Easy Pattern for a Paper Mache
Giant African Bullfrog Wall Sculpture
$7
A giant ‘faux trophy mount’ bullfrog? He’s big, he’s silly and he’s green – how could anyone not smile when they see him? And making him is fun, too!
My downloadable PDF Patterns come with full instructions.
There’s no waiting for your pattern to arrive, and no shipping costs, so you can start on your project right away.
Click here if you’d like to know more about how the patterns are delivered. And remember – if you have any problems downloading your files or putting your pattern together, just let me know. I’m always happy to help. 😀
How to make your bullfrog:
This is an easy project because the pattern creates all the shapes for you.
- Just print the downloadable pattern on cardstock.
- Cut out the pieces.
- Tape them together.
- Add a layer of paper mache.
- And then give him a coat of bright green paint – or use colorful tissue paper for the lovely green, like I did when I made my own bullfrog.
Hang him directly on the wall, or use a wooden plaque for that faux taxidermy look.
$7
Watch the videos below to see how easy it is to make…
Putting the Pattern Pieces Together:
Adding the Eyes and Paper Mache:
Adding the Color:
Finished size: About 5.5” (13.97 cm) deep, 5” ( 12.7 cm) high and 6.5” (16.51) wide.
To make this bullfrog sculpture you will need:
- 110# card stock
- A printer
- Scissors
- Clear plastic tape (like Scotch tape)
- Peel N’ Stick Clear Laminate Adhesive Shelf Liner*
- 1 1/2″ Styrofoam balls for the eyes.
- Glue gun, to attach the eyes
- Masking tape (both narrow and wide)
- Aluminum foil, shredded paper or foam packing peanuts for stuffing inside the patterns to support them while you add the paper mache.
- Old newspapers and paste, or blue shop towels and home-made gesso (that’s what I used) or a batch of my paper mache clay (recipes in the Paper Mache Art Library)
- Acrylic Paint and Acrylic Medium
- Colored tissue paper (optional)
- Matte acrylic varnish
*You can find clear shelf liner in the housewares department of Walmart, or order it online. Or use clear tape. It’s to keep the card stock from getting wet when you add the paper mache.
$7
See My Patterns for Paper Mache…
Do you have a question or need help with your pattern?
If you have a question about putting your pattern together or painting it, leave a comment below or on the Daily Sculptors page. I read all comments and answer them as soon as I can, usually within a few hours. Some of my readers might ideas for you, too — we have a very supportive community on this site.
Downloading your files: To see exactly how the downloading process should work, click here. If your pattern doesn’t download correctly and you can’t see the solution on that page, let me know right away so I can help. This is a one-person business, but I check my inbox regularly and will respond as fast as I can.
How would I make the frog head but to attach to a body to make a frog from alice in wonderland? I don’t want to mount it on a wall, I want to make the full body.
Hi Jessie. You would probably want to sculpt the frog from scratch instead of using the 3-D pattern. You can see how I made a small one here, but you could use the same methods to make your frog bigger, if you want. When you finish your frog I hope you’ll come back and show us how it turned out.
Hi Jonni,
Your frog is great… I have a fishing tournament with my dad coming up and I don’t have the time to make this frog on my own. Can you make it for me? I would pay for your time… and i would paint it. Please let me know what you think.
Hi Thomas. I’m afraid I don’t’ have time to make it, either. Sorry. Maybe you could find someone locally who could make one for you.
Jonni! You are awesome! Thank you for sharing your talent and secrets!!! Here is my frog… Not as pro as yours but is is only my 5th project. I’ll get better. Wanted to make this a bit more whimsicle as it’s for a child’s room. (I always use 2 paper plates to mount my heads to)
Hi Lorraine. Your frog image didn’t come through. It may have been too large. Could you make the picture smaller and try again? I’d love to see it. I’m especially interested in the way you mounted your frog.
Hope this uploads 🙂
Hi Jonni!
I changed the plaque for mr froggy Found there was no need to mâché the paper plates. I just put two coats of gesso on two plates glued together (to accommodate the hanger) and painted a faux finish
Lorraine, I like the plaque – I would never guess what it was made out of. Nice paint job, on both Mr. Froggy and the plaque–nicely done.
I love this process it is just what I have been looking for. Would love to see more patterns.
Hi Jonni. I’m 54 and still looking for my first hobby. Can this finally be it? I’m really excited about the possibilities of paper macheing. I’d like to start out with this bullfrog, but I’m really…green at this (nyuk nyuk nyuk). I like that there aren’t exorbitant upfront fees to get started but when faced with buying the cardstock, wow – talk about price differences on Amazon! And choices! Amongst others, there’s Smooth, Metallic, Index, Cover, and Digital Cardstock. There’s differing weights. What am I looking for? What startup tools do I need? Thank you kindly. Michelle.
Hi Michelle. I just went to Walmart and bought the 8.5 x 11 cardstock that they sold. It’s 110lb. weight, and cost $5.48 for a pack of 150 sheets, which will last you a very long time. Amazon only sells it in 250 sheet reams. You can see it here. If you shop at a Walmart, you’d be better off getting it there. For tools you need some plastic tape and masking tape, some scissors, and some flour and water paste. Plus a few sheets of newspaper. I used some colored tissue paper for my frog, but acrylic paint works just was well – maybe even better, since you have more choices of color.
Be sure and let us see your frog when it’s done!
PS: I forgot to mention, the idea is to print and cut on while vinyl like we use in the sign business. It has a strong paper backing already on it which would give your vinyl body and you could still tape it together as the pattern is being assembled.
Where does one find the vinyl for sale? Does it come in smaller sizes that would work on a home printer?
We purchase our vinyl through a wholesale supplier and the vinyl is purchased by the roll. Our rolls are 54″ inches wide so, hardly good for home printer/cutter use. I’m guessing you can try online resources. See if they have 2.5 mil thick vinyl. Any color would work, of course. If you send me an email of the pattern as a .PDF, I’ll try it and see how it works. It would be amazingly cool if it would, right? It’s worth a few attempts.
As someone who worked in the field of graphic design and wide format printing, i had an idea for you to experiment with. It would avoid using tape on the paper pattern pages and avoid you cutting your patterns out. My concept also would mean you can duplicate the process of the patterns ‘near instantly’. Simply have a graphic designer work in software like Adobe Illustrator or Correl to layout the computer cut lines (trace feature) then, print the images on a wide format printer like mine (Roland brand) and the computer will go back and accurately cut every line. Then, it would be as easy as printing and cutting as many sets as you like to duplicate the patterns. A one time investment for the design trace/layout would be part of the process but could yield long term benefits and less work for those duplicating, selling, etc. Just thinking aloud! Enjoying your videos.
I am so excited to have found your paper pattern for the frog today, and I look forward to creating it very soon for my Great Niece who loves frogs. I could see myserlf using many of your patterns, especially 3-D patterns. I have only watched a couple of your videos, but look forward to spending my time here reading your blog and watching your videos. You do such an excellent job on the videos. You are a true artist!. I’ve many paper mache pinatas (fish, robot, guitar, and otherd) for my Grandsons in the past. Last year I made a pumpkin paper mache pinata for my Great Niece. Thank you for all the time you have given to your blog and videos teaching us your tips and tricks. Thank you.
Thanks, BrendaLea. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the site.
By the way, I get a lot of questions about pinatas, and, believe it or not, I’ve never made one. Next time you make one I hope you’ll take progress photos, if you feel at all inclined to write a guest post for us. I know a lot of people would enjoy seeing your pinatas and how you make them. At least I know I would. 🙂
Hi Jonni!
I love your frog designs! Especially the first one you did that you didn’t like as much because you thought it was too big and the lips were not what you wanted. Do you have the pattern for it? Or would you mind selling me the head? I am so busy these days with several projects. I am trying to take leaps where I can to speed up things. I have used one of your paper mache mixtures to make a macaw named “Juanito”. He turned out great!!! So now I want to make a human adult sized Green Tree frog in the Japanese style of “Bunraku” as a magic performer named “Ben Jamin’ “.
Please let me know via my email as early as is convenient.
Thank you for your time and grace in sharing your wonderful skills!
Hi Louis. Your macaw is fabulous! I thought it was real when I first looked at the photo. Amazing.
I did keep a copy of the original frog, and it should be in your inbox now. Let me know if you don’t receive it. I do hope you’ll let us see your frog when it’s done.
Also, do you have a website? The link you gave when you left your comment doesn’t seem to work, and if you do have a website where you show some of your other work and tell us how they’re used, I would love to see it.
Hi Jonni,
Thank you for your help and kind words. It was lots of fun making Juanito! 🙂
I am a an illustrator/ CG artist, but I love just about any form of art. Puppetry and sculpting has a very special place in my heart. But having said that, illustrating does thrill me to no ends. 🙂 Sorry about the giving an incorrect set address…it’s after 2am here in Australia. I suppose that’s my cue to head off to bed! LOL! Anyway, here’s the link again to some of my artwork. If you cut and paste it in, it should work fine.
http://mimibangbang.dunked.com
Cheers!
Hi Louis. Thanks for the corrected link. I’d really be interested in whether or not you think the pattern actually saves you time – with all the taping involved, and considering your sculpting experience, it may be faster for you to make one from scratch.
And now, get some sleep!
Hi Jonni!
Thank you so much for the ‘Large Frog’ Head pattern.
I’m hoping it might be easier to use hot glue, to put the pattern together, just to lay a rough base rather than the chicken wire I used to make Jaunito’s face. I then might use ‘Fosshape’ for the frogs jaw and chest. I’m working on several different puppets too, so I will let you know how Ben Jahmin “The Green Tree Frog” turns out.
Thanks again! 🙂
Hi Louis. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of Fosshape before, but it looks intriguing. I hope you find the pattern helpful, but I’d love to see your green tree frog even if you end up making it some other way. You do lovely work.
Hola Jonni, tanto tiempo, estuve haciendo un guacamayo de papel maché,pero me quedé sin finalizarlo, porque me cuesta muchísimo hacerle bien los ojos, las veces que se lo dibujé lo pinté de blanco otra vez para borrarlos porque no me sale, me ha frustrado un poco, pero a veces lo vuelvo a mirar y una vez mas lo intento.
hola Jonni, yo tambien intenté hacer un guacamayo de maché, pero no me salen los ojos y lo vuelvo a pintar de blanco…
Your paper mache macaw looks great, Viviana, even without the painted head. But you’re right – eyes are hard to get right. Please let us see it again when it’s finished.
Hola Jonni Good, ya terminé mi guacamayo,gracias por motivarme a continuar con mi proyecto.
He came out really nice, Vivana. I especially like the way you’ve mounted the macaw on the metal stand, so he looks like he’s flying. What beautiful birds!
I didn’t realise that I needed a bullfrog….. till now….. The video is really good and clear. Even my hubby is impressed
Thanks, Cherie. If you make one, be sure to let us see it. And you have a great website, by the way. It’s so much fun to see what creative things people are doing around the world.
Thanks Jonni. I love trying my hand at all manner of crafts and I keep discovering new ones. Not enough hours in the day for me.
What a great frog head. I love it. I don’t know if I’d use 3d patterns, but I sure am intrigued to see what all can be done with them, if you continue. What do you think of using fabric as an outter surface for your work, “textile sculpture” , like Mr. Finch? http://www.mister-finch.com/
wow – he does some very interesting things with bits of fabric. I’m not sure how that would work with a sold paper mache body underneath, but it would sure be interesting to find out. Have you made any sculptures that are similar to his work?
No, I haven’t done any textile work. I love it and admire it quite a lot though. I figured that paper mache would actually make the most sense as a structure for the bodies. I saw a video on youtube about art/industrial fabric stiffener and thought that in combination with a paper mache body, and a sort of fabric stiffener in conjunction with paper mache techniques that this type of project could be doable. I have no idea how they do that stuff, otherwise, lol!
We have several comments by people who mention Paverpol, a fabric stiffening product. They’re usually asking if it will waterproof paper mache (opinions seem to differ on the subject, and I haven’t tried it.) Your idea of using something like that to combine fabric and paper mache sounds more interesting. If you ever do try it, please show us how your creations turn out.
Very interesting and fun tutorial! The whole process does seem like fun to do-from the planning of the design, to the 3D printing, to the jigsaw puzzle assembly, to the application of the paper mache. I could see how you could get very excited about the project. Personally, although I love putting jigsaw puzzles together, I don’t think I would use your patterns. I like the creative aspect of sculpting and have never used your patterns except when I made one of the baby animal dolls. I totally have learned everything from you but I adapt what I learn from your videos with my sculpting. I also feel challenged by the happy and not so happy accidents that occur when using my own patterns. That being said, there are a bunch of people out there that already use your patterns and would love these new 3 D patterns. Besides, if you are enjoying yourself, as you obviously are, keep doing it! I learn from every video you make. In my eyes, you are a master sculptor with or without the 3D patterns…you are keeping up with the times…it is the wave of the future. The next thing we will hear about is you coming up with a working paper mache human organ!
Heh – I’m not so sure about that organ business, Eileen. Sounds kind of messy… 😉
I think you’re right about the patterns not being quite the thing for experienced sculptors like yourself – as I mentioned to Arielle, people who are really comfortable with the sculpting process won’t really need them. But I do hope we can encourage more people to take up the art of paper mache, and if the patterns can give them that little extra bit of confidence, right at the start, I think that would be a good thing. And I really am having fun learning something new. (I tried to learn how to write a novel last winter. Didn’t go so well…)
You have the true heart of a teacher and are always so encouraging for the newbie and the oldies. A pattern would encourage people to continue as they would be successful the first time. I admire your willingness to tackle something new and this 3D process sounds really complicated and frustrating to learn. I don’t know if I would have the patience to really learn such a program just for the sake of learning it. It does sound enticing to be able to design a project, make a pattern and then have the project come out perfect the first time around.
If a novel didn’t work out, how about an autobiography? You do write beautifully.
Hi Eileen. I do seem to be compelled to learn something totally new at least once a year. I think it has to do with a low tolerance of boredom.
No autobiography anytime soon, though. 😉
This looks like a really cool idea to get a good basic form to build from. I can see how it would be helpful for doing several of the same or similar sculptures. How is it on time? I would be interested in giving it a shot. Thank you, I am really enjoying, and finding your site helpful!
Hi Arielle. I love the projects you have posted on your website. As for the paper patterns, someone who is comfortable with sculpting could easily create the shapes the old-fashioned way, with crumpled paper and tape, in the same amount of time that it takes to tape the patterns together. However, they would be great for people who are new to the idea of making their own sculptures, and who may need a confidence-booster at first. I also see a great benefit for more advanced sculptors who take the time to learn the 3-D program, because you can play with the shapes, move them about, experiment with postures and facial expressions, etc. At that point, one could either create a papercraft pattern or simply hand-sculpt using the 3-D design as a reference. It took me well over a month to become even half-way competent in the 3-D program, and I have a lot left to learn.
ciao jonny, my name is anna , I live in Rome ( italia) , i am follower of your works in paper mache. I like vary much what you done. In this file i show my first work . With best wisches for happy new year , tahnks .
Anna
Hi Anna. Your photo didn’t show up, and I would love to see it. Please edit the image to make it smaller, and try again.
I really enjoyed the video and am quite intrigued by the 3-D software use. I would love to see more patterns produced. I am partial to bears and deer myself. I would be thrilled to make masks of either one of them.
I truly appreciate your videos and your willingness to share your amazing talent with us.
Jonni, thanks for the wonderful tutorials and the PDF pattern to try it. I think it is a great idea and plan on trying the frog. I would love to see more of this type of project. Especially fantasy creatures like dragons and unicorns. I didn’t catch what the 3-d program was called is it very expensive? Is there a trial version?
Hi Barbara. I do hope you’ll try the frog – and then let me know if you have any suggestions for the pattern or the process. I’m really looking forward to everyone’s feedback on this.
I used the Silo program, which does have a one-month trial version. I went ahead and bought the program at the end of my free month (so I just made a really expensive frog!). After designing the 3-D image, it goes to Pepakura Designer. Unfortunately, that isn’t free either, but you can play with a somewhat disabled version before deciding to pay for the registration.
Enjoy your videos – very helpful and inspirational. Thanks for helping all of us out here. Your cat seems involved in your craft efforts too!
Hi Jonni,
This reminds me of the Hyena project you did some time ago. I would like to see a horse head done with this 3D programme. I’m sure you will get a lot of suggestions, and thanks for the frog pattern. You always make it so easy for us, and you always inspire and challenge us to do greater things in Paper Mache. I like how you used the flour paste. Thanks for another great video.
Thanks, Pearl. This is definitely a high-tech version of the Hyena mask. (With much less wasted cardboard thrown on my floor with each failed version!) A horse would be really fun to do – I’ll put it on my to-do list.
I haven’t yet tried raw flour paste with the shop towels, but I don’t think it would work unless the two plies of the towel were pulled apart. The cooked paste seems to soak in better, but the final coat of paste really does seem to be important. Next time I may use the shop towels or kitchen paper towels for lips and other features, and use newspaper for the rest of it – just to see if I like it or not.
Jonni this is amazing!!!! I would love for you to make more like the frog. I can’t wait to make my own. It looks like it might be a simple way to make the faux trophies that a lot of people are wanting to learn how to make. Book idea for you maybe? I know I have asked you a few times for help with making them, and I want to say thanks for making this series it really helped me understand parts of the process that I was frustrated over. I can’t wait to see what you come up with next. Thank you
Hi Brook. I’m glad you like this idea, because I’m having so much fun with it. As for the book, though, I don’t think it would be possible. My printer doesn’t print on cardstock.
Speaking of printing – have you all seen these amazing papercraft patterns for faux trophy heads from Germany? I love the bear, but I could never afford one. The artist prints the patterns, cuts them out and scores them, so there must be some fancy machine that does it for her (or him?).
When I mentioned the book idea, I ment that you could do these types of projects for another how to book you could write and sell on Amazon. I have all your others, and with so many people into these heads now (check Pinterest out) it would sell big time. I have seen a lot of the heads that use special equipment to cut, what I call, slices out of card board and build the heads from there. You can buy them for huge amounts, but I like these better. I did do the card board slices for that deer head I shared with you awhile back. I used the printer to print the pattern on paper. Taped that to cardboard, cut it all out, put it together and covered with the paper clay. The process was frustratingly long, which is why your frog makes me so excited. More ideas for upcoming projects could be fantasy, like unicorn(which would also cover a horse), griffin, and some mixed creatures like a chimera. African elephant or grizzly would be wonderful to see also. While I am talking to you, I need to ask a silly (for me) question. I made everyone in my family a paper mache sculpture, I posted 2 on the sculptors page. They were the cymbal monkey and adventure time) but could not give them out because I could not poly them. I use a spray poly, the liquid always yellows on me, and the fumes are terrible. How can I protect the finished projects so I can give them to my family. There are 15 waiting so it needs to be cost effective. A spray can of poly is around $5 and would do all of them? I am following your link above to the Germany heads right after I post this novel of a comment! 🙂
Hi Brooke. You have some great ideas. As for the final protective coat, I always use a matte acrylic varnish. It doesn’t seem to yellow at all. You can also use satin or gloss acrylic varnish, depending on the look you want. Some of our readers might have an idea for a spray varnish that stays clear. Ideas, anyone?
Okay those are awesome. Did you look at the whole shop and see they sell ebooks and it looks like something similar to your hyena mask. It’s a paper puzzle you print, score, and glue/tape together. I have seen programs that let you do something similar on your home computer, I think it was under 3-d paper puzzle on Pinterest. To me, it looks like they would have to be done on card stock or something like it to keep shape.
I love this technique, Jonni! Thank you for teaching this to us through your wonderful tutorials!
The 3D web site looks quite daunting and similar to learning a foreign language to me so I appreciate that you have done this leg work for us by posting a PDF. I would love to see a baby elephant head done like this in the future 🙂
Take care, Jonni and thank you again!
Hi Janet. Yes, learning the 3-D process was a real challenge. Fortunately, there are some great videos out on YouTube that really help. I did first try to use Blender, a free program, but it’s designed for the professional movie-makers and game designers, and it had way too many features for me to remember how to use.
A babe elephant sounds like a lot of fun! I’ll put it on my list.
I was SO excited to see that you made an elephant using a 3D papercraft pattern, Jonni! I will have to try making one sometime. I REALLY like how it looks! You are such an inspiration to me!
Janet
Jonni, I love your frog and I am looking forward to seeing the second frog painted. This new pattern form looks challenging , but starting with simpler ones first until we get the feeling of how they go together will work. You are a great teacher and maybe there is another book in here for you 🙂 Always a pleasure checking out your site.
Hi Marilyn. I actually thought that taping the patterns together might get a bit tedious, so I was surprised to find out how much fun it is. It is definitely challenging, though – but if it wasn’t, I’m sure it would get boring too quickly to keep my interest. I think the patterns might get easier to put together after I become more familiar with the design process and learn better ways to unfold the 3-D image in the papercraft program.