3D Illustrations

We are currently making a range of 3D paper sculptures and puppets based on our illustrations. We use coloured paper, and pattens paper to create our designs. We plan out the design in 2D form first and then covert it into a 3D form starting with the basic shape and adding more detailed elements from there.

We reference from real life and photographs to make our paper objects as life like as possible, experimenting with different textured and patterned papers to create areas of interest. Recently we have designed a set of paper fruit, cakes and bakes. We like the objects to have a tactile feel so we play with using beads, buttons and shinny embossed paper to give them texture.

We have also created a set of paper objects that are interactive. The paper suitcase comes with a paper passport, hat, clothing and mini paper luggage tags that can all be stored with the different compartments of the suitcase. We enjoy creating paper objects and sculptures that are beautifully presented as well as playful and fun to explore.

How we design and make our character paper puppets

Often when we design characters for children’s books, we come up with little extra designs for paper toys, activity sheets and paper puppets. We base the puppets and toys on characters that we have designed and think of ways we can make them engaging and interactive.

One of our favourite things to make are paper puppets. We draw our characters out a few times on paper and pick a character that we think would work well as a puppet with movable arms and legs. We draw the full character out on to some paper and then we trace the arms, legs and body separately onto some card. To add colour to our character we usually use coloured pencils and collage. We then cut the body, arms and legs of our character out. We make holes in the top off the legs and arms and attach split pins to the body.

Below is an activity page for children to make their own finger puppets. We use collage on the characters to make them more intriguing and playful. We also create activity pages for children to create their own animal masks, party packs and 3D paper objects.