Louis Nikola 
The Complete Book of Hand Shadows 
Instructions for Shadowgraphy

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 facsimile of a 1913 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.

Table of Content

Introduction


I. The Light


II. The Projection Screen


III. General Arrangements


IV. Advanced Practice


V. Animal Forms


VI. Birds


VII. Character Studies


VIII. Figures with Accessories


IX. A Shadow Pantomine

About the author

In addition to publishing books on magic and hand shadows, Louis Nikola (1878–1936) performed in Great Britain and Australia during the World War I era.