Daily Sculptors Page
Join the conversation and share your paper mache sculptures with our supportive community.
No artwork to share today? That’s OK, too… We’d love to hear from you. Just scroll down to the bottom of this page and use the comment form.
The latest photos from 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
I’ve attempted to add pictures of finished work several times via your sculpture page. No email or error message or post, so assume they are not getting through. Again by IPad so may be a glitch as had trouble downloading free pattern.
Hi Mike. Your photos did come through, but I’ve been really slow getting them posted. I moved last month, and had a minor health issue, so I’ve been really slow doing almost everything. I do hope everything will be back to normal soon. Your sculpture is really interesting, by the way – I know everyone will love it when I finally get it online. 🙂
Hi Joni,
I love your site and work! I am producing a cozy mystery about St. Francis and the Blessing of the Animals. I was wondering if anyone could make us a paper mache head of a black German Shepherd? The idea is the dog would be in a stretcher and get blessed. Unfortunately it’s too hard to get a real dog to lie still for a few minutes : )
Hi Jim. If you don’t find anyone to make your German Shepherd, and if it’s only going to be on stage for a few minutes, you might be able to make the head using the wolf mask pattern. It isn’t exactly the same shape as a GS, but it might be enough to get you started on making one. 🙂
Ok, thank you Jonni. I’ll take a look 🙂
Hello. I am wondering what the best way is to attach my moose head to a wood backing. Ultimately, I am planning to attach the moose head to a wooden body to make a complete moose. So I am trying to figure out what the most structurally sound option might be. Thank you!
For something like that, where it isn’t just sitting quietly on the wall, you might want to cut a piece of plywood to fit inside the opening at the back of the neck. Then you could use both wood glue and wood screws to hold the neck onto the plywood. Additional sections could be screwed onto the wooden back, to secure all the neck pieces together. I’m just making this up, though – I’ve never done anything like that myself.
Hi. We are working on an annual parade float and I’ll be attempting to make a giant caterpillar (Heimlich) from A Bug’s Life movie as that is the kindergartens theme. Which pattern could I use a base? Or how best can I attempt this? I have done extremely basic paper mache at school but not using any structure just over balloons that we then deflated, so my skill set is very minimal. Thank you in advance for any advice.
Hi Shelly. I don’t have a pattern that even close to Heimlich, so I don’t think any of my patterns would work for you. I tried to search on Etsy.com for a papercraft pattern for him, but it doesn’t look like anyone has one. However, his shapes are fairly simple, so you should be able to make one yourself. I don’t know how big he needs to be, but you can crumple newspaper to make the shapes, cover the newspaper with masking tape to hold it together, and then cover it with paper mache. If it’s not going to be super big, you could use crumpled foil instead, which is a little easier to use.
Good luck with it – and have fun! 🙂
Hi Jonni. Thank you for replying. I ended up using PVC piping for the main internal support then made poly tube circles and attached to cardboard then cut out centres to attach to the main support, then I used foil and paper to pack between the discs I then covered in foil to help create the smoother finish and then again in masking tape. I then added some foil details and covered with masking tape. I am now at the stage to cover in paper mache before painting then doing a top protector coat of something… what would you suggest would be best method at this stage? I was thinking your new no PVA glue recipe to add strips of paper but I wasn’t sure…. I am in Australia so his dimensions are I’d say body at widest to 45cm and from end to end about 150cm. I’d add a photo but I not sure how to
Hi Shelly. The paper mache clay recipe is intended to replace paper strips and paste – it isn’t used to stick paper to a sculpture. Some people like to use a flour and water paste and paper strips first, and then add a thin layer of paper mache clay, but I prefer to skip the paper strips and go straight to the paper mache clay. However, if paper strips and paste are easier for you, or if you just like the look, you can use that, with flour and water paste, and skip the paper mache clay. I hope that isn’t too confusing – but you really only need to use one, either the strips or the paper mache clay. Both work great, and I use both of them on different projects. Because you’re working on a pretty big project, you might want to use the paper strips and paste because it’s much less expensive than paper mache clay.
Hi Jonni. The project is finished! How do I share some pics with you?
I am doing a paper mache Orangutan. The video on how to do it was very helpfull and fun. I am doing this for a school projekt about the impacts of palm oil.
I would love to learn how to make a fox mask!!!
That’s a great project! It’s so sad that our orangutans are losing so much of their habitat. For your fox, you can make it the same way as the baby orangutan – just put the crumpled foil in a different shape for the muzzle, using a photo of a real fox as a guide. After the foil is shaped the way you want it, cover it with plastic wrap before adding several layers of paper mache. That way, you can easily remove the foil after the paper mache is dry. I do also have a pattern for a fox, if you’d like a faster project. You can find it here. Have fun! 🙂
Hi Jonnie, I’d like to make a trash bin from paper mache. Do you have any instructions? If not, would you suggest using a box for the frame? Would you use the uncooked recipe? Can I paint the final layer? And what varnish would you suggest? Thanks so much, Fran
Hi Frances. Yes, a box will work well, and you can use any form of paper mache to make something like this – as long as you remember that paper mache isn’t waterproof. So, don’t put anything in the trash bin that would need to be washed out. You can also use any paint, although we usually use acrylics. And any varnish will work, too. Use whatever is easiest for you to find.
Hello!
What would you suggest to use for covering fabric? We are creating the front car out of a couch for a theater production. So I was thinking of using paper mache on the couch arms where the headlights would be. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
Are you looking for something that will make the original upholstery solid, so the paper mache will stick to it? I’ve never done anything like that, but Eileen Gallagher shared a photo of a sculpture she made with Paverpol. I don’t know if it can be brushed onto fabric to make it solid, though. Another option would be to cover the seats with plaster cloth first, and then add the paper mache after the plaster cloth is hard. It won’t be strong enough to prevent cracking if someone sits on it, though. If anyone else has some better ideas, please let us know. 🙂
Hi, Michelle.
I would like to suggest “Sta Flo” Liquid Starch. It’s sold in plastic jugs and can be found online. It’s cheaper in quantities. Otherwise, it’s overpriced. I don’t know if any grocery or department stores carry it anymore. A few other brands are “Faultless” and “Niagara”. Just dip the fabric into the liquid and spread or drape it over your surface. It will dry stiff. You might want to try a fabric swatch first.
If you can’t find the liquid starch, then try the “Argo” powdered laundry starch or last but not least, Cornstarch. Both types of powdered starches can be diluted in water and heated on the stove. Stir slowly until it becomes clear (up to the boiling point). Remove from the burner so that it won’t overflow. Shut off burner and allow it to cool. If it’s too thick, add water. If too thin, mix a separate batch and gradually stir it in until thickened. It shouldn’t be thicker than the consistency of syrup.
I hope that this helps.
Regards,
Rozani
Thank you for mentioning “Stay Flo”. This works well for fabric on walls instead of wallpaper. Once starched on the walls and you need to take it down. (let’s say it’s a rental and you’re moving out)… you can simply peel off the fabric without any residue left on the wall! Amazing!
Hi there!
I just bought your cow head pattern. How do I double it but still print on normal-sized paper? Thank you!
Hi Annelise. I have a video that shows how to do that. You can find it here. Have fun! 🙂
Hi there!
My name is Annelise, and I am a student prop designer at Occidental College. Super excited to start working on the cow head for the show! I am doubling the dimensions and was wondering if you had any advice on how to transfer the pattern to a doubled size? Not sure the best way to go about it. Thank you!
Hi Annelise. I have a video that shows how to do it. You can find it here. Have fun! 🙂
Hi, Jonni. ?
I’ve enjoyed watching you create wonderful things ever since I can remember. Though I use liquid starch as my adhesive, working with papier mâché and the paper strip method have provided such enjoyment for me through the years. I look forward to catching up and contributing to this group in the near future.
Regards,
Rozani
Thanks for joining us, Rozani. Have a great day. 🙂
Oopsie……Apparently, there’s a question mark which I could not remove. I’m not sure why but my icons are not showing up. Sending smiles.
Yes, that happens. I don’t know why the WordPress program blocks icons, but if you use the colon and end paragraph keys on your keyboard, they’ll show up as smiley faces. I don’t know if it’s possible to do a thumbs-up. I’m not sure that made sense, so I”ll see if I can do that without just making a smiley face. …:)… will turn into this 🙂 if you leave off all those periods.
Hi Jonni, I was just watching one of your papier-mache videos because I am helping a friend do a store display table to promote her honey business. I am trying to make 9 oversized honey bees with a body that is 18 inches long, including the head, thorax and abdomen. I am worried that without a pattern, they won’t end up looking the same size and shape. Have you ever designed a pattern for a large honey bee?
Any help or suggestions would be very welcome!
Hi Carol. That sounds like a really fun, challenging project! I have no patterns for any kind of insect, but I have a video that shows how to make simple cardboard patterns that set the outline of a sculpture. You would need to fill in all the round shapes with crumpled paper or foil, but at least all the bees would be the same size, and their proportions would be correct. You can see the video here. And this video shows how to fill in the rounded forms with foil. Have fun!
Thank you so much, Jonni. I watched both videos, and they are so helpful. This way, I can keep them consistent in size, paint colour, and finishing, but they will still have their own personalities. I think the only thing that I will add is their arms, antennae, and legs, using a flexible wire at this stage. The last thing to go on will be the wings, which I have a plan to use semi-transparent mylar and black Sharpie to fill in the details. Wish me luck!
Hi. You are my sculptor hero/inspiration! I am dying to know a good way to make a life size dog, bigger than a chihuahua! Like your basset hound! Do you have a book that I can learn from for this? I also want to teach it to middle school age kids.
If you could point me in the right direction regarding the armature, I would love that!
Thank you,
Sue Brown
Hi Sue. The only large dog I made with the camera turned on was the Basset Hound – but I do have a book showing how the process works for any animal. You can find it here. The page that shows how to create your own patterns is at the end of the piggy chapter. 🙂
Hi Jonni!
I am blown away with the amazing pieces in the group using your templates and videos!! It’s just incredible and inspirational. There is a lot of talent here.
I bet some people didn’t realize how much until they attempted to try it.
I’ve purchased and downloaded several of your templates. I’ve purchased your books. But I have craft ADHD and have yet to create anything from the templates. 🙂
Thanks for your kind words, Maggie. I agree that the projects that people show us are amazing! I hope that, one day, you’ll make something with paper mache so you can show it off here. We’d love to see it. 🙂
Hi!
Wow! I am truly impressed with your talent, Jonni.
I wanted to see if you could direct me to a pattern for an eagle sculpture. I am VP of Education for the PTA of an elementary school in Houston, TX and part of my role is assisting the Art Car Club put together an Art Car for the Houston Art Car Parade(we won first place in our division last year!) This year they are wanting to create a giant eagle to put on top of the car! I stumbled upon your website while looking for ideas of how to make this happen with them.
I searched your website and I saw the eagle mask pattern which is why I am inquiring about a full eagle sculpture pattern. I am also including a link to the Houston Art Car Parade website so you can see what exactly it entails 🙂
Thank you so much for your content!
Hi Erin. I don’t have a full eagle pattern. You might be able to find a papercraft eagle pattern on etsy.com
Hi Jonni!
I just discovered you and your wonderful work while looking for tips on how to add fur to a paper mache mask. I am in the UK and have just finished the base for a very fun scary rat mask for my monster drag show- now I wish I’d seen you videos first!
I think the mask will hold up OK at least for the performance (fingers crossed), but I would like to hear your thoughts on how to attach fur strips to the top? The mask base is an eye mask I extended with cereal box card over the head a bit, and I want to make a kind of tumbling cowl of fur and string and dreadlocks and other such junk over the top and falling down around my shoulders. I can sew, have rivets and lots of hot glue and staples!
I will for sure be following your methods in future though- you’re brilliant! And if I could be extra cheeky, it would be so cool to see you do a scruffy little street rat creation too! (I’ll definitely have to download the pattern and copy you if you do!)
Have a wonderful day and thank you for bringing such wholesome joy to the whole world!
Hi Taz. That sounds like a really fun project – but the only fake fur I’ve used so far is a wig that I used for one of my orangutans. I just used hot glue. A lot of people have shared photos of masks on the Daily Sculptors page of masks they’ve made with fur, and most of them look a lot better than my orangutan’s wig. Some people don’t watch for comments on their posts, but others do, and you might get some useful ideas from them. I hope you’ll show us your rat mask when it’s done. 🙂
Thank you very much, I shall have another look at your orangutan and have a look round the comments as you suggested!
I will send a pic of the rat when it’s done, but it might be quite a scary monster rat haha 🙂
Hi Jonni! My son wants to be El Gran Maja for Halloween. I believe I can create this headpiece using your methods. Do you think if I doubled the width of the shark pattern that would be a good base? He wants his head to be fully inside the mouth hidden behind the teeth using a black sheer fabric. I was going to use a plain baseball cap as a base to build on for a solid fit since the head of this monster is so wide. I’ve built a lot of costumes but never had the guts to attempt mask making but I think your way would be wonderful! Any advice you give is appreciated!!!
Hi Jennifer,
The shark pattern is already oversized, so wearing a baseball cap inside helps it stay level on the head. And you do look out through the mouth – but his mouth isn’t nearly as wide as the El Gran Maja creature. I looked at some images of the creature, and it’s possible that you could use the shark pattern’s cap and the top portion of the head, but mostly as a base for the ‘real’ mask. Some wide cardboard could be put on top of the shark, and maybe hinged to the new bottom jaw. It’s so wide that I’m not sure how the top and bottom jaws could be attached to each other. That wide mouth out in front of your son’s face would tend to make the mask unbalanced, but he could put a couple of straps below his chin to help with that. And if the big flat piece of cardboard extended both behind your son’s head, and in front of it, that would help, too. This is going to be a challenging project, but it will be an exciting mask when it’s done. Have fun with it!
Jonni,
Would you be interested in making my grandson the headdress for Pumba or know someone that would be. He is in a play the middle of November. Looking forward to your response.
Hi Alice. I don’t make the finished masks to sell, but the pattern comes with full instructions, so almost anyone can do it. If you don’t know anyone who would have fun helping you with it, maybe you could get a referral to an artist or craftsperson from the art department of your local high school or college. They really don’t need any experience to make the mask, once they have the pattern.
Awesome! Thank you, Jonni!
Jonni! Hi! I was just watching one of your paper mache videos because I am wanting to make a three faced witch mask for this Halloween. I joined a witch dance group who dances in our neighborhood for all the kids trick or treating on Halloween night. I have never even attempted anything like it. But I found an inspiration image on Pinterest, then went to YouTube to look for some diy videos, and found you. I hesitated to reach out to ask for help, but then I saw that we share the same last name!!! My name is Erin Good. Although, most people know me as Foxy Goodstone.
Mardi Gras is my absolute favorite holiday, and I have paper mached in the past, but it’s been a long time. Anyway. I’d love to send you the inspiration image, and am curious if we can figure out how to make this together, or if you know someone who else who could help me. Either way, I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you!
Hi Erin. It sounds like my latest mask pattern would be perfect for your three-witches mask. It’s a blank mask with eye holes and a spot for your nose, so you can add anything you want over it. And if you print the face portion two extra times, you could attach them on the sides and be looking in three different directions. 🙂
You can add features and details with crumpled foil held on with hot glue, and shaped the same way you would if you were using clay. When you like the way your faces look, cover all of the foil with masking tape, so your paper mache will stick to it. You can find the new free blank mask pattern here. Have fun with it!
Hello, can you please tell me which patterns would be most similar to the Fox and the Hound movie characters? I’m so excited my daughter wants to be this with me ?
Hi Nicole. I don’t have any patterns that are the same as the characters in the movie, because the characters are trademarked. I do have a fox mask pattern, though. I don’t have a hound, but the pit bull mask might work with some changes. The ears would have to be moved to the side of his head, and be made longer so they hang down. His muzzle is really big, though – so maybe the wolf mask with altered ears would be closer. Whatever you decide, it sounds like the two of you are going to have fun! 🙂