Manta Ray Paper Art

May 16, 2020

As we all shelter in place, my imagination takes me to tropical waters and socializing in groups! This paper art celebrates the beauty of Manta Rays. These large, graceful animals have distinctive white markings on black, and appear to fly through water.

Cardstock Warehouse Cardstock Papers

1 sheet of 8.5x11 Quartz Stardream Metallic
1 sheet of 8.5x11 Lagoon Stardream Metallic
1 sheet of 8.5x11 Onyx Stardream Metallic

Printouts

Manta Printout PDF 1 (click, then right-click to save attachment)

Printed on Onyx Stardream Metallic

Manta Printout PDF 2 (click, then right-click to save attachment)

Printed on Quartz Stardream Metallic

Tools:

Papercutting blade (such as Excel or Xacto)
Self-healing mat
Double-sided adhesive foam, or foam tape and glue
Zig glue and or adhesive glue dots
Optional: Frame mat for 8x10 image

Manta Ray Paper Art Supplies

Print out the two PDFs on the corresponding cardstock. Using a fresh blade, cut out all the manta shapes.

Cutting pieces of Manta Ray

Each of the black mantas have patterned backs. While cutting, I varied the patterns for fun. The printed lines are guidelines, but all mantas are different, so don’t feel compelled to stick to the lines.

Stick the white cutouts to the back of the black mantas, so that the white covers the pattern holes. I used Zig glue for this, though glue dots would also work.

Arrange the mantas on the blue. Use this as a guide, or create your own composition. Try overlapping mantas. They can travel in different directions too. If you have a mat, experiment with how the frame affects the composition.

Select some mantas to be raised above others and anchor them to the blue cardstock using foam adhesive. Secure the other mantas using glue dots.

Once all mantas are secure, you have created a Fever of Mantas!

These mantas cut-outs can be used in other crafty ways, such as hanging from a garland for a marine-themed party, or to decorate cards or scrapbook pages.

Manta Ray Framed Paper Art