A cloaked figure guards the stone castle. Several lanterns scattered across the grounds illuminate a nearby forest encircling the structure. Everything appears normal, but there’s something odd. Everything seems so … tiny. Take a few steps back and it all makes sense.

Created by Richmond miniaturist Sky Burkson, the scene is just one of many this artist intricately hand-cuts out of paper. Burkson, who has been professionally creating models since 2019, is primarily inspired by video games. “I’m a big video game fan and I love exploring pop culture,” he says. “I thought, ‘Why not explore those landscapes?’”

Burkson, who moved to Richmond from New York in 2020, assembles these tiny masterpieces from a small workspace in his house.

The models are primarily made of cost-effective copy paper, but stiffer Bristol illustration paper is also heavily relied on. “I laminate sheets of Bristol paper until I get the thickness I need and work from that,” says Burkson. The pieces are then carefully cut, layered and glued together.

While the models are about 80% paper, sometimes other materials, like brass or a dowel rod, might be added. Various forms of lighting are also often wired in for ambiance. Projects can last anywhere from two weeks to a month.

As Burkson builds, he likes to experiment with the material’s limits. “I like to think about what I haven’t done yet with paper and do it.” It’s a fun challenge and one that pushes him as an artist.

One of Burkson’s trademarks is a figure placed somewhere on the landscape. “About a year and a half ago I tried hand-making some of my own figures,” he says. “You can buy or print them out so I thought, why not make them myself?” Since then, he hasn’t made a miniature without a handmade figure. “I call them thumbnails and I love making them.”

Unlike some miniaturists who follow a certain scale, Burkson listens to the spirit of the piece to figure out the right dimensions. For these models, it’s not the size but the atmosphere that’s important.

Burkson’s mind is constantly sparking new ideas which are scribbled down in a notebook. He usually moves forward once an idea becomes too tempting to resist. “I’ll usually sketch and also pull research,” he says. “If what I’m doing is from a video game, I’ll walk around for hours in a certain game scene to get ideas.”

While numerous models have been formed over the years, one of Burkson’s favorites was “Hunter’s Dream” which was made about two years ago. “It was by far the biggest one at the time, about 20 inches at the largest dimensions,” he says. “The full aesthetic of it just clicked.” Another dream project would be building Symphony of the Night’s Dracula’s Castle. “I’d like to do a double castle with one below and another flipped upside down,” he says.

For Burkson, a personal highlight is seeing people’s reactions when they discover the models are constructed with paper. “There’s a fragility with paper and I have to reassure others how strong it can be when put together correctly,” he says.

Burkson’s introduction to miniatures started years ago while building theater sets. “I have a background in theater, specifically set design, and in order to do that you have to cut teeth by learning to make models,” he says. “It was a long journey to find [that] I didn’t enjoy that.”

He started dabbling in model making – many of the skills and materials he was already somewhat acquainted with thanks to the profession. Burkson eventually focused on other career endeavors but his longing to go back into model making crept up.

It wasn’t until about five years ago that Burkson became serious about the craft. “There was a lot of interest when I got into it,” he notes. “It really started blooming as a contemporary art form.”

As of now, Burkson primarily exists online but that hasn’t stopped interest and commissions from coming in. This past year, some of his work was displayed at New York City’s Small is Beautiful gallery shop exhibit.

Despite this, he hopes to expand from the virtual world and get out more locally. “I’d really like to get connected,” he says. “The tough part is just balancing two kids on top of it and schedule routine.”

Another one of the biggest challenges is just standing out from the crowd.

“So many great artists are doing this in all sorts of miniature genres,” says Burkson. “Cartoony miniatures is sort of where I’m finding myself fitting in.”

But for someone who creates these models out of passion and fascination, this obstacle isn’t a deterrent: “Miniatures are just really cool,” he says laughing.

To learn more about Sky Burkson’s work, visit his website.