This is just a quick announcement: My book, Make Animal Sculptures with Paper Mache Clay, now has a Kindle version. I think it looks best on the free Kindle for PC ap because the photos are nice and big, and they’re in color.
Now that I’m finished with that little project, I can go back to working on my latest book about paper mache masks. It’s coming along really well. I am particularly fond of the unicorn. And the Texas bandit. And the three Venetian masks (five, if you count the cat and the owl). And the Neanderthal skull is pretty cool…
There will be 12 projects in the book if I can squeeze them all in, and ten of them are done already, almost. I haven’t painted any of them yet, so I still can’t show them to you.
The best part, in my opinion, is my new method for making masks with just two strong layers of paper mache. I’ll post more when I’m closer to the finish line. Wish me luck.
And one more thing – I updated the blog recently, and we now have our image upload function working again. If you have any sculptures you’d like to show off, it’s now easier to do. You’ll see the upload button below the comment field on every page.
That’s all for now. Have a great week, everyone.
I also LOVE your DOGS!!!!!!!! They are soooo amazing also!!!:)
Hey I love your tutorials and I’m on the second lesson of the paper mache cat and i love it i think its really easy because I’m only 10 yet its still easy + I LOVE your cats they are amazing!:)
I’m glad you’re having fun with it. And I hope you’ll show us your cat when it’s done.
I just purchased your book for the Kindle. I use the Kindle for PC. As of Nov, it can be viewed in color on the new Kindle Fire.
I work mostly in acrylic & mixed media with a desire to manipulate texture and often incorporate lightweight joint compound, pulp, and air dry clay into my bas relief paintings. I look forward to trying your recipe as I am always looking for better ways to strengthen my sculptures without limiting my creativity or jeopardizing my freedom to work at my own pace. Like you, I feel that less mess is best.
I would think it very possible, when using this recipe, that one could mist the sculpture with water then cover it with plastic wrap to extend the drying time for many hours (according to the size of the sculpture). I think this may work overnight or when working a large sculpture or when taking a break. I am thinking that I could also lightly sand the sculpture once completely dry and then brush over it with several thin layers of Plaster of Paris mixed with water and some acrylic polymer, then lightly sand again for an extra smooth surface. As you can see, you have inspired my creative muse and my brain is ticking. I look forward to playing with this recipe and seeing what I can come up with in some of my future paintings. Thank you so much for sharing your recipe and your wonderful talent. I will add a link to your site from mine under the Clay/Air Dry Clay category.
Explore! Experiment! Create!
CF Jernigan
Hi CF – welcome! I love the work you show on your site, and really appreciate the comments you made about selling on etsy.com. I know many people would love to give it a try.
You can do all the things you mentioned with the paper mache clay. It dries slow enough to give you plenty of working time, and plastic should keep it workable overnight. Be sure to let us see what you make with it. And, of course, thanks for the link. Links are good. 😉
This is my Christmas project. I made this vessel with balloons, jello cups and bad CD’s and cardboard. I used paper napkins for the design and I wanted to make it look Christmasy. I would like your opinion if I succeeded. This was my first attempt. I am now on my second attempt.
Christine, I had to delete your photo because it was way too big – it would spread all the way across the screen. Please make the image smaller (no more than 450 pixels wide) in your photo editing program and try again. We’d love to see it.
Hi Jonni,
Oops is all I can say. I did not realize how big the file was and my apologies. I realized my error when I went to check the comment box, so here is the correct size. I used decorative napkins to give this a sort of translucent feel to the piece. This will be a Christmas decoration at the family feast we have each year.
[img]http://ultimatepapermache.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Christmasvessel.jpg[/img]
Very nice!
Quite a few of my projects have been given as gifts and will be Christmas presents this year. The arts are strong in my family, but as of now, I am the only one doing paper mache.
This is completely off the subject but… I was wondering. Can anyone tell me what they do with their completed projects? I love paper mache and want t indulge in it however they take up so much space. Please someone tell me what does everyone do with them? Sell them? If so where? Just curios. Thanks, debbie
Interesting question. I know some people sell in galleries. Some of us give things away or just walk around the giant elephants in our living rooms. Chime in folks – I’d like to know, too!
Hi Debbie,
You may want to try selling on Etsy.com All products have to be either handmade, art & craft materials, or vintage items. You can visit and look under paper mache to see some examples and prices. I have a shop there and have sold but don’t expect to get rich 😉 You have to setup a PayPal account so that Etsy can direct the customer to PayPal and the $ goes directly into your account. It is a fairly simple process to get started and very very inexpensive. You can get some exposure, sell a little art, and have fun.
Wow! Your new book sounds like fun, Jonni! I’m dead curious to know what your latest technique evolution is.
Heh – we have to keep a little bit of mystery, for a few more weeks, anyway. I had hoped to be finished by Christmas, but I don’t think I’m going to make it. The big mask season is Lent, and I have no excuse to take anywhere near that long.