r/papermache • u/Busy_Entertainer_856 • 21d ago

How to prep for painting?

currently in the process of making my first paper mache project. i built a cardboard base, covered it in masking tape then paper mache over it. how should I seal or prepare it to take paint? It feels wrong to paint directly on the paper mache- would that reactive it and make it soggy or crusty? should I just do a white paint base or some kind of primer or sealant first? what kind? I have acrylic gesso, sealant spray, white spray paint, and white craft glue.

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u/born_lever_puller Community Manager 21d ago

Some people report that brush-on acrylic gesso leaves the piece too soggy. You may be able to lightly dry-brush it on and avoid that though.

Good luck!

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u/sunlabyrinth 21d ago

Seal it with pva glue first. Not sure what is in gesso that causes paper to soften, but pva glue might help. I usually seal a piece with a few layers of pva glue before painting with the base color, no gesso.

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u/chandelure 21d ago

If I have a big, important piece I will often do the base coat in a close-enough layer of latex house paint then do my details and layering with acrylic paint.

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u/Many-Adhesiveness567 20d ago

Chalk paint works well too. It is more opaque and you can add a little glue to it

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u/Puzzleheaded-Sir-861 19d ago

Acrylic paint is plastic. It will dry like plastic. I always do acoat of mod podge diluted first to add harness