Info

Contact

Commissions

I always love a new challenge and would be very happy to discuss any possible private or corporate commissions. Please feel free to email me with your enquiry:

info@shobhnapatel.com

Workshops

I am available throughout the year to teach creative workshops at arts venues, schools or for events. Please send me a message to discuss.

Social Media

Follow me on social media to see what I have been working on lately:

@iamshobhna

About

I am a freelance illustrator based in North Lincolnshire, UK. I love being creative at all times and I specialise in paper-cutting and paper-engineering.

During university, I specialised in bookbinding and book publishing. After graduating with a First Class honours degree in Graphic Design from DeMontfort University in 2012, I have since had books published internationally by Carlton Publishing and Thames and Hudson. I have also been commissioned for publishing, advertising and promotional projects in both the UK and the US. Some of my work has also been exhibited in a London art gallery.

Recently, I have been teaching my skills to others in multiple art institutions and local schools by providing paper-cutting and bookbinding workshops.

When not at my desk, I can be found reading books - I am highly influenced by literature and I am motivated by classics written by Dickens, Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Anderson and poetry which captures exceptional imagery.

FAQs

How would you describe your work to someone who has never seen it before?

I specialise in paper-cutting and paper-engineering. Paper-cutting is a method of creating illustrations with paper, by cutting designs into a sheet of paper with a scalpel or scissors (I prefer to use a scalpel as it allows more freedom of movement). The end result has a very intricate and dainty charm and when photographed can cast beautiful shadows.

Paper-engineering on the other hand is a method of creating sculpture-like forms with paper. The end result of paper-engineering is a smart, 3D paper object, which can also be cleverly engineered to create movement, open and close, become longer and shorter or convert into another shape.

Why do you enjoy making with paper?

Paper is such a versatile material, the possibilities with what you can create with paper are endless, e.g. it can be cut up and stuck together, embossed, turned into a 3D object, mulched down and reformed into something entirely different. It can be curled, torn, folded, fringed, pleated, looped, rolled and so much more!

How long does it take to make and what is your process?

The time it takes from initial sketches/ideas to the finished piece can vary on every project but as a rough guide, larger papercuts e.g. A1 size, can take anywhere between 7-10 days to create depending on how intricately detailed they are. A paper-engineered pop-up/sculpture can take a few days to construct. There is a very important process of experimenting and testing that goes into each piece of paper-engineering.

With both papercuts and paper-engineered pop-ups/sculptures, the creative process involves initial sketches/ideas, an experimental stage of creating, testing and editing prototypes, before a final finished piece is produced.

When did you start working with paper as a medium?

During my time at university I was inspired to experiment with paper because of the incredible artwork I'd seen by Rob Ryan and Su Blackwell. I initially started working with paper during my second year at university when I dabbled in book arts and I created a sculpture out of an existing book. This spurred me on to work more with paper! In my final year at university I went on to create an entirely papercut concertina book featuring poetry by a final year Creative Writing degree student.

How did you start off in the arts?

I've always been creative, since I was very little. Throughout my secondary education I loved and excelled in Design Technology. During this time I was always told by teachers that I had a natural artistic talent which I must pursue.

After my A-Levels, I studied BTEC Foundation Diploma in Art and Design. During this course, my passion for art and design flourished, and as I started pushing my creative abilities, I realised how important a career in the creative industry was to me.

What do you enjoy doing when you're not creating?

I enjoy sewing, embroidery, baking and reading.