Discover the Best Papercraft Classes in Los Angeles
Papercraft refers to the wide array of art forms that utilize paper as their main medium, from papier-mâché to bookbinding. Because paper is so widely accessible and easy to work with, it’s one of the most popular crafting mediums in the world. Whether you’re a child with limited hand dexterity or a professional artist, you can create something beautiful with papercraft.
In addition, paper lends itself to an endlessly diverse range of possibilities. With the option to cut, glue, fold, layer, paint, dye, or mix paper into a wet paste, papercraft involves plenty of creativity and can result in a variety of different art forms, both two-dimensional and three-dimensional. While many people associate papercraft with scrapbooking and cardmaking only, papercraft is also a popular choice for sculpture, wedding bouquets, miniature making, and more.
However, it all started with the simple invention of papyrus in ancient Egypt, where artists created early curled-paper art known today as quilling. After paper spread to Japan, folding paper grew into a traditional art form called Origami, while papier-mâché masks became popular ceremonial art in neighboring China. Since ancient times, modern papercraft has come to include additional categories such as decoupage, bookbinding, paper marbling, paper layering, paper model, and machine die-cutting. As a nod to those early Egyptians, modern papercraft still includes handmade papermaking.
Why You Should Learn Papercraft in Los Angeles
Because paper is versatile for a variety of purposes, you don’t need to be a Da Vinci to learn papercraft. Many types of papercraft are even easy enough for children to learn, making them a popular teaching activity in classrooms. When compared to other physical mediums such as ceramic, wood, and metal, paper is a breeze to work with and can be purchased or handmade for relatively cheap. What’s more, once you get started, there are endless possibilities for what you can create from paper, meaning that you’re unlikely to get bored.
Like many other creative hobbies, papercraft stimulates creativity and has positive effects on health and mental well-being. A tactile learning activity in education, papercraft stimulates creativity and increases crafters’ understanding of geometry. Because it offers people a way to express feelings, papercraft is often selected as a therapeutic activity and is known to relieve stress, improve self-esteem, and enhance focus. In addition, papercraft can decrease loneliness as it offers plenty of social opportunities through local clubs like the New York Paper Crafts Meetup, Bee’s Arts and Crafts Studio, and Carriage House Paper.
For some artists, papercraft can turn into a source of income. Nowadays, online markets like Etsy and Shopify make it easy for papercraft artists to sell and ship handmade goods worldwide. Others earn money by running paid advertising on a DIY blog full of tutorials on how to make paper crafts.
In-Person Papercraft Classes in Los Angeles
While it’s possible to explore papercraft on your own, there’s no substitute for an expert mentor who can guide you through confusing steps and help you understand distinctions between materials. In a traditional classroom, you’ll learn faster thanks to personalized feedback. In addition, you’ll have the chance to meet other papercraft enthusiasts who might just become lifelong friends.
Benefit from a classroom that’s fully stocked with papercraft supplies so that you don’t need to bring your own. Having a dedicated space also means that you won’t need to worry about making a mess of your house if you’re fitting papercraft into a tight schedule. Sign up for upcoming papercraft classes in Los Angeles by visiting CourseHorse.
Interested in the foundations of papercraft? You may enjoy the papermaking classes available through Valley Art Workshop (VAW) in Woodland Hills.
If you’re an artist who wants to delve into the world of making your own fine art paper, consider signing up for VAW’s Papermaking class. Under the attentive instruction of multimedia artist, Zeina Baltagi, you’ll learn how to create high-quality paper appropriate for art projects like drawing, painting, and printmaking. In addition, you’ll explore the history of Western papermaking and learn about the differences between paper varieties, including what projects they’re best suited to.
If you’re captivated by decorative paper, or paper as art, try VAW’s Experimental Papermaking course, also taught by Zeina Baltagi. With everyday items, you’ll create a variety of beautiful papers you can use for all your papercraft needs. In addition to flat paper, you’ll explore sculptural paper as well as the history of papermaking.
Virtual Papercraft Classes
Most people are familiar with learning in traditional classrooms, but believe it or not, live online papercraft classes have just as many benefits. Structured around real-time demonstrations with plenty of opportunities to ask questions, live online classes make learning more accessible for busy and homebound creatives. Unlike on-demand courses that simply offer tutorials, you can count on your instructor to help you understand difficult skills when you get stumped.
When compared to in-person learning, online learning also offers a more diverse selection of courses from across the globe. Additionally, without the unnecessary time-suck that commuting creates, you’ll have more time outside of class for papercraft.
Before you can start papercrafting, you’ll need to prepare your space by gathering a few tools and materials. Although the majority of online courses don’t provide complimentary supplies, most will furnish you with a list of recommended materials for the course. If you’re lucky, your instructor may even name-drop their favorite brands and online storefronts to help you source materials more easily. Discover exciting online papercraft classes by visiting CourseHorse today.
Bookbinding can be intimidating to first-time learners, but luckily, there’s a beginner-friendly introduction that doesn’t require any sewing or leatherwork. With guidance from professional bookbinder, Elizabeth Castaldo, you can learn how to Make a Photobook with One Sheet of Paper in just two hours. After cutting and folding each page, you’ll have a beautiful handmade pocketbook you can use to display photos or art prints.
If you’re looking for a challenge in self-expression, Evanston Art Center’s Paper Remix I: Inspired Collage class will push you to think outside the box as you create collage art from pre-existing images. You’ll get more creative by collecting images from new sources and will have the chance to work with a variety of paper types, compositions, shapes, and colors. To get your creative juices flowing, the class will provide you with prompts from images, poems, and themes.
Through Food Craft’s virtual classroom, you can enjoy a beginner-friendly Suminagashi (Japanese Marbling) course that comes with materials provided. As you settle into the zen environment of the class, your stress will melt away and you’ll find your mind more clear for creative work. With only Sumi Ink and a tin filled with water, you’ll dye your own marbled rice paper and drink coasters.
Private Group Papercraft Classes in Los Angeles
Need a fun way for your group to connect? Consider adding a papercraft class to an upcoming event for your business or organization. As a beginner-friendly activity, papercraft offers a fun way for everyone in the group to unwind and get to know one another better. Visit CourseHorse to view upcoming group papercraft classes for private groups in Los Angeles.
In the Virtual Origami Workshop, groups of up to 500 can learn how to fold three-to-four classic critter shapes, including a fish, crane, frog, and butterfly that can be displayed wherever you please. Each participant is given 200 sheets of brightly colored origami paper to work with, and once you learn these skills, it’s easy to make a fun activity out of teaching your family and friends.
If you’re into mood lighting, the Virtual Shadow Light Making Workshop will teach up to 200 people how to create an artistic three-dimensional shadow box from kits shipped directly to you. Sponge-paint acetate paper in the colors of your choice and attach them to a pre-cut cube for a truly one-of-a-kind lamp.
If stationery is your jam, you won’t want to miss the Virtual Holiday Card Workshop, which provides complimentary materials for up to 100 guests. Use collage to cut and paste three-dimensional holiday cards that will delight your loved ones. After learning these new techniques, you’ll also get to share your creation with the rest of your group for a self-esteem boost.
During Christmas, groups of up to 100 can also participate in a Virtual Holiday Ornament Workshop that comes with plenty of supplies for everyone. Using tissue paper and glue, you’ll mold your own papier-mâché ornament, which you’ll then learn to decorate with collage and painting techniques.
If CourseHorse doesn’t currently offer a group class on the type of papercraft you’re interested in, don’t lose hope. Simply use CourseHorse’s online contact form to request a new course, and they’ll connect you with additional options that are more in line with what you’re looking for.
Thanks to CourseHorse’s convenient and flexible booking system, signing your group up for a class doesn’t have to be stressful. In addition to zero booking fees, you can expect to receive a confirmation in under 24 hours of scheduling. In addition, you’ll benefit from the option to adjust your group size as needed, making it easy to adapt to changing plans and last-minute RSVPs.
To make life less technologically challenging, CourseHorse classes are also adapted for a variety of web conferencing platforms. While Zoom is the standard course format, instructors can also accommodate apps like Google Meets, Microsoft Teams, and WebEx.