A complete tutorial on making aircraft lanterns is as follows:
1. The first step is to make the skeleton. Paper lanterns have a relatively simple shape. The shape of the paper lantern is rectangular. You can design the outline of the plane yourself. It is best to use bendable bamboo branches or bamboo skins to build the frame, and tie the connecting parts tightly with thin wires. If it’s hard to find, long thin strips of cardboard or bamboo skewers used for barbecues will also work. They will lack in strength and flexibility, but they are also very good decorations when placed indoors.
2. The second step is to make the lamp body. Buy some sheets of white or blue ordinary rice paper or gold-sprinkled rice paper at the Wenfangsibao store, cut them into lengths and widths that fit the lantern frame, and then you can design your own pattern. Calligraphy, painting, and paper-cutting can all be displayed on small lanterns. After pasting, you can also use narrow strips of imitation silk paper to border the upper and lower sides, which will look more classic. If you have a foundation in oil painting, you can paint aircraft paint on the lamp body according to the aircraft pictures, or you can create purely handmade art, depending on your personal preference.
3. The third step is to create a light source. If you want to put it indoors, you only need to light an ordinary candle in the lantern; if you want to carry it out, it is best to use a light bulb and a battery to make a simple circuit.
An introduction to lanterns
Lanterns, also collectively known as lanterns, are an ancient traditional handicraft of the Han nationality. After thousands of years of development, lanterns have developed different regional styles, each with a unique form of artistic expression. Every year around the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month, people hang up red lanterns symbolizing reunion to create a festive atmosphere.
Lanterns combine painting, paper-cutting, paper-tying, thorn stitching and other techniques, and are closely connected with the daily life of Chinese people. Lanterns have become a symbol of happiness for Chinese people. Through the inheritance and development of lantern artists of past generations, rich and colorful varieties and superb craftsmanship have been formed. Types include: palace lanterns, gauze lanterns, chandeliers, etc. In terms of shapes, there are figures, landscapes, flowers and birds, dragons and phoenixes, fish and insects, etc. In addition, there are revolving lanterns specially designed for people to enjoy.