PAPER MACHE
Sculpture creation of paper mache
From the very beginning, I would like to highlight that there are many methods of creating sculptures of paper mache. I am providing you with my proven method, which I successfully use in each of my sculptures.
There are many ways to get paper mache. However, I use two kinds. I buy pure paper mache powder, which I then mix with water and with this I create my sculpting paste, or I buy a ready-to-use version of paper mache, which is like clay ready to use.
Why don’t I use newspapers? Because they contain a lot of toxic dyes and I want to use clean products, without toxic substances.
Paper mache is a very graceful material, because if you make a mistake, you can remove it, cut it off and make it again. Besides, if the mass has already dried you can sand your sculpture, nail other materials to it. Simply speaking, paper mache gives you a lot of opportunities.
How to create a sculpture of paper mache?
- I have an idea of what I want to sculpt, which I translate into a very simple sketch. I gather the materials I will need to represent my design, such as horse anatomy, to make the correct proportions.
- I need a wooden base so that I can mount a sculpture structure there.
- I drill holes in the base and mount a wire there. It will be the structure of my sculpture. I give a shape to the wire. It depends on what I want to create.
- Then I use some net for hen’s coop to make a 3D “body”. I fix the net with a this aluminum wire so that it doesn’t move.
- The next step is to put a plaster bandage on my structure. It needs to be soaked into water beforehand. After drying the bandage will make the structure harder. If I don’t have any bandage, I use some paper tape. I wrap it around my structure very tightly.
- When my structure is ready I start putting paper mache layer by layer. It is important not to put more than 1 cm at once, because it will crack during drying. At this stage you are limited only by your imagination, for finishing besides paper mache you can use textiles, metal, wood, joining them with wood glue or nailing or screwing. Wood glue additionally makes a sculpture harder and long-lasting.
- After finishing, a sculpture needs some time to dry. Around 1 week is enough to get all the layers dry. Drying time depends on the size of a sculpture and a number of layer used. If needed, you can sand your sculpture after drying.
- The finished sculpture needs to be painted, paper mache is not very attractive in the raw version, but when painted it is extremely beautiful. I use acrylic or water-based oil paints and leave it to dry.
- I photograph and put up for sale the finished sculpture.
The process of sculpting is very revealing and creative. This is a dialogue between a sculptor and material they use.
It is very important to me that each step is done with heart, accuracy and without any haste. Sculpting in revealing your inner side. Each sculpture is a specific message, telling a story or revealing dreams.
Sculpting is like a deep conversation, you need to listen to your interlocutor, be a watchful observer and let yourself be guided to bring value to this conversation.