Cutting
Class
waiting to make the other choices
later. Three similar colors placed
together will not allow the intricacy
of the cuts to show through.
During my thirty-five years of teaching, I have found that starting an introduc- tory course with lessons
that almost always guarantee success
creates a strong foundation on which
the course can be structured. It builds
confidence and repairs the damage
that may have been done to students
who are timid or afraid of failing in
their creative endeavors. The magic of
this cut-paper assignment is amazing
and its success brings smiles to just
about every student.
Helaine Schechtman
Favorite Pretty Colors
This assignment is composed of
two cut layers of construction paper
backed by a third solid layer that has
not been cut. After many examples are
shown, students are anxious to pick
out their colors. They tend to gravitate
to their favorite “pretty” colors. However, they should be encouraged to
select a variety of colors.
Much of the success of this assignment depends not only on the intricacy of the cuts, but on contrasting
color selection. It is usually best if
students only select the top layer first,
Cut Like You Mean It!
Using X-Acto knives, students proceed
to cut their first layer. The top layer
is the most important layer because
it allows the other layers to show
through. Therefore, the most cuts
should be made in this layer, making
it appear to be lacy. Students should be
careful not to cut to the edges since it
will cause the piece to fall apart.
A border, whether measured and
deliberate or random, should be incorporated into the design. Cuts should
be small and fairly close together, but
not so small that they can’t be seen
through. The areas between the cuts
need to be large enough to be able to
have glue applied to them. Students
need to keep this in mind as they create their layers.
Students often have difficulty
applying enough pressure to the knife
when cutting, so it is necessary to
review the techniques of using the
knife, the importance of a sharp blade,
and a good cutting board under the
