Thread: help help !!! with paper mache

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anyone help !!!! does anyone have a proper Technique on how to apply ...... is thier special way not to happy with my method the rip and smack on and how many layers someone help please !!!!!

I use a pretty simple method. I tear paper towels into 3" - 4" wide strips, dip them in a 50/50 white glue and water mix then squeeze out some of the liquid. When I apply it to the armature I usually press in some wrinkles and such. Three or four layers of this will usually be stiff enough for most applications, but if you need a harder surface, use the thick "fancy" napkins. They're harder to handle, but they dry to a rigid surface. The napkins are really soft when wet, so you can sculpt them as needed for better detailing.

Ok .....i was using way bigger pieces .... thanks for the help ..... this t-rex head is huge and i need it sturdy but light if you know what i mean!!!!! thanks again

I use almost exclusively either cheap paper towel or the blue shop towels.
The shop towels are strong and the wrinkle details are nice.

Depending on what I'm making, I use sometimes a whole sheet at a time (gives opportunity to have extra material for details)
The thing is, I usually foam fill the object, so the strength of the paper mache is not as big an issue as a hollow object.

Originally Posted by deoblo

Ok .....i was using way bigger pieces .... thanks for the help ..... this t-rex head is huge and i need it sturdy but light if you know what i mean!!!!! thanks again

If you've ever read 'Paper Mache Monsters' by Dan Reeder, he has interesting techniques for dragon skins (similar to t-rex I would think). He also uses fabric mache, which makes very strong, durable structures.

His website has good tips http://www.gourmetpapermache.com/

yeah i was going to fill it but having a problem how i want to mount it and get it to move ....still up in the air but thank for the idea.......

Originally Posted by DoctorGrim

If you've ever read 'Paper Mache Monsters' by Dan Reeder, he has interesting techniques for dragon skins (similar to t-rex I would think). He also uses fabric mache, which makes very strong, durable structures.

His website has good tips http://www.gourmetpapermache.com/

thats awsome what the fabric do ya think that he uses...thanks for the link

From what I remember, he uses old bed sheets (stuff you may be on the verge of throwing out). The older, more worn the better (less starch, softer)
That's the nice thing about paper mache, you can make art out of junk.

The technique that I use for strip mache is to paste my sheets together first. I use a baking/serving tray and a wallpaper brayer (but you could use anything) ...

I lay a thin layer of paste on the tray.
Then lay down a 1/4 sheet of newspaper -- brush on more paste.
Lay another 1/4 sheet of newspaper.
More paste
Another sheet of newspaper.
Brush on paste.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

Then I use a plastic wall paper smoother/squeegee (again you could use anything that will work) to make these layers tightly bond together.

Now I have a large, wet, 3-layer strip. Since it's wet I can easily rip it into any size or shape of strip that I want. (I usually tear it along a straight edge.)

The strength of paper mache comes from the bond between layers. By doing it this way I make that I have a solid bond *before* putting it on my piece. I can use fewer layers to get the strength I need.

My paste is 6 parts methyl celluse (art paste), 1 part white glue, and 1 part laundry starch, but you could use Stolloween's recipe and substitute flour/water for the methyl cellulose. If you want to add strength in even fewer layers add a little plaster of paris to the glue mix.

The advantage of this technique is that you build up many strong layers quickly -- and it dries quickly too because you squeeze out a lot of the paste (also Methyl Cellulose dries really quickly).

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

My add a layer of paper mache clay over my strip mache for texture and details, so I'm just looking for strength enough to hold its shape for the clay (which also adds strength). I usually use 4-5 layers before clay. First I do a 1-ply layer, then a 3-ply layer going in the opposite direction, then a last 1-ply layer. Then let the piece dry. Then apply a thin layer of paper mache clay.

If you're not adding clay you could add plaster to the glue and stay with 4-5 layers. Or just add another 2/3-ply opposing layer in the middle.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

-- b

Originally Posted by deoblo

Ok .....i was using way bigger pieces .... thanks for the help ..... this t-rex head is huge and i need it sturdy but light if you know what i mean!!!!! thanks again

For HUGE pieces, I've tried a few different methods.

From soaking ENTIRE ROLLS of paper towel in a glue mixture (worked pretty well) to full sheets of newspaper.

What worked the BEST for HUGE pieces was actually dipping burlap in the cheap 1 part epoxy for your garage floor. (Monster mud works, yes, but this is lighter and completely waterproof)