papier mache big sculpture
Paper Mache Clay
I recently developed a new recipe for a sculptural material I call “paper mache clay.” This material is so easy to use and so easy to make that I now use it exclusively for all my paper mache sculptures.
It might be a bit more accurate to call this material “home-made air-dried cellulose-reinforced polymer clay,” but that’s way too hard to say (or type!), so for now, let’s just call it paper mache clay.
The first video below shows how to make the paper mache clay, and the second video answers some common questions that I’ve received from readers since I first developed this recipe. Below the videos you’ll find the recipe written out, and a few comments about how it’s used. (This recipe is the basis for my book “Make Animal Sculptures with Paper Mache Clay.”)
I usually make mine fairly thin, so it can be spread over an armature like frosting – but you can also vary the consistency, and make it thicker, like this, when you want more control over the modeling process. A very thin layer, about 1/8 to 1/4 inch is extremely strong, and it replaces the many layers of traditional paper strips and paste.
The clay dries extremely hard when applied in a very thin layer (1/8 to 1/4″ thick) and the clay dries much faster than traditional paper mache pulp. (And it only takes about 5 minutes to make).
Paper Mache Clay on Snow Leopard SculptureAs you can see above, the clay can be modeled into fairly fine details. Using the clay for modeling feels much more intuitive than creating sculptures with paper strips and paste, and once the clay is dry it is a pleasure to paint.
The ingredients are inexpensive, and can be found at your local grocery store and hardware store. You will need:
- Cheap toilet paper (measure the wet paper pulp, and use 1.24 cups – some rolls contain more paper than needed)
- 1 cup Joint compound from the hardware store (get “regular,” not “fast set” or “light”.)
- 3/4 cup Elmer’s Glue-all
- 1/2 cup White Flour
- 2 tablespoons Linseed Oil
See the video below for details on making your clay. And if you try this recipe, please let us all know what you think of it–and also please share a photo of your finished work. We’d love to see how it comes out. (Can’t see the video? See the instructions printed below).
[Edit 2/12/2011 – At least one manufacturer (Dap brand) of joint compound has changed their formula, and this brand no longer works for paper mache clay. If you find that your clay seems “rubbery” instead of smooth and creamy, you may need to use a different brand of joint compound. Any other brand will work. ]
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Recipe for Paper-mache
Materials Needed:
- Newspapers,
- Flour,
- Water,
- Mixing bowl,
- Tempera paint,
- Materials for form: such as balloons, grocery bags filled with crumpled papers.
Directions:
- Tear long newspaper strips about one to two inches wide.
- Use your form such as the balloon.
- Blow up the balloon or put crumbled newspaper in a brown bag and shape the bag.
- When you choose your shape, remember you will have to remove your form when the project is complete so cover your form with plastic beforehand (a plastic grocery bag). If you are using a balloon, you can just pop the balloon.
- In a mixing bowl, combine water and flour until you have a paste that’s thin enough to coat the paper strips.
Experiment first with some small quantities first. If the mixture is too thin, the paper will turn into a soggy mush. - Dip the paper into the paste and use your index finger and middle finger to act like a squeegee to run down the strip of paper.
- Place the strip on your form, crisscrossing to make overlapping layers.
- When you are done, place in a warm, dry area to dry.
Once the design is completely dry
- remove form by cutting a slit in the bottom of the form and pulling out form, or pop the balloon.
- Decorate with tempera paint.
Again, this is one project that your imagination can go wild. It’s quite messy, but the results are worth it.
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