Yokai Shadow Box

Here is how I created this shadow box from an old Japanese print:

• I searched through pictures from a royalty-free image book to find a scene that I thought may look nice in 3D.
• After measuring my shadow box, I sized the image to fit.
• I printed the image on white cardstock and cut out the elements I wanted to be 3D: the ghost, the ethereal flame, and the samurai. Then I took markers to enhance some of the colors and darken the lines. I used a black marker to outline the edges, so they were black and not white if seen from an angle. 
• For the ghostly elements, I thought it would be neat to have them repeated on the background. For the samurai, however, I didn’t want him to be duplicated, so I edited the image in a photo editor to remove the samurai from the background. Once complete, I printed the background on white cardstock.
• I attached some foam pieces to the backs of my cutout figures so they would be separated from the background and glued them into place.
• To add a little more depth to the piece, I took some scrapbook paper that had a leaf pattern and cut the center out to create a leafy frame. I used black marker to color the edges to keep white from showing.
• For the assembly, I began with my leafy frame, then I added a spacer (included with the frame I bought) to put some distance between the glass and the art. Next I added the main image with the raised figures and background. 
• To embellish the shadow box, I used hot glue to add some metal pieces to the edges.

The result is an engaging piece which highlights my love for Japanese folklore. The same technique can work for any image. Try searching for a vintage Halloween image or something else that makes you think of the Halloween season!