This easy pattern for a paper mache panda has been used by hundreds of people of all ages.
If you’ve never used a pattern to create a sculpture before, this is a good one to start with. After you cut out your pattern on cardboard, you fill out the rounded shapes with crumpled paper and masking tape. Then add a few layers of paper strips and paste, and paint.
The 10-page PDF has the printable pattern and complete instructions for putting your baby panda together.
Note: Although this panda would be cute in a baby’s room, the acrylic paint and the joint compound on his fur are not edible. Use child-safe art supplies if you want to put the sculpture in a baby’s room, or just put it up on a high shelf until your baby stops teething.
How to make your baby panda:
The video has all the steps needed to put your baby panda together and cover him with paper mache. You’ll also see photos of each step in the downloadable pattern.
I made this panda a long time ago (2009!) so I probably wouldn’t make it the same way again. For one thing, I’d use paper mache clay instead of paper strips and paste (click on the recipes tab at the top of the site for more options). But paper strips and paste do work, and I still think he’s adorable. 🙂
To make this paper mache sculpture you will need:
- A printer (or copy the pattern by hand
- Scissors
- Recycled newspaper
- Masking tape
- Flour and water paste
- A small amount of drywall joint compound (optional – I used it to get a light texture for the fur, but your panda will look just fine without it.)
- Acrylic paint
- Matte acrylic varnish
- A small rubber ball or stuffed animal, for the baby panda to hold (totally optional – I just thought it would be a fun detail. 🙂 )
For another easy panda project, check out the Baby Panda wall sculpture here.
And remember to take a look at my pattern collection – you’ll find lots of animal masks and sculpture patterns that create all the shapes for you – no need to add crumpled paper and masking paper, like you do for the baby panda. You just print the patterns, tape them together, and then add paper mache and paste. You can see all the patterns here.
If you’d like to learn how to make your own patterns, like the one for the panda on this page, read my book Make Animal Sculptures with Paper Mache Clay. It’s a full course on how to sculpt animals. You start with a really easy chicken, then learn to make a clownfish, a family of penguins, a kune kune pig, a dachshund, an elephant, and a horse.
When you finish the projects in the book, you’ll be able to sculpt any animal, beginning with a photo or sketch. Over 458 reviews on Amazon.com.
Hi!
I love your panda! Is this easy enough to work with students who are in 6th grade?
Hi Bethany. 6th graders should be able to do this, but you might want to cut out the pattern pieces in cardboard before the class, or use cereal box cardboard that can be cut with scissors. They’ll be able to give the panda any posture they want, so it will be fun to see what the kids do with them. 🙂
Thanks for the quick response! Sounds awesome. I am going to try this next week with my students. Do you have any other animals that might be of the same complexity?
You might also want to consider the chicken and the folk-art bunny. Have fun! 🙂
My first demon paper mache mask
Hi Vladimir. Did you try to upload a photo with your comment? If you did, it didn’t work. Images need to be edited to make the file size smaller than 250 kb. I do hope you’ll edit the photo and try again. We’d love to see your mask.
Finished my panda! This was a fun project.
Rylan, did you try to upload a photo of your panda? If you did, the image file was too large so it didn’t work. I do hope you’ll show us how it came out – we’d love to see it. 🙂
Combien de temps ? Pour faire le panda
You should be able to finish it in three days or less. It depends on how long the paper mache takes to dry.
How do I get the pattern? I have paid thinking I was going to get an email with the pattern!
Hi Terry. The system is supposed to send an email right away with the download link. I’ll send a private message to the email address you used for this comment, so we can make sure you get your pattern.
Your art is really cool and i like the creativity. Its not everyday you see a paper mache sculpture of some sort.
I’m doing this for a project and I’m a beginner at all types of art. I find that building the body is extremely hard!
But worth the effort, I hope. 🙂
This post has been so useful. I work in a nursery and we have an international day coming up. This panda is very good for display. Thank u so much for this guide.
You’re welcome. I hope you’ll come back and show your panda to us. We’d love to see it.