The book I'm reading says to coat the plastecine with vaseline. But, it doesnt tell you how to get it off the plastecine when you pull the paper mache off. Does it just mix in with the plastecine? Do you wipe it off or what?

Just wipe of the excess if there is any. Some of it going to end up on the inside of your paper mache' piece also and you should wipe it out.

Thanks Shawn. I'm working on my first project as a professional puppeteer. This is the first time making puppet heads from paper mache. I  "Googled" plasticine and found out it's actually made from vaseline.  This is a learning process. But, I got the first three heads modeled.  4 more to go! 

Thought you might like to see a photo.

Looking good. Make sure you get those two pieces paper mache'd back together before they dry out and warp.  I like the "dressing"  on your clay models.  I do the same thing.

Thanks. I got them back together. I like to model them with the eyes and all to see how they'll look...then I pluck them out before putting on the mache. The paper mache turned out to be a little rough finish. I'm thinking applying a gesso mixture will cure that. Also, I'm going to use Paper Clay for the eyes and ears. I learned about that on a video of yours...um...somewhere. I dont know where you posted that. But, thanks for the tip. Got any good gesso recipes?

[not]

Got any good gesso recipes?

Hobby Lobby!   I just buy off the shelf. I haven't even really found one brand over another that I prefer. 

You can get a smoother finished product by not using news paper.  I like both industrial paper towels (like you see in public rest rooms) and paper sacks like are used for lunches.  Actually it used to be that department stores would put your merchandise in paper sacks and they where just a bit thinner then the lunch paper sacks which was perfect.  Also for finishing coats use tissue paper. If you are like me and lazy then just spread a thin layer of paper clay over the visible area of the face and sand.   After that you gesso and you can end up with a pretty smooth surface.  The brush marks of the gesso and marks from sanding can create a really nice skin texture actually.

Shawn,
I've been making progress on my first professional project. Thanks for your advice about the paper towels. That works really well. Here are some pictures of the progress I've made on the heads. I'll start working on the rod arm bodies this week. Hopefully the puppets will be completed by end of April.









You can see more at my Facebook page.

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/profile.php?ref=profile&id=593505196

I did something like this years ago with a product I think was called fabric form. We used to make giant heads. Some of us older guys might remember. It was a stiff sheet that once dipped in acetate became soft and pliable. You then drapped it over your form and work it until it fit perfectly. Once the acetate dried out it was stiff and hard after that and could be machined and worked like a plastic. I dont think they make it anymore it was nasty stuff. Probably took ten years off my life working with it. You know come to think of it fabric form might have been the replacement which used hot water instead of acetate, never did work as well though.

Anyways just rambling thought this was cool and gave me a walk down memory lane.

Jay

Yep. I like old school man.  I like working with clay. Papier mache' on the other hand is very time consuming. I like the feel of it though. And the price. I may need to switch to a faster way of making heads for rod puppets in the future. Maybe make molds and use rubber?

These are really wonderful. I look forward to seeing them progress. May I inquire, what book were you referring to in your first post?

The book I'm reading says to coat the plastecine with vaseline. But, it doesnt tell you how to get it off the plastecine when you pull the paper mache off. Does it just mix in with the plastecine? Do you wipe it off or what?

what book are you referring to in this post.................... Others may be interested in purchasing it.

Billy D.

I think the book I was refering to was Puppets and puppetry  by Peter Fraser.
Some other really good ones I've got for reference

Hand puppets and string puppets Lanchester, Waldo S. (old as crap but good)

The complete book of puppet theatre Currell, David.

An introduction to puppets and puppet--making Currell, David.

Puppet circus Fraser, Peter

Making and manipulating marionettes  Currell, David.

Several books by Luman Coad Coad Canada Puppets

The Foam Book Drew Allison

also I picked up a copy of Hansjürgen Fettig's Hand and rod puppets : a handbook of technique from my local library. It's really got alot of good stuff in it.
.

...also I picked up a copy of Hansjürgen Fettig's Hand and rod puppets : a handbook of technique from my local library. It's really got alot of good stuff in it.

Boy, I'm envious. I've been looking around on the web to see if that's available anywhere. So far, no luck, but you never know.

Thanks for the list.