• Printing the template on a color printer.
• Preparing a cardboard background.
• Cutting and folding the template, gluing it.
• Fixing the figure on a cardboard background.
• Framing the work.

A child from 6 years old can make a picture using the origami technique: let the child choose the animal figurine himself, and the parents will help with folding and gluing.

Papercraft, polygonal figures with your own hands!

Hanging modular butterflies

From classic modules you can assemble a beautiful butterfly toy with voluminous wings.

If desired and the modules are securely fastened, toys can be hung on an old mobile structure. Such toys are safe, stimulate the baby’s visual skills and decorate the interior of the house.

All parts are made according to the classical pattern (triangles). Before assembly, you need to decide on the pattern of the wings, and, accordingly, on the number of multi-colored parts.

The toy butterfly is assembled according to the following instructions:

The body is made up of modules in black, red or green (the color should be in sharp contrast to the other colors).

Start assembly with one module, gradually increase the number of parts in a row, and then reduce the number of parts again. In the last row, all modules are directed with long edges to the outside, giving the figurine an original look.

Thin flagella are formed from strips of paper of the same color – they will serve as antennae for the butterfly.

The wings are assembled separately – upper and lower parts. The assembly principle is the same for all four blanks: the number of modules is increased from one to an arbitrary number. The outer contour is created in the form of a jagged edge (long edges outward).

The wings are attached to the body, and a pendant is made in the form of a thread or loop.

Polygonal paper modeling

Allows you to visualize an object using a special grid. It appeared at a time when, to determine the location of a point, it was necessary to manually enter its coordinates along the X, Y, Z axes. If three coordinate points are defined as vertices and connected by edges, you get a triangle, which in 3D modeling is called a polygon.

In order for the edges of the model to not have a faceted appearance, it is necessary that they be small in size and the surface consist of small planes. If accurate modeling is expected, or its image will be enlarged in the future, then it is necessary to build a model with a large number of edges, although if you look at the model from a distance without zooming in, a small number will be enough.

vertex – point of connection of edges, there can be a set of edges – boundaries of edges of a face – grid cells, sections of the plane. Most often triangular or quadrangular in shape.

To create a 3D model you need to work (with parts) with sub-objects. We combine and divide, change their shape and size, rotate, and also apply other operations that are allowed in specialized software.

Festive wreath decoration for the door

Wreaths on door facades are a guest tradition of Western countries, which has found its fans in Russia.

It is not at all necessary to visit stores and boutiques in search of original decorations; you can make a wreath from origami modules with your own hands:

1. The first stage of work is the production of a module, which is slightly different from the classic paper triangle. To create a bright and rich wreath, you will need non-standard types of paper: sheets of music, illustrated thick paper, envelopes with decorative painting.
2. The main part is a paper sheet in the shape of a rectangle and dimensions 4*8 cm.
3. The paper blank is positioned so that the side with the pattern is at the bottom.
4. Fold the part along its longitudinal axis.
5. Holding the workpiece suspended, bend it in the center.
6. Free corners are folded towards the midline.
7. You will need eight or 16 such modules, depending on the chosen toy model.

When assembling the finished product, the free corners of each module are placed in the pockets of the next part, closing the wreath into a ring. The last step is to make a loop, from which the festive wreath-decoration is hung.

Simple crafts

In order not to frighten those beginners who cannot even imagine how to “tame” fragile paper, you can offer them a simple master class. Crafts using it always work out.

Fluffy flowers are ready! 3, 5 or more “fluffies” can become a full-fledged interior decoration – you just need to choose a vase that matches them.

To hang the doll, you can make a hole at the top and thread a thread there.

Other Japanese beauties are made using the same pattern. The kimono becomes an accent part of the paper craft. The brighter it is, the better: it can depict beautiful birds, colorful butterflies, stylized fish, ornaments – anything.

Any templates and diagrams can be customized. Paper plastics is always open to creative discoveries!

An example of paper made from paper in the video.

Fish

Another popular model that the Water Bomb can be converted into. In Japan, it is customary to give paper fish to boys as a symbol of will, perseverance and success in achieving goals. And the best thing is to make a three-dimensional origami fish out of paper together with a child – this is a fascinating activity that quietly teaches hard work, perseverance, the ability to think logically and create beauty from the simplest objects.

You will need a standard square with a side of at least 15 cm. Miniature models will be difficult to inflate. For artistic crafts – garlands, modules or pendants, choose paper with a gradient; it gives the fish sophistication.

Step by step instructions:

The beginning is absolutely identical to the rabbit assembly algorithm. Fold the square sheet into a “double triangle”. We transform the top layer of the workpiece into a rhombus. We fold the right and left corners of the figure towards the center. We lower the upper part and further bend each half diagonally. We tuck the resulting triangles into the side “pockets”. The bottom of the fish is ready.

Turn the workpiece over. We lower the outer left corner down and align it with the center line. We do the same with the right one. We bend the lower left point to the side, as shown in the figure.

Turn the resulting part over to the right. The fish is finished. Now the most difficult moment is to inflate it with air. The hole is shown in the figure. For convenience, you will have to move the “tail” to the side and then return it to its place.

Complex

There are many more complex schemes for making volumetric homemade products. Often, craftsmen make different animals in this way, for example, a cat, a kangaroo, a penguin, a whale, and so on.

To learn how to make a three-dimensional origami heart with your own hands, watch the following video.

Paper flowers: several ideas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4b6igIuUFs

There are several options for creating buds from paper for a decorative panel. An artificial flower should convey as accurately as possible all the beauty of a real bud. You can make plants from regular colored or corrugated paper. A few simple ideas for creativity:

• layered flowers. Made from colored paper according to a template. Cut out several petals and place them on top of each other. Using a toothpick, curl the ends of the leaves. Brightly colored stamens are glued into the middle;
• twist into a tube. Here the petals are wound directly onto a stem made of wire, after which it is glued to the panel. You will need corrugated paper, from which a long strip is cut out and gradually fixed to the stem. At the end they are attached with PVA glue;
• oblique fringe technique. In this way you can make poppies, chrysanthemums, roses. A flower bud is drawn on paper, the petals are cut and folded. Then a fringe is cut out of thin colored sheets and twisted around the base of the flower.

The theme of plants is always relevant – such a picture will be a wonderful gift, and will also dilute the interior of a country-style kitchen.