Paper tole, also known as 3D art or 3D decoupage, is the art of making a 3D object from a 2D image. This is created by cutting pieces from multiple copies of the picture, and then sculpting and stacking them to create the 3D effect. Adding a layer of glue to the back of the paper allows it to be shaped for much more dimension. Small details can be highlighted, big pieces can have smoother curves, and implementing techniques such as feathering, furring, and recessing can add more depth and detail to an image.
Paper tole as we know it started in the US during the Depression era when crafters would layer copies of the same Christmas cards they’d receive from charities. That layering has developed with additional techniques and skills into today's paper sculpting!