Need help with finger puppet construction! Posted by david_puppeteer_27 on Aug 12, 2012
Hey everyone,
I'm a theatre artist who sometimes creates puppets for his productions. I've designed and built a couple of different kinds of puppets before (mostly shadow puppets), but I'm in the middle of making finger puppets for the first time.
I found this video on the internet and am constructing them similar to the following process:
I followed the instructions in the video pretty closely, though I did add the use of Crayola Model Magic, which is causing some problems (described below).
I am building different human heads for the finger puppets. For the neck/finger socket I am using a toilet paper roll. The toilet paper roll is then stuck inside a carved out opening of an ostrich-sized styrofoam egg (which serves as the head).
On top of the styrofoam egg, I carved/sculpted to add dimensions/depth in the face and its features. I also built features on top of the styrofoam egg using Crayola Model Magic.
Like in the video, I put Celluclay (a paper mache-like mix) smoothed out all over the styrofoam head, to make it durable and so that it would be able to take the wear and tear of rehearsals and performances. However, the Celluclay would not cover the Model Magic, as I had originally planned.
I'm worried because I know that the Model Magic will not withstand the wear and tear of performances. What might I layer on top of the Model Magic to make it more durable? I was thinking of purchasing a matte gesso, and putting that on top of the Model Magic, and then smoothing it out with sandpaper (if necessary). Would this work? Does anyone else have any other ideas/suggestions? I would love to hear what others have to say!
Once the finger puppet heads are durable, I am planning to paint them with acrylic and then put clear Liquitex Matte Varnish over the paint to make it more durable. Is this a good idea, or is there a better product to layer on top of the acrylic paint so that it does not chip off?
I look forward to hearing what others have to say! Thank you so much for your help!!!
I'm a theatre artist who sometimes creates puppets for his productions. I've designed and built a couple of different kinds of puppets before (mostly shadow puppets), but I'm in the middle of making finger puppets for the first time.
I found this video on the internet and am constructing them similar to the following process:
I followed the instructions in the video pretty closely, though I did add the use of Crayola Model Magic, which is causing some problems (described below).
I am building different human heads for the finger puppets. For the neck/finger socket I am using a toilet paper roll. The toilet paper roll is then stuck inside a carved out opening of an ostrich-sized styrofoam egg (which serves as the head).
On top of the styrofoam egg, I carved/sculpted to add dimensions/depth in the face and its features. I also built features on top of the styrofoam egg using Crayola Model Magic.
Like in the video, I put Celluclay (a paper mache-like mix) smoothed out all over the styrofoam head, to make it durable and so that it would be able to take the wear and tear of rehearsals and performances. However, the Celluclay would not cover the Model Magic, as I had originally planned.
I'm worried because I know that the Model Magic will not withstand the wear and tear of performances. What might I layer on top of the Model Magic to make it more durable? I was thinking of purchasing a matte gesso, and putting that on top of the Model Magic, and then smoothing it out with sandpaper (if necessary). Would this work? Does anyone else have any other ideas/suggestions? I would love to hear what others have to say!
Once the finger puppet heads are durable, I am planning to paint them with acrylic and then put clear Liquitex Matte Varnish over the paint to make it more durable. Is this a good idea, or is there a better product to layer on top of the acrylic paint so that it does not chip off?
I look forward to hearing what others have to say! Thank you so much for your help!!!
Re: Need help with finger puppet construction! Posted by Shawn on Aug 12, 2012
Welcome David! Glad you where able to register! Sorry for the inconvenience. (@others - There was an issue with registration due to some of the new features I added.)
I use the a very similar technique as the one described in the video with just a bit of a twist. I use Creative Paper Clay instead of Celluclay or Model Magic. I prefer it because it is a bit more re-fined then the other two. Also it is very durable. Now with any of these products if you build them up too much i.e. an ear or nose then they can break off. To combat that I often insert a couple dowels/wooden skewers to help support the protrusion. Something I've also done in the past is to add a thine layer of regular paper mache' using tissue paper. This gives you a thin "skin" around the entire piece and can sometimes help. Gesso is a must in my opinion before painting. One it again gives you a protective "skin" and two it helps re-fine the details of your puppet head. I try for around 3-5 layers that are sanded in between. The more layers and sanding the smoother your surface ends up being. Your matte varnish should be fine. I use spray matte sealer on mine. This is really more visual I think though. The reason paint chips is because it did not bond well with the surface it was painted on. Gesso should help that. Something to keep in mind is that just like if you paint on wood you first want to sand so that paint has something to absorb into you want the same for your puppet heads. Same goes for your gesso. Did you realize that glue or wheat paste can create a seal? Before I gesso I always do a light sand of my surface.
Hopefully I answered your questions. Here is a link to a hidden area of PandS that shows part of the process I use as described above. http://carnival.puppetsandstuff.com and here is a link to the Creative Paper Clay site although you should be able to find it in hobby stores. http://www.paperclay.com/index.htm I've always purchased from them direct because in my area some of the hobby stores where selling really old product.
I use the a very similar technique as the one described in the video with just a bit of a twist. I use Creative Paper Clay instead of Celluclay or Model Magic. I prefer it because it is a bit more re-fined then the other two. Also it is very durable. Now with any of these products if you build them up too much i.e. an ear or nose then they can break off. To combat that I often insert a couple dowels/wooden skewers to help support the protrusion. Something I've also done in the past is to add a thine layer of regular paper mache' using tissue paper. This gives you a thin "skin" around the entire piece and can sometimes help. Gesso is a must in my opinion before painting. One it again gives you a protective "skin" and two it helps re-fine the details of your puppet head. I try for around 3-5 layers that are sanded in between. The more layers and sanding the smoother your surface ends up being. Your matte varnish should be fine. I use spray matte sealer on mine. This is really more visual I think though. The reason paint chips is because it did not bond well with the surface it was painted on. Gesso should help that. Something to keep in mind is that just like if you paint on wood you first want to sand so that paint has something to absorb into you want the same for your puppet heads. Same goes for your gesso. Did you realize that glue or wheat paste can create a seal?
Before I gesso I always do a light sand of my surface.Hopefully I answered your questions. Here is a link to a hidden area of PandS that shows part of the process I use as described above. http://carnival.puppetsandstuff.com and here is a link to the Creative Paper Clay site although you should be able to find it in hobby stores. http://www.paperclay.com/index.htm I've always purchased from them direct because in my area some of the hobby stores where selling really old product.
Re: Need help with finger puppet construction! Posted by Shawn on Aug 13, 2012
BTW: I just really noticed your subject line. I think you are talking about glove or hand puppets here not finger puppets. A finger puppet would be very small and you could fit five on each hand. Glove or hand puppets are like the old Punch and Judy style and you fit one per hand with our index and or pointer finger in the head and then your thumb and pinky in the hands of the puppet. Just thought I should clear that up.
I think you are talking about glove or hand puppets here not finger puppets. A finger puppet would be very small and you could fit five on each hand. Glove or hand puppets are like the old Punch and Judy style and you fit one per hand with our index and or pointer finger in the head and then your thumb and pinky in the hands of the puppet. Just thought I should clear that up.
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