This is a reader-supported site. When you buy through links on this site, I may earn an affiliate commission. Thanks for your support! 🙂
African Animals Pattern Set.
Save $10 when you buy this three-pattern set. Use the patterns to create memorable gifts, or to bring a little bit of Africa to your own home
This video is part of a series showing the projects in my new book Make Animal Sculptures With Paper Mache Clay. (The video was made before the book came out – it is now available on Amazon.com)
In this episode I show you how the emperor penguin family is made, using patterns, some Styrofoam cubes and a hot glue gun to attach the legs, and paper mache clay.
I suppose you’ve already noticed that I did some Spring cleaning on my blog. With all these new videos, it seemed like a good time to fix things that were broken with the latest WordPress update, and to give the old girl a new design. If you find anything that still needs to be fixed, please let me know.
Now, about these videos. As soon as the first series is done and you’ve seen all the projects that will be in my upcoming book (Jessie says we can expect the book to be available in May), I’ll start some short how-to videos. I can’t do an entire project — I don’t know how to make the tape run really, really fast the way Dan Reeder does it — but I can show you the individual steps and techniques that I use to make my paper mache clay sculptures. Things like applying the clay to the forms, making the forms, etc. If there’s any specific thing you’d like to know about, please tell me in the comments below. I’ll compile a list, and I’ll try to get to as many suggestions as I can.
ola ,
voce pode fazer um porco cofre esplicamdo em algum video
Hello,
i happened to notice, in the video, two gorgeous big cats at the top. Are there any instructions on how to make these, or any clearer pictures? Also, I love the tortoise!
Emilia x
Hi Emilia. I don’t have any cat tutorials. You can see the snow leopard here, and the bobcat here. I also have a page showing other sculptures I’ve done in the past few years.
thank you very much thats just what i was looking for!
Not sure how to make the templet for the penguin project 15 1/2 inches tall?
where can you find the lastest Emperor Penguins at ?
The instructions for the penguins is in my book. Is that what you were asking?
Hi Jonni,
My daughter and I love the Emperor Penquin so much….we want to make it this weekend….could you tell me where we can find information on making it. We printed off your recipe for the paper mache clay but we needed to know how to make the rest. Great work….what a talent the Lord has blessed you with.
Hi Shari. The emperor penguin family, including the patterns and all instructions, are in my book, which is available on Amazon.com. Since there are so many photos and detailed instructions, I’m not able to post them on the blog, but I think you’ll enjoy all the projects in the book.
Ok we will go get it today….can I get it at Barnes and Noble too?
You can order it from their website, but they probably don’t carry it in their stores. However, your local store might be able to order one for you.
I would like to buy the book that has Emperor Penguin #3 . We are building a float and need about 15 penguins. Do you have different size penguin paterns?
We need it yesterday,
Thanks, Jody
Hi Jody. My paper mache book is available on Amazon.com, and they offer express shipping. There are two patterns, one for the adults, and one for the baby. Since the patterns are based on a grid system, you make them any size you like. A real adult Emperor Penguin is almost 4 feet tall, which would be rather impressive as a sculpture. But you can make them smaller if you want.
Hi Jonni,
My name is Niki and I am in 6th grade. I want to make a penguin paper mache for my book project. Is this Penguin hard to make or is it sort-of an easy sculpture to make and about how long would it take to make it.
Thank you ,
Niki H.
Hi Niki. The penguin family is the third project in my new book, which will be out soon. I started with the easiest project, and worked up, so the penguins are semi-advanced – but I’m sure you could do it if you took your time. The book should be available in about two weeks.
I’m definitely going to try using patterns when I don my next sculpture! Just out of curiosity, how do you decide which anmal to make? I have such a hard time making my mind up I end up trying to do 2 or 3 at once!
Jo
You’re probably a lot more productive than I am, since I seem to get stuck doing just one project at a time – while you could finish three in the same time. I’ve noticed that some people who make a living at their paper mache animal sculptures, or any kind of animal art, tend to concentrate on just one species, or even one breed within the species. But I tend to just do whatever seems interesting at the moment. A herd of horses is coming, I hope – although I have not yet started them.
Let us know how using a pattern works out for you.
I like the new look, and the cute icons. 🙂
Penguins are 4 FEET tall? Wow. I didn’t think they were that big! It sounds like learning about the critters is at least half the fun for you! I know what you mean about feeling like you kind of know the animals when you’re done. I always feel that way when I’m done with a portrait, too. Can make it hard to part with my new friend!
I like the piggy. I look forward to seeing that video!
Thanks, Xan. Yes, these birds are big. The piggy video will be up in just a few minutes – my free trial of Sony Vegas Studio is up tomorrow, so I’d better work faster, or dig out my wallet…