The Armature or Mould

These are the backbones of your project. So what's the difference?

Armature: A framework that provides structure and stability for the project and which remains an integral part of the finished work.

Mould or Mold: A form or shape around which you build your project which is removed once the piece has the strength to stand alone.

I've noticed the terms used interchangeably by some paper mache artists but on Creative Paper Mache we like to define them as above.

Building a piece round a permanent framework is a great way to recycle as whatever you use will be enclosed in your artwork forever.

Plastic bottles, tin cans and yoghurt pots are just some of the things we've used to build round.

One of my current favourite methods is to stuff old plastic shopping packets with newspaper, and use masking tape to create the shape.

I used this method to make our paper mache hippopotamus.

I did actually remove the packets from the hippo once he was dry, but I am reusing them for a project I'm currently working on.

The paper mache dog was also made using this method but his plastic bags were left inside him.

With more and more supermarkets switching to bags for life and other methods of packing groceries - and this is a good thing - I'm not sure how much longer I'll be making them like this. However, while I can, I'll be recycling these packets in my own way.

Bowls, vases and footballs are all things we've used as moulds that were later removed from the finished object.

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