Re: Start of an alligator marionette Posted by Shawn on Mar 19, 2011
Looking really good Dennis! Seems to be a nice smooth coat. Here are a few tips on paper mache' process.
1) Smooth and rub the last coat after it has dried a bit to get edges to lay down... you can wet the areas you want to smooth a bit with some more paste.
2) You can sand lighting in between layers if you let them dry. Again this can knock of edges and bumps you may not want.
3) After a couple coats of news print you can move to something like brown paper hand towels or even tissue paper. These let you keep detail and a smooth coat.
4) Keep your pieces of paper smaller and do not cut but tear the edges.
Not sure you really need those tips really but wanted to have them here in the thread for others.
1) Smooth and rub the last coat after it has dried a bit to get edges to lay down... you can wet the areas you want to smooth a bit with some more paste.
2) You can sand lighting in between layers if you let them dry. Again this can knock of edges and bumps you may not want.
3) After a couple coats of news print you can move to something like brown paper hand towels or even tissue paper. These let you keep detail and a smooth coat.
4) Keep your pieces of paper smaller and do not cut but tear the edges.
Not sure you really need those tips really but wanted to have them here in the thread for others.
Re: Start of an alligator marionette Posted by dacostasr on Mar 19, 2011
Thanks Shawn...I can always use tips!
Dennis
Dennis
Re: Start of an alligator marionette Posted by Shawn on Mar 19, 2011
If I understand what you mean by embossing then yes they can. I use the type of paper towels you find in public restrooms. Often you can find them at party stores or Costco/Sams Club in the tri-fold type. They don't have to be brown since some also come in white.
If Dennis is using the same type of clay as I use then it is Plasticine clay. You can find it in art stores. It is not an air dry clay. It is best to use a releasing agent over the clay before you apply your paper mache'. You can buy products at the art/craft store that are made for this and they normally come in spray cans. I've used Vaseline and even pam as a releasing agent. Once the piece is completely dry you cut it in half carfully try to remove the clay from inside. I try to cut the head along the line right behind where the ears end up. Sometimes you have to cut through the clay also and you end up with two halves that you then dig the clay out of. Depends on how detailed the original is. It is very important to make sure and glue the two half's back together in a timely manner or the continue to dry and can warp. Gluing them together can be a bit tedious but just be patient. You can sometimes glue small tabs on the inside with glue gun to help stabilize the seams while you paper mache' the pieces back together. Word of caution on that though... I have had the glue gun on the tabs release later and then you end up with a bit of cardboard that rattles around in the head. Try not to get the seam area too damp when you are doing this. Use a very dry past or even start with plain old white glue for the first layer.
If Dennis is using the same type of clay as I use then it is Plasticine clay. You can find it in art stores. It is not an air dry clay. It is best to use a releasing agent over the clay before you apply your paper mache'. You can buy products at the art/craft store that are made for this and they normally come in spray cans. I've used Vaseline and even pam as a releasing agent.
Once the piece is completely dry you cut it in half carfully try to remove the clay from inside. I try to cut the head along the line right behind where the ears end up. Sometimes you have to cut through the clay also and you end up with two halves that you then dig the clay out of. Depends on how detailed the original is. It is very important to make sure and glue the two half's back together in a timely manner or the continue to dry and can warp. Gluing them together can be a bit tedious but just be patient. You can sometimes glue small tabs on the inside with glue gun to help stabilize the seams while you paper mache' the pieces back together. Word of caution on that though... I have had the glue gun on the tabs release later and then you end up with a bit of cardboard that rattles around in the head. Try not to get the seam area too damp when you are doing this. Use a very dry past or even start with plain old white glue for the first layer.
Loading
- ← Previous
- 1
- 2 (current)
- 3
- Next →