#PaperDiorama

This is a collection of box frame artworks that push beyond my traditional flat surfaces of paper or canvas. Paper dioramas, paper cuts or cutout paintings… i’m not always sure how to describe them!

What they all have in common are layers of painted detail raised from background; creating a theatrical effect and a playful sense of artificial depth. These experiments with cut paper are sometimes delicate… always intricate… and hopefully provide a unique take on what often are well known buildings and monuments.

Jack Dee Live at the Apollo - Illustration by Jonathan Chapman

Jack Dee Live at the Apollo

Here's a commissioned piece I created back in December. It's an evening study of the Hammersmith Apollo in London. 'Jack Dee Live at the Apollo' was created as a gift, celebrating the comedy series which performed here from 2004 and aired on BBC ...

December 7th, 2022 | #PaperDiorama, Private Commissions

The Science School at Winchester College

A little papercut commission to share with you today; a sweet architectural study of the Science School at Winchester College. It was created with acrylic and ink before cutting out and raising from the background. The building was apparently built ...

October 18th, 2022 | #PaintedCities, #PaperDiorama

Brixton Academy Lightbox

Here's a little paper-cut painting of the Brixton Academy... with a new electric twist. This was a self initiated piece and an excuse to experiment. It also made a nice warm up; as I have a couple of privately commissioned dioramas to work on in ...

Liberty Diorama - Illustration by Jonathan Chapman
September 28th, 2022 | #PaintedCities, #PaperDiorama, Studio blog

Liberty Diorama

A little architectural study to share today; 'Liberty Diorama'. I have painted Liberty before but from a more central position. In the traditions of a grand department store it takes up a big chunk of city block on Great Marlborough Street. Pretty ...

September 11th, 2021 | #PaperDiorama, Studio blog

Digital, Paint, Cut-out!

A couple of small Winchester studies to share with you. Another little cinema cutout and a shopfront study. It is something I like to do between larger canvases and commercial projects (if there’s time of course!). The smaller scale allows me to ...

Black Books - Illustration by Jonathan Chapman
November 24th, 2020 | #PaperDiorama, Studio blog

Black Books

Here’s one from the fictional world! If you’re a fan of sitcoms Black Books may be up there on a list of favourites. It has certainly been one of mine! This little study features the shop front as it is dressed for the show. The exterior was ...

Screen on the Green - Illustration by Jonathan Chapman
October 16th, 2020 | #PaperDiorama, Studio blog

Everyman & Picturehouse Cinemas

Here’s a couple of new cinema studies, not independents but London movie theatres with long histories. I’m sharing these as the news settles regarding the (hopefully temporary) closure of Picturehouse cinemas. A lot of cinemas have attempted to ...

Winchester Independents

Winchester Independent Paper Studies

Bringing it closer to home with a couple of Winchester Independent establishments this week. The architecture around the city is fascinating, so here’s a couple of building studies on paper to add to my growing illustrated version of ...

July 6th, 2020 | #PaperDiorama, Studio blog

Cutting & Construction (Fushimi Inari Taisha)

I remembered to capture a bit more of the process in this Japanese inspired painting of the Fushimi Inari Taisha. The cutting and placement of the raised layers are always a challenge. And for the blog it’s particularly difficult to show the ...

Painted Clocks - Illustration by Jonathan Chapman

Painted Clocks

While standing at my workbench, cutting away at the paper for a recent architectural study (the process is very therapeutic and extremely satisfying), I found myself staring at a clock face... it’s a strange thing when you’re in that creative ...

Books & Catalogues - Illustration by Jonathan Chapman
Books & Catalogues - Illustration by Jonathan Chapman
Books & Catalogues - Illustration by Jonathan Chapman
Books & Catalogues - Illustration by Jonathan Chapman
Books & Catalogues - Illustration by Jonathan Chapman
Books & Catalogues - Illustration by Jonathan Chapman
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