Jonni’s Sculptures
The images below show you some of my recent paper mache and paper mache clay sculptures. Please contact me if you have any questions about these sculptures.
To see a larger image, click on any of the images below.
Calico Angel-Cat
Striped Angel-Cat
Pair of Jackrabbits
Bobcat
Ghost Cat (Snow Leopard)
Lion Cub I - Sitting
Lion Cub II - Stalking
Lion Cub III - Sleeping
Two Lion Cubs Playing
- My favorite online bookstore.
{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
Your items are AWSOME!! I have to help my daughter create an endangered Black Footed Ferret, so we are thinking of going with paper mache… any tips on creating the body? Thanks!
Hi Michelle. I suggest making a cardboard pattern to start with. It should be made from a drawing of a ferret from the side. Legs should also be cut from cardboard. Then you can fill out the form with paper and masking tape, and apply the skin of paper mache strips and paste, or paper mache clay. I don’t have a ferret on this site, but to see how the patterns work check out the panda and echidna tutorials. And please let us see daughter’s black-footed ferret when it’s done!
I live in Indiana. I do not understand your measurements. They do not seem to be standard inch/foot. Why 43? how can I TRANSLATE? Hubert
Huh?
Hi i have 2 pet hamsters and i thought i would try and do a papier mache one (there dwarf) do you have any idea’s wich could help me love the animals by the way!
Hi Emily. You can use the instructions for making the lop-eared rabbit (with a different shape and ears, of course). Also check out our paper mache tutorials page.
Your work is amazing. You are extremely talented! Have you ever created a Shih-tzu? I would love to create one in the likeness of our Minnie Mae (or at least give it a try!)
Hi Teresa. I haven’t tried a Shih-tzu, but I do hope to some day. My father’s wife has one, and she’s delightful.
Hi again but wount it be a bit chubby but then again i could change that myself we were woundering how u make a these sculptures because i tryed the bunny and it went wrong may be we could try the piggy bank and see how that goes??? (was it easy:the piggy bank?)
cya from beckie and emily
What a darling horse. Is it a miniature?
The tutorials on this site do tend to be a bit advanced, but the piggy bank is one of the easier ones. My advice is to just keep making more sculptures until you feel you’re acquiring some skill in the medium. Artists don’t create masterpieces the first time they make a sculpture, you know. It takes practice. So give the piggy bank a try, and see what happens.
Thankyou for posting all of these tutorials. Which one would you say was the easiest and best for starters?
That’s a hard question, Maggie. I think that the butterflies and the bluebirds are probably the easiest for people just getting started. The bluebirds are shown in two different ways, one with traditional paper strips and paste, and one with paper mache clay. But really, the “easiest” one is the one you would most like to have when it’s finished.
Do you think it will work for larger objects like people? I have the armitures ready and was going to use the papermache-yet dreaded that it could attract bugs or not take to paint as well. I love the idea-one more thing-how heavy does it get?
Yes, Gretchen – it should work fine for full-sized figures. I used it on the life-sized snow leopard without a problem. It doesn’t seem to be any heavier than traditional paper strips and paste. It definitely takes paint well – I like to cover my sculptures with one coat of home-made gesso, using some of the ingredients in the clay – 1 tablespoon joint compound, 1 teaspoon Elmer’s Glue-All and a touch of white acrylic paint. This makes a very nice surface for paint, and it is easy to sand smooth, if that’s the look you’re after.
Hi Jonni,
Is the joint compound in your home-made gesso, a powder or a mud type? Thank you!
You want the mud that’s already mixed and sold in a plastic tub or bag. The powder might also work, if you mix it first, but I have not yet tried it. If you try it, please let us know how it turns out.
My favorite among your sculptures is your snow leopard – can you instruct us on how you made it? Lovely – also I am attempting my own using the new book from Ms. Monique Robert. Her method is a little complicated in that she uses only glue and water to hold her structures. Also there is the added stress of wondering how your sculpt will turn out as you need to cut off the individual pieces to make your inner structural casting. But her work is wonderful and I hope my leopard turns out.
Hi Joanne. I used Dan Reeder’s wire and crumpled paper armature technique to make the snow leopard. It isn’t hollow, like Monique’s sculptures, but I don’t mind the weight of it. Dan’s technique works with realistic animals as well as monsters, so I highly recommend his book.
Hello Jonni,
I love all of your animals, all of your work. I was going to make some paper mache sculptures myself but I was wondering about the life of the pieces- how do they hold up? do you have to varnish them in the end? I like the recycled aspect of this material- i am just questioning the end results sustainability. do you have any thoughts on this? thanks so much- keep up the beautiful work!
Hi Cassandra. Yes, I do suggest that you varnish your finished pieces, to protect your work from dampness in the air. To see how long they’ll last, do a quick search on eBay for “paper mache.” You’ll see dolls and other items that were made back in the 1800s. The techniques they used will vary, of course, depending on the item – but paper mache does hold up if it’s stored properly.
Have fun!
Have you finished the dragon yet? I would like to see how it turned out.
Thanks,
Monica
Hi Monica. No – I got frustrated because I made my dragon smaller than I like. I couldn’t find the necessary enthusiasm to finish her. I intended to use the same colors that I used on the original dragon, but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen any time soon. Sorry…
If you make a dragon yourself, please let us see how it turns out.
Hi, I have been thinking about making a lantern using paper mache. I was wondering if the paper clay would make it too heavy or dense so light couldn’t shine through. I was going to use a balloon as a form just to experiment but eventually, I’d like to use a willow frame. Any suggestions?
Hi Judie. The clay is opaque, so I don’t think it would work for this purpose. Traditional paper strips and paste or diluted white glue should work great. Let us see it when it’s done!
I love your projects. I am working on some lil paper mache ghosts. Their frames are made of crumbled newspaper and tape. I have been trying various air dry clays to add the details out of but it always cracks so I’m excited about trying your clay recipe. Have you had any problems with it cracking as it dries?
Hi Rhonda. I haven’t seen any cracking, so far. Let us know how your ghosts turn out.
just came on your site by google.Ihave to say u must be really patient to answer all of these questions.love your work M
Hello! Your creations are amazing! I was looking for ways to make a cat shaped piggy bank but I don’t want to have to break my piggy bank when it’s full. Also there are difficulties with details such as the eyes and facial features of the cat. Any suggestions?
Hi Amber. I suggest that you make your armature the way I made the paper mache piggy bank, using a salt box or other round container to form the hollow area inside your cat bank. You would, of course, add kitty head, legs and tail. Then, instead of using the traditional paper strips and paste, use the paper mache clay instead because it makes it much easier to add those difficult facial features. The photo of the pig at the very top of this page, and the dachshund on the front cover of my book clearly show that you can create very fine eyes and noses with the clay. However, if you intend to give the bank to a child who still chews on her toys, you wouldn’t want to use the clay because it isn’t edible.
I hope this helps. Have fun!
Hi, thanks for the prompt reply, I don’t really have any way of making the paper clay as I don’t have an electric mixer at home. Is it ok if I use normal clay for fine details just over the head and and feet then cover it up with paper stripes and flour then sand it? Are there any tips as to painting the cat so it looks partially realistic? This is my first time designing, making and painting an art piece all on my own so I need lots of help..
Hi Amber. Yes, you may be able to use clay under a final few layers of paper mache clay. If you use water-based clay, be sure it dries all the way through. It will also soak up some of the water from the paper mache laid over it, so give the last few layers extra drying time.’
If you use oil-based clays, like Sculpey or modeling clays, you’ll need to remove the clay after the final paper mache coats are dry. Otherwise, the oil in the clay will eventually migrate through the painted finish and destroy your work.
Be sure to let us see your cat when it’s done – I’d love to see it.