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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
I am literally obsessed with all your projects! The tutorials and projects are so well put together. I cant wait for more!! Where can I post my done projects to show them off ??
Hi Sheri – welcome! You can show off your projects on the Daily Sculptors page. 🙂
Hi I need your ADVICE! I have a 7 ft tall tree sculpture I have made using pool noodles, spray foam, chicken wire and zip ties. I have almost finished putting on the plaster cloth over the whole sculpture. I was wondering if you have any advice for me with a project this large. I own a tree gear store and there was a pole in the middle of the showroom floor so I just turned it into my tree sculpture. I first put chicken wire around the pole, then zip ties pool noodles around that and built my shape and then put chicken wire around that – then covered it was plaster cloth. It will be inside and won’t obviously be moved. Is there a medium you would suggest for me to do over the plaster cloth for detail and some form? I haven’t ever done anything like this before so any advice would be greatly appreciated. I also want to build up the shape of it some more… what would you suggest for that? It would now be OVER the plaster cloth.
Hi Amanda. That sounds like a fun project! For adding more shapes, I’d use crumpled foil. You can sculpt with it almost like clay, and stick it to the plaster with hot glue. For a final skin and some final details, you could use my paper mache clay recipe. You can find it here.
Hi there,
I just had a question regarding the drying of your paper clay. I’ve made a batch and am using it to make christmas presents but I wasn’t sure if I’m supposed to let it air dry or if I can safely speed up the drying in an oven?
Thank you for the recipe, I’ve loved the texture and the amount of detail I can get 🙂
Hi Cass. You can put them in the oven if you keep the temperature at 250F or below, and if you don’t have any exposed plastic tape that might melt. If your oven has a fan, be sure to turn it on, because that will greatly speed up the drying time. If you have larger items that won’t fit in the oven, put them in front of a fan. It speeds up the drying time even without the extra heat. Have a great Christmas! 🙂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRQ6rAAY1Co
This could be an idea to waterproof your outside sculptures Jonni
Regards
pete
That looks really interesting, Peter! Thanks for the link – I’ll have to look into that. It could be a fun experiment. 🙂
Hi Jonni!
I’ve made the paper machè recipe twice. Each time it’s very sticky. I have added a 1/4 cup of flour each round of mixing. I go from a “cake batter” consistency to a “bread dough ” consistency. I can’t achieve the clay texture.
I’m meticulous…..recipes are easy for me to follow and achieve. Toilet paper is properly wet and broken apart. I’m using USG ‘Plus 3’ Joint Compound, and old fashioned Elmer’s Glue.
What in the world am I doing wrong?
Thanks for your help!
Hi Amy. I’m not sure what’s going wrong, but the recipe will never feel exactly like real clay. It’s a form of paper mache, and intended to be spread in a thin layer over an armature, so it needs to be sticky. But it should be firm enough to hold fine details, even though it isn’t real clay. It’s possible that your lightweight joint compound isn’t working well with the Elmer’s glue – the companies do change their formulas sometimes. You might want to try the newer recipe that uses a home-made ‘glue’ instead of Elmers. You can find that recipe here.
Hello
I am new to paper mache and want to try the no glue recipe on a mask I am working on but have several questions
1- can it be applied to Dover clay
2- do I have to worry about mold
3- can it be painted over well with acrylics
If you use any recipe of paper mache clay over real clay, you’ll want to put a layer of plastic over the clay first. I have a video showing how to add paper mache over clay here.
You need to make sure paper mache clay dries quickly, and be sure you don’t paint it until it’s completely dry. Mold can’t live without water. If you live in a very humid environment, you’ll want to talk to a local artist who works with paper mache.
And yes, we use acrylic paint over paper mache clay. But it is heavier than paper strips and paste, and it dries very hard. I recommend using at least one layer of paper strips and paste on the inside of a mask, because it’s difficult to sand paper mache clay completely smooth after it’s dry.
Hello Jonni,
I’m a multimedia artist. (I’ve retired from being a commercial artist)
I’ve been a subscriber of your YouTube channel for several years. However YouTube hasn’t shown me any new ones for some time. I live in Australia I’ve wanted your book for ages (pretty much since you said you were writing it) sadly l couldn’t afford to purchase it new plus shipping from the USA. However I recently ordered a used copy from eBay.
I’m so glad your toad has faired well in the Minnesota weather as I really have several projects I want to do and place in my garden.
I’ve done many paper mache projects. I’m happy to share some photos if you are interested.
Hi Celinda. If you’d like to be notified when I upload a video or article, you can subscribe to my newsletter here. And we would all love to see your paper mache projects! You can upload photos, and tell us about your projects, here.
I noted that you had a complaint about paint, glue, epoxy, etc. sticking to your hands and it was very hard to rid hands of this sticky stuff. Here is a trick I learned while working with fiberglass resin. Take dry coffee grounds and rub them over your affected hands. Let it dry for a minute or so, then wash off with Dawn Powerwash or other detergent. It will come off completely in a flash. This may seem wierd but it works!
Yes, it does sound weird – but thanks for the tip! If I have that problem in the future, I’ll be sure to try it. 🙂
Hi Jonni!
I am planning a alebrije project for my 5th graders. I have practiced many ways of creating the armature but can’t settle on what would be easiest for this age group. Im curious if there is a clay type you recommend that can be hand maniuplates to a degree. I think my students would feel more comfortable using their hands to smooth their clay. Can that be done with the PM clay?
Hi Kelli. I don’t recommend using your hands to apply paper mache clay – it’s sticky so it will stick to the armature, but that also means it will stick to your students’ hands. I really don’t think they’ll like it, but you could do a small experiment at home to see if you disagree with me. It does not feel at all like ‘real’ clay. I like making my armatures with lightly crumpled foil, with light cardboard for ears and wings. The foil can be smoothed by running the edge of a pencil over it to knock down the points. You might want to look at one of my older video series, about making a blue hippo. It will show you how I use paper mache clay over foil, and it could give you some ideas for your class.
I should also mention that if the dried paper mache isn’t smooth enough, you can add a paper-thin layer of pre-mixed drywall joint compound, and let it dry. Then smooth it off with a lightly damp cloth or paper towel. Don’t try sanding it though – it will fill your room with very fine dust that you really don’t want in your lungs.
Hi Jonni, do you have a more detailed measurement of the Elephant Headdress Mask? Like what is the distance from the eye centre to eye centre across the face?
Thanks very much for any info you can send me 🙂
Love your incredible creations!!
Deb
He Deb. That measurement is about 6.75″. Is there some other specific information you’re looking for?
I made a mask following some of your tutorials. It’s a Popeye mask , cartoon version . The sparkle I used was dap because I’m in Canada and don’t have access to the one you used. It wasn’t as smooth and the sides cracked when putting the mask on and off lol
Will try to see if I can find your brand .
Here is the link to the pics
https://www.instagram.com/p/DK8rQTpN40T/?igsh=ZDBjczV4cHV5aDMz
He looks great. You might want to try the new recipe that doesn’t use Elmer’s glue. And try using drywall joint compound instead of spackle. If you use the no-glue recipe, you can use any brand of joint compound. You can find that recipe here: https://www.ultimatepapermache.com/my-favorite-paper-mache-clay-recipe
Amazing thank you so much, Will try that with Olive Oyl next 🙂
I think the color selection of a few colors from DIY store in Latex is a great idea. Would love to see the video.
Do you mean the video on this page: https://www.ultimatepapermache.com/mix-fur-colors-with-latex-paint
Hi Jonni! I have learned so much from you and love all the excellant info you so freely give- I made the wolf mask with a student and they came out great. I will post a photo. I make large backpack paper mache parade puppets for the North River Arts festival in Marshfield MA. I’m wondering- have you ever blown up one of your patterns to be huge? I would love to make one for this years festival. I have used the Bread and Puppet method and its great -but would love to try something more realistic.
Thanks for all you do!
Hi Sally. I’m glad you’re having a good experience with the patterns. 🙂
I’ve never made a super-huge sculpture from one of the patterns, but it can be done. I think you might want to use corrugated cardboard in place of the cereal box cardboard, to make sure the larger pieces are stiff enough to hold their shape. However, one of our readers made a baby elephant head quite large, and she used EVA foam. She didn’t send in an update, so we didn’t get to see how it turned out when it was all finished. I do have a video about how to make the patterns large, if that would help. You can see it here: https://www.ultimatepapermache.com/changing-the-pattern-size
I’d love to see a “backpack puppet”!
I want to make some small porcelain vases, and wonder do I need to make a template, or can I just roll out a piece and shape it into a vase. I know it will not be waterproof, that’s Ok.
Pat
Hi Pat,
If you’re thinking about making a vase with the paper mache clay recipe, it needs to be used in a thin layer over an armature, just like paper strips and paste. You can make an armature with a plastic bag filled with sand or rice, shape it with masking tape, and then cover it with a thin layer of paper mache clay. After the PM clay dries all the way through, you can pour out the sand and remove the bag, leaving your vase empty inside.
Hi Jonni, Happy New Year
I’ve just watched your video regarding the Halloween Goblins. I can picture them now running around the garden and stealing veg. As for your request for ideas on how to stop them falling over, in the wind etc. Especially when running or hopping on one leg.
Having spent many years camping and pegging down tents. To stop them blowing away on exceptionally windy days and nights. Here’s my suggestion tent pegs. They used to be made of wood, but now they are metal. Any shop that sells camping gear are sure to have a collection. Then get youself a mallet or hammer and job done.
There are larger, longer types, that look like giant corkscrews. With this type you actually screw them into the ground. They are intended to be used by people who tether their dogs outside their tents. Because they can’t be pulled out of the ground. They have to be unscrewed. We use them to anchour our gazebo’s.
I hope these suggestions help
Mike
That’s a great idea, Mike! Would the sculptures be connected to the tent spikes with thin wires?
Hi Jonni
I was glad to see your swift and positive response. I guess you could use any wire, however, the thinner the wire the quicker the rust could set in.
I have some up and coming ideas for garden sculptures myself. But I was leaning towards including the carving of some of my living garden trees. I’m an all round artist and although I’ve made many sculptures before. I have been thinking about this project for some time. And if it happens it would be a first for me. My work tends to lean towards the macabre. But like the guy Dan Reeder you were talking about in your video. I’m also thinking of using wire coat hangers as by way of armature. For some of the creatures that are not carved tree’s. And to keep them standing up and/or climbing the tree’s.
You could bend and shape the coat hangers to go over the goblins foot/feet to keep them erect. The ones I’ve been looking at come in many different powder coated and or polyurethane coated colours. These are readily available on eBay. Although I guess you could probably use non-painted ones and paint them yourself, with an outdoor acrylic paint.
They often tend to give coat hangers away with garments you buy. You might have a few in your wardrobe? Sadly all ours are plastic. Perhaps they might start using the wire ones again. What with all this business about plastics choking sea creatures. But I don’t think I can wait that long.
Mike
Dear Jonni,
Reading your “make animal sculptures. I make your clay but it’s too sticky. In pages 18-19 you say next time to NOT use flour to cure the “too sticky” clay. I thought you’d add flour/starch to reduce stickiness. ?????
Thanks for inspirational work!??
Yes, you would add more flour to reduce the stickiness. That was really bad editing, and I’m really surprised that you’re the very first person to mention it! You can add more flour, or even corn starch, to make it less sticky. 🙂
Thank you….talk about “bad editing”, reread my comment!? Back to the mixing bowl.
Thank you….talk about “bad editing”, reread my comment!? Back to the mixing bowl.
I am really interested in using non-toxic sustainable materials in all my work when possible. Has anyone tried using natural clay rather than joint compound in the paper mache clay recipes? Would be interested in your trials and tribulations. Thanks!
Diane, I haven’t even thought of trying that – but if you try it, I would love to know how it turns out! 🙂
It is so hard to get help with a problem. I just bought the elephant mask and can’t seem to get it to download. Try to email but it keeps coming back.?
Hi John. I haven’t received your email. Are you getting an error message when you try to download? Are you trying to save the file to an iPhone or iPad, by any chance? If you are, this article on the Apple website might help: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205751
I’ll try sending this comment to you by email, to make sure you receive it.
I just found your emails – they did get to my inbox, but I just hadn’t seen them yet. I’ll respond to one now.
Hi Jonni,
My name is Aislinn from Australia. Could I please have the pattern for your gnome with tin foil. I love it. You are so clever!Thanking you
Cheers Aislinn
Hi Aislinn. The pattern for the gnome can be found on this page: https://www.ultimatepapermache.com/gnome
Just scroll down to the link that says “click this link and download the PDD…”
Have fun! 🙂
I sadly can’t get access to download the tutorial. Not sure what happened.
Which tutorial are you trying to access?