Nov 7, 20224 min read

Paper Art

Non-Representational Art

Non-representational art is art that does not depict objects and events from the real world. The artist may have intent and meaning within the artwork but it is not explicitly represented through imagery. Instead, the meaning is expressed through aesthetic effects such as light, color, shape and more.

Non-representational art often expresses emotions, feelings and experiences. Just because an artwork is non-representational it does not mean it is created without intent or meaning. These artworks are often very expressive or forceful (think Vasily Kandinsky, Mark Rothko, and Bridget Riley). How is this different from abstract art? Abstract art by definition is art that does not accurately depict reality. This means that abstract art can be non-representational or representational.

For this lesson we will be using a list of design elements that we will refer to as Master Effects.

Master Effects

Lighting - dimension color movement - composition spacing - speed

Artists Working with Paper

Vjeko Sager is a contemporary artist and professor of fine arts at Emily Carr University in Vancouver, Canada. Sager has created an inspiring collection of work which includes cut paper designs and charcoal drawings that seem to mirror the cut paper designs but also fully embraces the medium by creating dynamic and intriguing artworks. Sager's work is a great example of how an artist uses their work to grow their craft and explore new ideas. Look through some of Sager's work below and take notes in your journal about your impressions of the work and the methods Sager used in his designs (be specific about elements from the Master Effects list).

American artist Francis Bruguière is known for his abstract images of cut paper, light, and shadow. Completed in the late 1920's, this series of images are different from the works of Sager, whom we discussed earlier, because Bruguière uses graceful overlapping lines and soft matte paper that embodies a calming aesthetic. Look through Bruguière's work below and take notes in your journal about your impressions of the work, and the methods he used in his designs (be specific about elements from the Master Effects list).

Choosing the right Paper

Paper Weight

Paper weight refers to the weight or thickness of the paper. Thicker paper will be stiff and hold shape well. If you want to create a design that is sharp and creates clean geometric shadows then a heavy weight paper will work well. If you want a graceful display of cuts and soft shadows then a light or medium weight paper would be the way to go. You might even consider that the thickness of the paper will let more or less light through creating strong or soft shadows (or even various values of shadow with a light weight paper). A medium weight colored paper may be a good choice for the underlying color because it would let enough light through to seem illuminated from within. The image below, for example, uses a strong light source under an extra-heavy weight card stock paper and a light to medium weight pink paper. This creates the effect of a vibrant glowing pink. The variation in pink tones comes from the amount of light shining through the paper. Areas closer to the light source are a bright glowing pink because there is more light and areas farther from the light source look like a richer darker pink because less light is penetrating it.

Paper Finish

The finish refers to the texture of the paper. Different finishes will change how the light interacts with the paper. For example, a high gloss paper will reflect light but a matte paper will absorb light. A high gloss may also create more reflections in shadow than a more matte paper. Below is an explanation of how the light interacts with different finishes. The texture of a high gloss paper is smooth and flat, which reflects light right back to the viewer. More matter paper is textured so the light reflected back is dispersed and lost in the ridges of the paper.

Tools

Exacto knife or Gyro-Cut tool
paper
straight edge / metal ruler
cutting board / cardboard
masking tape / painters tape
light source (window, lamp, cell phone flashlight, etc)

Methods and Safety

always ensure the blade is facing away from you when cutting
when using a straight edge keep you fingers firmly on the opposite side of the ruler from the blade (never hold the ruler with your fingers on the cut side)
it is best to move you paper, when possible, to make cuts (this ensures you have the most control over your movement)
for smooth cuts, press firmly on the blade handle through the entire cut (try not to repeatedly go over the same cut, as this will cause messy edges)

Studio Practice

Use a single cut shape to create a design that portrays a story, feeling or idea. Incorporate all of the master effects into your composition. Try to avoid anything representational (stick to patterns and shapes). Consider how different weights, finishes and colors of paper might impact the meaning of your artwork.

Master Effects

_____________

Lighting

color

movement

spacing

Create an artist's statement that describes the story, feeling or idea. Include specific examples of how you used each of the master effects to contribute to your meaning.

*If you want to do another design create a unique composition with any shapes and lines that you'd like. Try and still focus on the master effects while you work.