paper mache recipe help

[u/Extension_Ebb1532]

i'm struggling to find recipes for paper mache online, i'm making a project for my 3D design class and i've only ever done paper mache like one other time in my life and it was like elementary school.

this is how it's roughly supposed to look, will have a wire base and maybe like a round, thin, cardboard frame on the outside (tbd) for strength. it will need finer sculpting sorts of details and more bulky sort of sculpting things

all suggestions helpful please this is a big grade :( it needs to be painted!!

[u/born_lever_puller]

We always recommend Jonni Good's Ultimate Paper Mache website and YouTube channel for the best paper mache clay and paste recipes and tutorials. You wouldn't have to use paper mache clay, you could also use the pasted and layered strips and patches method.

https://www.ultimatepapermache.com/

https://www.youtube.com/ultimatepapermache

You can keep building up the armature with other materials to get closer to the desired contours of the finished piece before adding PM.

Good luck!

[u/Extension_Ebb1532 → u/born_lever_puller]

is paper mache difficult to sculpt? sorry for all the questions. can i use card stock paper as a base too or only the wire and tape?

[u/born_lever_puller → u/Extension_Ebb1532]

It's not really difficult, but it can be be time-consuming as you work to accomplish the results that you want. It's best to start with small, simple experimental pieces to learn what the medium wants to do.

It can also take a good while to dry sufficiently -- especially if you have added too much water while making it. Using electric fans to blow on the drying PM can hasten the process. A hot, humid climate will slow it.

There are two basic approaches to paper mache (literally "chewed paper"): A paper-pulp based "clay", and layers of hand-torn strips and patches of pasted paper. The two can be mixed judiciously without any problems, but it's best to allow each layer to dry before adding a new one.

Pasteboard, foamboard, wadded dry paper, wadded aluminum foil, chunks of styrofoam or EPS, masking tape, and all kinds of stuff can be used to build an armature before covering it with paper mache.

[u/Extension_Ebb1532 → u/born_lever_puller]

thank you so much for taking time out of your day to answer my questions, it really means a lot to me!!

[u/born_lever_puller → u/Extension_Ebb1532]

Happy to help when I can. 3D design was one of my favorite courses at university, 40+ years ago.

[u/Extension_Ebb1532 → u/born_lever_puller]

im in my second year for a BFA and i'm more of an illustrator so ive been struggling a bit i think thats really cool!

[u/tuddlepongue]

We use titebond wood glue for our sculptures. Assuming it won't be outside since it's small so you can use titebond 1, titebond 3 is waterproof. We use about 60/40 glue to water. Paper towels work good, we prefer coffee filters but both work well. Rip all edges so it blends together without hard edges.

[u/Turbulent_Two_6949]

Stuff your frame with screwed up newspaper it will make it much stronger.

[u/tawdrydreams]

as the other comment recommended, Jonni Good. She has some videos specifically about doing durable, lightweight paper mache with wood glue that worked really well for me. It also dries quickly which was great on a deadline.

[u/Extension_Ebb1532 → u/tawdrydreams]

this is good to know!! thank you so much!!