Papier-Mâché

“Papier-mâché is the art of modelling with torn or shredded paper bound together with glue, usually a waterbased type. The techniques are quickly mastered and offer endless variation. Almost any object can be used as a mould for papier-mâché, although round objects are easier to cover smoothly if the mould is to be removed later. Bowls and large dishes are excellent. Wire mesh shapes can be moulded to produce any number of interesting shapes, and structures made from cardboard, known as armatures, can also be covered.

“You can use papier-mâché pulp to make bowls or to build up sculpted images. Just push it into shape with your hands or a stiff paintbrush. Drying may take several days.

“To make your own paper pulp. tear five sheets of newspaper in to 2.5 cm (1 in) squares and place in a saucepan. Cover with water and simmer for 30 minutes. Spoon the paper and water into a blender and process to a pulp. Transfer the pulp to a lidded plastic box and store add 2/2 tablespoons PVA (white) glue and 1 tablespoon each wallpaper paste, plaster of Paris and linseed oil and stir vigorously.

Tear Paper Strips – Don’t Cut

“Tearing rather than cutting newspaper creates less obvious joins between strips.

“Newspaper has a grain and will tear much more easily in one direction than TEARING NEWSPAPER the other. Generally, the grain runs from the top to the bottom of the newspaper. If you try to tear against the grain, it becomes impossible to control.

PREPARING A MOULD

“Before applying papier-mâché toa mould, the surface must be lightly greased with petroleum jelly to create a barrier between the glue and the mould, preventing the papier-mâché from sticking to it. It will then be easy to remove the papier-mâché when it has dried. Cling film (plastic wrap) can sometimes be used instead.

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