hawt

Thursday, January 2, 2014

All about Papier mache - all in just one easy page !

In today's post, I decided to post about Papier Mache, which is a fun and professional yet eco friendly way to sculpt . Since I learnt about it, and since it's end of the term now, maybe it's a good way to summerize :)
I would post in two posts- one including how to actually Papier Mache, and one to actually develop this and make an animal mask out of it.
WARNING : THIS PAGE IS BASICALLY HOW TO MAKE  A SCULPTURE OUT OF PAPIER MACHE. IF YOU WANT TO SEE HOW TO MAKE A MASK OUT OF PAPIER MACHE, SEE THE OTHER POST.

sculptures I found interesting

So what is papier mache ? A Papier Mache is a malleable mixture of paper and glue, or paper, flour, and water, that becomes hard when dry, and by using this method, you can create, sculpt , and make all kind of things.

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WHAT WILL YOU NEED ?
You would first need glue, and some water, and some brush - here let me just give you a list. 
LIST OF THINGS YOU WOULD BE NEEDING
  • GLUE : Now, not just some glue stick whatever, (ddakpul- we like to call it in Korea ) you would have to make one of pastes for papier maches, like one of those orange bowls you see at the top ?Now here are some options you can make some paste of Papier mache: 
  OPTION 1:  3/4 white glue to 1/4 water (or if using a good, thick glue, like elmers you can do 1/2 and 1/2)
  OPTION 2:  COOK METHOD:  1 part flour to 5 parts water... boil about 3 minutes and let cool  (my          favorite!  it's the cheapest method and is nice and smooth
   OPTION 3:  1 part flour to 1 part water.  Stir together.
If you success, you will find with a bowl of gloopy liquid colour of milk.
  • THICK PAPER OR NEWSPAPER : So papier mache is basically making a sculpture out of paper, so you would need a bunch of newspapers, that you don't use would be great. Just any source of paper would be great.
  • A BRUSH : the brush should be strong and thick, with all the glue over it.
  • CELLO TAPE : I actually found these cello tapes excellent for sculpting, and getting shape for my sculpture. 
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HOW WILL YOU DO IT ?
  1. So this is how I did it :
  2. First , tear up the paper and newspaper into pieces. It does not have to be neat, just tear it up, hun!
  3. Now make the model of the sculpture : I found this as the hardest, you will have to chunck off your creativity, and make the model of your sculpture. For example if you are making a um- pinata, you could make a ball of newspaper by wrinkling all up(:body ) and make a smaller version of that ( :head) and connect them with cellotape. 
  4. now its show time ! use the BRUSH and the PASTE you made earlier. First slowly brush the paste on the model you made with the brush , making it glimmering. Then apply those newspapers on to this model on the paste. Now layer the paste again on top of this newspaper you pasted, with your brush- leaving it with paste. You may do it more if you like, but no more than 4 layers. 
  5. Do it all over the model, with a thin mold of paste and newspaper. It might look chaotic at the meantime, but it would work out soon enough.
  6. Now leave the sculpture out in the sun, somewhere dry. 
  7. Let it dry completely . : Now you will find your sculpture solid, not as chaotic as much *laugh* at 6.
  8. Now you are done ! :)
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OTHER (TIPS / SKILLS )
Now you are finished!! Was it easy ? I hope it was. *giggle *
now I 'm going to show you some tips and skills I found in the internet : Hope you find it useful.
  • Q: I hate the paste smell - can I let it go away ? If so, how ?  
  • A: A little cinnamon to the recipe and it would take away the smell. 
  • Tips of a online user 'TRISH' to a dolphin papier mache
    "I briefly looked at your dolphin paper mache...  Have you ever tried using an old 2 litre soda bottle instead as your base? I use these a lot for paper mache.  They are a good size and easy to cut and tape to alter to suit your needs. I taught Art to 4-7 graders and we made Elephants, Hippo's and Parrots out of the paper mache using the soda bottle method.  I made a wonderful dolphin using a mineral water bottle that had a beautiful triangular shape.  Wish I had a picture!!

    Try this easy paper mache paste recipe:
     - Take 1 heaped soup ladle of powdered cornstarch
     - Place in a heat proof bowl
     - Add enough COLD water to form a paste and to dissolve powder to consistency of thick cream.
     - Pour in one kettleful (1.7 litres) of RAPIDLY BOILING (MUST be bubbling away...) and stir like crazy...!

    It is very very HOT like porridge and it can form lumps so I usually give it a whisk or beating with my electric mixer to smooth it.
    Paste should change from opaque white to translucent once the boiling water is added.
    It will keep a few days and can be microwaved to be heated so it's less "jelly-like".  Kids love to use it while it's warm, but it works equally well cold.

  • Pam says : Rather than make our own paste for paper mache, we use liquid starch that is relatively inexpensive.  I bought a large jug at the supermarket that we have been using for years. Sounds like it gives the same result as the cooked method.  It dries smooth and clear - fantastic for use with gift wrap scraps.  We use it with brown grocery bags when we want to create pottery or leather looking crafts."
    Thanks to Pam for sharing this idea!


END OF POST. HOPE YOU GUYS ENJOYED ! :)

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