papercuts

Butterflies
My latest endeavours have been to create patterns using simple shapes inspired by seeing a framed papercut in Chiswick High Street.

The original pattern

from the draft copy

White on white 

Papercuts using Photoshop
Here are some examples of papercuts and how to adapt them using image manipulation software (Adobe Photoshop Elements for example).

How the Pattern was Made

(assumes knowledge of Photoshop)

Using Adobe Photoshop Elements select a picture or shape that would make a good silhouette.

Select the shape using either the Magnetic Lasso or the Magic Wand (if appropriate).

Copy and paste onto a new layer in the Layers Palette and discard the original background layer.

Using either a Brightness and Contrast Adjustment Layer with both sliders at the extreme left,

or

Lock the pixels with the Pixel Lock icon at the top of the Layers Palette, and using a brush set on black, paint over the shape.

Make a new document of your chosen dimensions.

Select the shape, copy and paste it into the new document.  Repeat as necessary.

Deside on the positioning of the elements and use the Free Transform tool to adjust the sizes and positions.

Remember you are only creating one quarter of the design at this stage.

Like this

When happy with the design, flatten the layers, save and print.

This template can now be traced and transferred to paper.

Alternative Method

Create a new document at double the size of the quarter template.

Apply a Grid in 1cm squares and find the middle lines.

Select, copy and paste two right hand quarters onto the new document.

Then flip the original horizontally to the left hand, before copying and pasting into the new document.

Using the Grid and the Free Transform tool resize and reposition the quarters until they join up to form a complete pattern,

When happy with the result, flatten the layers, save and print.

The coloured patterns were made using the Gradient Map on the Layers Palette under the Adjustment Layers icon.   You can also create some interesting effects using Filters on the Main Menu, and the Gradient Tool on the Tool Palette with the Opacity set to less than 50%.