Making Paper Mache
Turn Your Trash to Treasure

Making paper mache is all about turning your trash to treasure. There are two methods of working with paper mache, the layered, or laminated method and the pulp method.

Layered Paper Mache

This technique involves building up layers of paper, one on top of the other, until your piece is as strong as you want it to be.

Depending on the size of the piece you're working on, you will need to tear your paper into either strips or squares.

It's always better to tear the paper. If you cut it you end up with a harsh edge which is harder to smooth down later.

Torn paper is also stronger as the fibres tear at slightly different lengths, giving a better overlap. It's important to overlap your paper a little as this will add strength.

Alternate the direction too. If you lay the paper up and down on your first layer, lay it across on the second layer.

The strength is always in the paper and alternating the layers will have the grain running both ways in your piece.

Sticking the paper is always fun. I like to use white (pva) glue which dries quickly, is strong and resists moisture to a degree.

You can also use wallpaper paste which usually has a mould retarder in it. Then there's the good old flour and water paste. I've even been known to use up leftover emulsion paint to stick my layers together.

The glue you use is entirely up to you so have a look at our paste recipes and choose one which works best for you.

Pulp

Pulp is basically mushed up paper with a glue or paste added to make it stick when it's dry. There are other additives that can be used depending on the effect you want and the strength you need for your work.

Pulp is lovely to work with, especially if you like getting your hands dirty. It has a super squishy texture and and can be moulded like clay. Pulp works really well for fine detail but must be used in thin layers and allowed to dry well.

Making it is fun too. Check out our paper mache recipes section for how to make different types of pulp. Paper Mache Baboon Gawie, our bongo playing baboon, was made out of an old lemonade bottle, some coat hanger wire and some scrunched up newspaper.

His basic shape was made using the layered paper method. Then, when that was fully dry, he was covered in pulp to mould his features and to give him texture and strength.

The more time you spend making paper mache, the more creative you'll get and the more of your junk you will be able to use in your art.

Return to Creative Paper Mache from Making Paper Mache

New! Comments

©2010 Creative Paper Mache

SBI!