This is a reader-supported site. When you buy through links on this site, I may earn an affiliate commission. Thanks for your support! 🙂
It’s time to take another look at the giant paper mache dragon I made eleven years ago.
(I can’t believe it’s been that long!)
In this video, I share my honest thoughts on what went right – and what I would do differently if I made something like this again. Are you thinking about making a sculpture with paper mache that’s bigger than you are? Be sure to watch this video first – I’ve learned some valuable lessons after all this time. 🙂
Links mentioned in the video:
- See all of the original posts for the giant dragon:
- My Book, Make Animal Sculptures with Paper Mache Clay
- Dragon head wall sculpture pattern
- Dragon mask pattern
- How to use paper mache over wet clay
- How to make flat internal patterns for animal sculptures
- You can see all my latest mask and sculpture patterns here
If you can think of anything else I should have differently when I made this huge paper mache dragon, please let us know in the comments below. 🙂



This is the most beautiful dragon I have ever seen.
Thanks! 🙂
Hi Joni – I am reaching out for some help. I posted one of my lights a while back. I have just made a huge light for my daughter. It’s 80 cm circumference- and I made it thin as I wanted a floaty feeling. But as it has been hung its shape has twisted and distorted. I have bodged a solution by stringing fishing wire across the diameter – but will ultimately have to remake it. Do you think if I simply made it thicker it would maintain its form – or should I add a strengthening band – or a chicken wire mesh? Not one to give up on an idea!!
Would really appreciate any advice.
Many thanks
Bindy
Hi Bindy. Is it possible that the paper mache clay wasn’t quite dry before it was hung? If it was dry the shapes shouldn’t change at all. It can feel dry on the outside and still be slightly damp on the inside – do you think that might have been the problem?