Johan Scherft, a Dutch artist, has mastered the intricate art of creating lifelike birds from paper and watercolor paint. His journey began at the tender age of 14, inspired by the paper models of Malcolm Topp. Scherft’s dedication to his craft led him to the Royal Academy of Arts in The Hague, where he honed his skills in painting and sculpture. Today, nearly three decades later, he is renowned for his realistic paper birds, a process that involves meticulous handcrafting and can span several days to a month for a single piece.
Scherft’s work is not only a testament to his artistic prowess but also to the patience and precision required in papercraft. His creations, ranging from vibrant dinosaurs to serene boats, are particularly celebrated for their detailed realism, especially his birds, which are brought to life with a blend of computer-aided design and manual dexterity.