Downloadable Patterns for
Paper Mache Sculptures and Masks
The easy way to create beautiful handcrafted works of art.
this Week’s Customer Favorites:
The patterns are ingenious and I found the videos easy to follow. My youngest decided he wanted to be a dragon too! So I ended up making another for him.
Jacqui S.
Lion King Jr. Headdress Patterns:
I built EIGHT headdresses for our community theater’s production of Lion King Jr. – What an experience! I enjoyed every step of the process and learned so much! The kids loved them. I will be downloading more of your patterns for my own projects – they are amazing. The instructions and video tips are excellent, too! I can’t wait to attempt another creation!
Jenny W.
Popular Pattern Collections
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Patterns for Paper Mache Sculptures
Standing Baby Indian Elephant Pattern >>
The standing baby elephant the only pattern on this page that doesn’t make all the shapes for you. Click this link and watch the video to see how she’s made.
Mask Patterns
How to use these downloadable (PDF) patterns:
Print the pattern pieces, attach them to cardboard, and cut them out.
Tape the pieces together.
Add paper strips and paste, or a layer of paper mache clay – check the ‘recipes’ tab above.
Bring your new mask or sculpture to life with paint and your own imagination.
About the mask and sculpture patterns…
These downloadable patterns are designed for adults (thirteen or older) to make. They’re made carefully by paper mache sculptor Jonni Good, to help you create sculptures or masks you can be proud of. This is not the paper mache you remember from grade school!
Because they’re designed for adults to make, young kids probably won’t have enough patience to cut out the pattern pieces and tape them together. Some of the patterns also require sharp knives for cutting cardboard.
However, many children have helped their parents and grandparents create sculptures and masks using these patterns. The kids and adults have a lot of fun, and they’re excited when they see how well their sculptures turn out. Plus, creating art together is a wonderful bonding experience that will be remembered for years.
How do the patterns work?
Most of these armature patterns create all the basic shapes for you. Just cut them out of card stock or cardboard as indicated in the instructions, tape the pieces together, and cover them with just one layer of paper mache or paper mache clay.
Then add your own creative touches and a coat of acrylic paint, and you’ll have a one-of-a-kind mask or sculpture that could be treasured for years.
There is one exception – the standing baby elephant pattern goes on the inside of your sculpture, and you add all of the rounded forms with crumpled paper or foil. That baby is big, and it takes patience to make it, but if you visit the elephant’s page and scroll down, you can see some of the sculptures people have made with the pattern.
All of the other patterns work the way I showed you above – when you tape the pattern pieces together, all the shapes are created for you. You can add additional details, like foam eyes with crumpled foil rims, and any special details you like.
Do you have to use paper mache to create sculptures and masks with these patterns?
All forms of paper mache and paper mache clay work well for these sculptures. That’s how I made the finished sculptures that you can see when you click on one of the pattern images above.
However, a lot of people have covered the wolf and lion masks with fake fur. Some people have turned the baby elephant wall sculpture into an oversized theater mask made with foam. And one of our younger artists was in a real hurry to complete a school project, so he used spray paint directly over the cardboard on his wolf mask. (It came quite nice).
So use whatever material your own creative genius comes up with, and then come back and show it off so we can see how it comes out. ?
Do you have a question or need help with your pattern?
If you have a question about putting your pattern together or painting it, leave a comment below or on the Daily Sculptors page. I read all comments and answer them as soon as I can, usually within a few hours. Some of my readers might ideas for you, too — we have a very supportive community on this site so don’t be shy about leaving a public comment. Or send me an email – that works, too. 🙂
Have fun!
