The skills and techniques in folk art paper-cut are shown in various ways. In rural northern China which is long time enclosed but self-sufficient, small-scale peasant economy prevails, women make paper-cut for a life time with nothing but a pair of scissors and raw 
paper. Their knowledge and skills in the art of paper-cut perfected through practice. From small window flowers to large-scale art works of 5-6-meter-long, without a draft, they pick up a pair of scissors and start cutting at will, showing great confidence and skills as masters of art. Along southeast of the Yangtze River, capitalist commodity economy first started in the Southern Song Dynasty which brought about the town culture and career folk artists. To meet the need of the newly emerged folk customs, commodity market system and town-culture aesthetics, folk art grew into a style of multi-layer paper engraving art with highly skilled carving and color painting techniques. Highly talented art masters and artists from all backgrounds have created a wide range of art works such as mountains and waters; gardens and courtyards, birds and flowers, grass and insects, and human figures. These quintessential art works with true-to-life depictions of the subjects are different from those made by rural women in north China.
