Complete Book of Hand Shadows by Louis Nikola - paperback book

8" x 5", 106 pages, soft cover

Shadow entertainments are as old as the hills, but their popularity is undiminished and the hand shadow expert is a recognized and popular artist and entertainer. A practical guide for both adults and children.

Generations of entertainers have amused audiences of children and adults with the art of hand shadows, using only a light source and their own two hands to form immediately recognizable profiles of people and animals. Lovers of nostalgia and aspiring hand shadow artists will delight in this book, which features more than 50 hand shadows.

These quaint illustrations depict many different types of shadows, from swans, rabbits, and other animals to historic figures and fictional characters. Each hand shadow is accompanied by a description of specific hand positioning and an illustration. Additional helpful tips include instructions on lighting, projection screens, and hand exercises.

Contents include:

• The Light
• The Projection Screen
• General Arrangements
• Advanced Practice
• Animal Shadows
• Bird Shadows
• Character Studies
• Figures With Accessories
• A Shadow Pantomime.

Reprint of the C. Arthur Pearson, Ltd. London, 1913 edition.