Made by Sally Holden
Technically, this is supposed to be Alfred The Great (but it could be any medieval king, I guess!) I made it for a friend, who teaches history at primary level and who loves to have visual stuff for her classes.
It’s a mixed media piece, but mostly Titebond III brown paper mache for strength (this is probably going to get rough treatment) and Jonni’s excellent New Paper Mache Clay, which is fab – I love this stuff!
I learned to knit to make the chain mail in twine (which I think turned out OK, considering my distinct lack of skill with the needles). It was soaked in wood glue, shaped, painted with more wood glue and silver spray paint.
Over all, I’m quite pleased with it, but the finishing could probably be better – just as well he’s a warrior king, so wouldn’t have had a flawless complexion!
It’s a great sculpture, Sally, and I’m really impressed by your chain mail idea. It really turned out nice, and I know your friend’s students will really enjoy seeing him in their classroom. Thanks for showing him to us! 🙂