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Used Jonni’s pattern to make a mask for a Safari theme day at my workplace. No one believed I made it until I showed them the inside where my Shreddies boxes showed LOL. Our team used this mask and some cardboard monkey masks to set the scene for the theme day.
Karen Norris
Latest Paper Mache Projects and Tutorials:
Dragon #2 by Cindy Williams
A brand new paper mache dragon by Cindy Williams, with a complete tutorial.
Horse Mask
Create this horse headdress mask for your next theater production, or to wear at Mardi Gras. Either way, it’s sure to get some attention.
Capybara Mask Pattern
What could be more fun that making a paper mache capybara mask? This is an easy pattern to put together, because these giant rodents are shaped like a box. 🙂
New Cheshire Cat Headdress Mask Pattern
New downloadable Cheshire Cat headdress mask pattern is easy to make, and that grin is contagious. 🙂
Raccoon Mask
This easy pattern helps you make a raccoon mask for your next party or performance. Or use it to make an adorable wall sculpture, instead.
Painting the Free Bird Mask with Metallic Paint
Painting the free bird mask pattern with bright colors of metallic paints, using a toucan from Ecuador for a model.
Free Bird Mask Pattern
Make a mask for Mardi Gras, Halloween or just for fun with this free bird mask pattern. It goes together fast, and you can customize it any way you want. Just add paper mache, paint, and your own imagination. 🙂
Giraffe Mask Pattern
Use this pattern to make a giraffe headdress mask pattern for the Lion King Jr. play.
Masks and Sculptures Made by Our Readers :
Pink Lioness
Made by Jill Strzinek This was made for a Breast Cancer Walk. I was totally finished when I realized I gave a female lion a … Read more
Howdy! I was hoping you might be able to tell me if I can use my plastic concrete molds with this paper mache? I have some neat molds of faces and such and would be so thrilled if I could used them to make masks? What say you?
Thank you!
Hi Laurie. If your molds don’t have any undercuts, it might be possible to use them with paper mache. The thing to watch out for is that paper mache shrinks slightly while it’s drying, and that could cause the paper strips and paste to pull away from the edges of your molds, and distort the shapes. Go ahead and try one, and see if you can get it to work. And be sure to let us know how your experiment turned out. 🙂
It seems somewhere I saw you using a watered down glue on the old surface before adding a new layer. Is this necessary with your new improved clay?
The original formula for Silky Smooth Air Dry Clay was not very sticky, and I liked to spread some glue onto the dried layer before adding more. But all of the recipes for paper mache clay, including the one with home-made glue, should stick just fine without painting on the glue first.
Thank you!!!!!
Hi, I just thought I’d tell you that last night I was on the Internet and accidentally found out that USG All Purpose Joint Compound (it has vinyl in it) is in the big buckets at Lowe’s. I looked high and low a few years ago and couldn’t find any anywhere. The ones I’ve tried since then weren’t as good. I had found a Red Devil spackle through Walmart that has vinyl and it’s easier to use than a lot of but it’s pricey and has to be ordered. Please let me know if it’s the same stuff. I can’t remember colors of canister. This one is green print on white. But they could’ve changed it. I have a photo but can’t leave it. Ty for all you do!
Hi Dorcas. I usually buy the USG All-Purpose joint compound, in a green tub. Our Lowes usually has it. I haven’t checked to see if it contains vinyl, though – did your joint compound come in a green tub?
Hi Johnni, I love your work! I just watched the videos about making the wolf sculpture. You mentioned DIY modeling clay. Does that refer to the joint compound with the added paint?
Hi Ladonna. Do you mean the wolf on this page? I covered it with paper mache clay. It really isn’t modeling clay, though – it’s used in a very thin layer, to replace traditional paper mache strips and paste. But you can use it to add some details, like fur and eyebrows. If you were referring to a different wolf, please let me know. 🙂
I have a huge supply of celluclay. Can I use it in place of toilet paper to make your paper clay. Since it already has an adhesive element, should I reduce the Elmer’s glue?
Hi Sharon. I think Celluclay might contain plaster. When you use it, does it harden quickly, but take a long time to actually dry? I remember using a commercial product years ago that did that, but I can’t remember the name of it. If it has plaster in it, it could reduce the working time if you use it in the paper mache clay recipe. But I haven’t tried it myself, so it might work just fine. If you make a small batch and you like the way it works, please let us know! 🙂
Hello from Coyote Flats Texas..
I watched your video on weather proof paper mache..on how to use Portland cement…
I was wondering how it is doing in the outside environment. I was unable to find the follow up video.
Thank you…
Ember
Hi Ember. The one-year follow-up is here. 🙂
Aloha!
I live in a very humid climate.
I paint my paper mache pieces with acrylic paints.
What should I use as a final clear finish to seal the paper mache to protect it from humidity without disturbing the colors previously applied?
Thank you.
Mary
Hi Mary. Lately, I’ve been using Rust-Oleum Matte Clear Enamel to seal my sculptures and masks, but I don’t live in a really humid climate. I can’t test any other products to make sure they’ll work for you, so you might want to find a local artist, and ask them for advice.
Thank you Johnni.
I’ll try it.
Best wishes.
Mary
Hi Mary. Before applying paint, I use a binder primer to improve paint adhesion. Then I recommend applying marine varnish.
Thank you for your reply.
What is a binder primer please?
Aloha!
Thank you for your reply.
Please tell me what a paint binder is.
I use acrylic paints.
Best wishes.
Mary
I searched online for you but wasn’t sure. It’s a material sold in hardware stores in my country. It’s used before applying paint to buildings. This application prevents the paint from peeling due to humidity and rain. I’ve been using this material in my paper mache sculptures for over 10 years. I think if you ask the hardware store staff, they can give you the right product.
Thanks – I’ve never heard of a product like that, but I can see how it would be really useful. I’ll try to see if we have anything like that at our local store.
Thank you for this information.
I’ll check it out.
Aloha.
Mary
Thank you very much for this information.
I will check into this ASAP.
Best wishes.
Aloha. Mary
Well I tried CelluClay. I will never use it again. Even tho I was able to smooth the surface when working it, it dried rough. It says you can sand it but it never gets smooth. Jonni, your silky smooth air-dry clay is so much better. I will never use the CelluClay again.
Thanks for letting us know! 🙂
Aloha,
I’m using wire to form fins for my puffer fish. What can I use to make the webbing in between the wires?
Thank you.
Mary Agenten
I used foil tape and wire for my puffer fish’s fins. You can see how I did it here.
Aloha!
If I would like a more decorative base, can I use paper Mache clay or air dry clay on top of the plaster?
I actually used Citracal 30 for my base.
Thank you.
I’ve used paper mache clay and air dry clay over plaster cloth, and it worked – but I usually put it on after the plaster cloth was hard but not yet dry, so they dried together. Paper mache clay might crack if you put it over your Citriacal base, but the only way to find out is to try it. If you do get some cracks, you should be able to repair them with more wet paper mache clay.
Hi Jonni. I was wondering if you’ve ever tried Celluclay (instant paper mache). I ordered the smallest amount I could just to try it out. It says it dries really strong.
I used it a long time ago when I was making the baby animal dolls to sell at art fairs. I haven’t used it in years. Let us know what you think of it, after you’ve had a chance to play with it. 🙂