Baby Chick

I started this project to test a modification to the paper mache clay recipe that was suggested by Ginny in a comment on our paper mache clay page. Her idea of substituting glycerin for the linseed oil in the recipe started a lot of activity in the comments section, so I just had to do some experiments and see if it would work.

I just received my (larger than requested) order of baby chicks, so I’ve got chickens on the brain. That explains my choice of subject matter. I also wanted to create a bird that stands on two feet, since the balance issue has always been slightly intimidating to me. As it turned out, it really wasn’t as hard as I always thought it would be.

Wire Legs and Feet for Baby Chick Sculpture

I started out by bending some wire into a “U” shape, then adding all four toes. If I did this again, I would not double the wire on the back toes this way – it did make it easy to tape the feet together, but it made the back toe too heavy, as you can see in the photo above.

Baby Chick Legs Covered With Tape

The wire was completely covered with masking tape to prevent rust from migrating through the wet clay and ruining the final finish on the bird. If I make another bird I’ll look for some tape that stretches a bit better than masking tape, so the wire legs and toes will be smoother. I’m considering the tape used for bandages, but that’s for another experiment…

I also padded the thigh area at this point. Since I had some aluminum foil on my work table I decided to use it for padding instead of the usual crumpled paper. Of course, the paper would have worked just fine.

Padding the Baby Chick's Body

I started padding the body, building up the separate parts as I worked. The lower tummy was first, fitted inside the wire that connects the two padded thighs. Then I added the chest and neck, and then filled out some more on the back and added the head and wings. Since I was using aluminum foil, it was easy to pinch a bit on the front of the head to make a beak. All of the foil was completely covered with masking tape. When the body was filled out I bent the legs to make sure the bird would stand up without support.

Adding Paper Mache Clay to Baby Chick

Now I made up a batch of paper mache clay. Instead of the linseed oil in the recipe I used about two tablespoons of glycerin. (I found the glycerin at Rite Aid, next to the hydrogen peroxide. It’s also used in soap-making, and as a laxative suppository. I think I bought the last bottle in town). The clay worked nicely, and I was able to apply it in a very thin layer over the masking tape. Since we’re having very warm weather this week the clay dried very fast.

To make the clay seem more “fuzzy” than smooth, I first spread the thin layer of clay on the baby chick, then dabbed it with the end of a stiff stencil brush. You can see in the photo that it made tiny bumps all over the chick.

Paper Mache Clay on Baby Chick Sculpture

I used the edge of a knife to make tiny feathers on the tip of the chick’s wings. I took a ball-point pen apart and used the end of the ink tube to make the eyes perfectly round. I used extra clay to form the cheeks and beak the way I wanted them. The photo above shows the chick after the clay dried, just before I painted her.

Finished Baby Chick

The photo above is another view of the finished chick. You can clearly see in this photo that the back toe is too thick, as I mentioned earlier. Next time, I’ll do that part differently. Other than that, I think she came out quite well. The body shape and the legs make her a more challenging project than the paper mache bluebirds, but it would be fun to make up a few chicks for Easter decorations.

Naturally, I couldn’t stop myself from setting the “fake” chick in the brooder, just to see what the real chicks would think of her. I don’t think they were fooled:

Baby Chicks

I absolutely had to show you this colorful giraffe, made by a class of grade school kids with a bit of help from a parent with carpentry skills. A few days ago we saw a fairly realistic (very buff) paper mache panther mascot made by 7th and 8th grade kids, with some help from a very talented teacher. Now we get to see what kids will do when they let their imaginations and creativity go wild.

Paper Mache Giraffe made by students at Our Redeemer Lutheran School in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.

I’ll let the teacher tell you about it – here’s what she said in her email to me:

Hello Jonni!

I have really enjoyed your website – your creations are incredible!.  I teach at Our Redeemer Lutheran School in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.  Every spring, the sixth grade puts the year’s artwork on display in what we call our Gallery Opening.  We invite the parents, have some fancy appetizers and juice, and the kids act as docents for the evening.  They tell their parents what they have learned about the famous artists we have studied during the school year.  The paper mache project is our centerpiece.  This year, we had a wonderful dad who was willing to make the giraffe armature out of 2 x 4s and we took it from there.  The final covering is a mod-podged collage of bright tissue paper.

Keep the great projects coming!  You are a great resource for classroom art teachers!

Thank you!

Nan Burger

This morning I received a comment from a reader who has been searching for a pattern she could use to make a monkey or gorilla in paper mache, like the patterns I’ve been creating for the elephant, panda, and others here on this blog. Unfortunately, I haven’t made the pattern she’s looking for yet, and as far as I know, this is the only place where you can find them. I may be wrong, but I believe I invented the idea of using patterns for papier mache sculptures.

For months now I’ve been intending to write a book that includes some of the patterns I’ve already created, with updated instructions using the less-messy paper mache clay instead of laminated paper and paste. I would also include many new patterns, along with instructions that show you exactly how to make a pattern of your own, using a photo for a reference. I’ll even show you how to find photos you can use without violating anyone’s copyright.

Now that winter is setting in, and I don’t have any other pressing projects to do, it’s a perfect time to get started on that book. Your suggestions would be very welcome:

• What animals should I develop patterns for?
• What specific problems do you encounter with papier mache sculptures that you would like help with?
• Would you like to explore subjects other than critters?
• Is “paper mache clay” a good name for the recipe I’m using now? (I think “paper clay” is taken).
• And anything else you can think of…

I hope to get started just as soon as I get home from a short trip, so please keep your suggestions coming. I may be a little slow approving comments since I’ll be spending some time on a bus, (this country really needs a competitor for Greyhound), but your comments will show up as soon as I can get to an Internet connection.

Thanks for your help – and thanks for all the nice comments this blog has received in the past year. It’s so much fun to hear from you.

Snow Leopard

This is one BIG cat. 28″ long, 22″ high and 16″ wide. I really enjoy making the large sculptures, especially now that I’m using the home-made paper mache clay recipe, but really – what was I thinking? The snow leopard needs to be transported to Bellingham in time for the after-Thanksgiving art show. I’d better go find myself a really big box.

If I was doing this cat over, I’d put the spots where they belong. Other than that, I think he came out rather well. I’ll title this one The Ghost Cat. Some of the people who live in the same rugged environment as the snow leopard call him that, and I think it’s wonderfully descriptive. He hunts at night, he would shine in the moonlight, and there are very few of them left. In just a few years, his ghost may be all that’s left.

After I finished this big cat I did an online search to see what other sculptors are doing with snow leopards. I found some truly inspiring work:

These life-sized cats are made from sisal fibers – it’s hard to believe they aren’t real cats. I would love to see these up close and personal.

I love the tail on this ceramic snow leopard, near the bottom of the gallery page. (And the water buffalo is great, too.)

Bobcat Sculpture

This sculpture is all about the spots. The bobcat is 21″ from nose to tail, 14″ high and 12″ wide. It was made with papier mache and paper clay over a wire, paper and masking tape form.

Lately I’ve been using Dan Reeder’s method of creating the inside form. Dan’s the author of Papier-Mache Monsters, which I read last month. I’ve been intending to tell you about it ever since I first read it, but all these cats have kept me too busy.

Dan’s been building with papier mache for years, and he has a number of tips and tricks that I didn’t know about. I’ve been able to translate some of his methods to realistic animal sculptures (I’m really not into monsters all that much). The one that has helped the most has been his use of wire frames, made from heavy coat hanger wire.

I still think my method of using a pattern cut from cardboard or plywood is best if you’re building something really big, like an elephant sculpture or room-sized dinosaur. The pattern lets you know from the beginning exactly how the finished sculpture will turn out. It would work especially well if a number of people are helping with the project.

But Dan’s method allows for twists and turns that can’t be achieved with my patterns. It also allows you to be a bit more inventive and spontaneous – because the legs and back can be bent after the crumpled paper has been covered with masking tape, allowing you to put your critter in a pose that you may not have thought of before you had the pieces in front of you. I wish I could tell you exactly how he does it, but it wouldn’t be nice for me to tell Dan’s secrets on my blog – so check your local library to see if they have their copy yet.

I’ve really been having fun lately with the Glazing Liquid made by Golden. It makes it a lot easier for me to get the natural look I want. I’ve been looking for a product like it for months, but never used the right word when searching for it. My daughter Jessie, (who recently painted a pretty nice gourd), knew what to call it – why didn’t I ask her sooner?

Two Lion Cubs Playing

I’ve been working on a set of four large sculptures of lion cubs, and two of them are now finished. These two are playing with each other, in cat-like fashion.

These are quite large – the sitting lion cub is 15″ high, 22″  long and 12″ wide. The upside-down cub is 14″ high, 26″ long and 12″ wide.

I wanted all the lions to be close to the same size and age, so I made a face with plasticine clay and created a urethane mold. I pressed a bit of the paper clay (recipe shown on a recent post ) into the mold so I would have four lion cubs from the same litter. Then each face was slightly modified after it was attached to its body.

The form for the bodies was made from wire, crumpled paper and masking tape, and covered with paper mache strips and paper clay.

The upside-down cub was a lot of fun to make, but she really needs one of her playmates nearby in order to see why she’s upside down. Here’s two photos the cubs alone:

Upside-Down Lion Cub

Lion Cub, Sitting

These cubs were made specifically for the Bellingham art show I’ve been telling you about lately. I’m hoping that someone will purchase two of the cubs together so my little upside-down lion will have a permanent playmate. If not, she may be coming back home – which would be OK. If that happens, I’ll just make her someone to play with in my living room.

I’m still not sure how to price these guys. I’ve searched all over the web and I can’t find anything that’s really comparable. Any suggestions would be welcome. In a few days I’ll show you the other two cubs.

Black Hen with Siamese "Chicks"

This hen and “chicks” is the first project I’ve completed using my paper clay recipe. The base is paper clay over particle board, and the hen and kittens are made from paper clay over a crumpled paper and masking tape form. The feathers are paper clay over plastic mesh drywall tape (you find it right next to the joint compound at the hardware store).

I really wanted a matte finish on the hen, and I applied an acrylic matte varnish, but you can see in the photo that it’s shiny. If you happen to know about a water-based finish that really is matte, and that brushes on (no spray cans), please let me know. It would make me very happy.

I’m building cats this month because I’m getting ready for that pop-up gallery show in Bellingham next month. The house is filling up with cats, mostly the wild kind. After working on a full-sized snow leopard for several weeks (he’s still not done), I needed some little cats to play with – hence, these newborn Siamese kitties.

Hen with Siamese "Chicks" (Detail)

My father has been busy this week, too. You may remember how I bragged about the custom-made concrete bench he brought me last month. I’ve never seen him actually build his benches, but now I get a chance to see exactly how it’s done because he’s taken hundreds of photos of the process. And better yet, he’s posting them on his new blog.

My dad is now officially a blogger.

He just posted photos that show him carving a dog into a concrete bench mold that he used to make a custom bench for my Uncle Jack. If you have a chance, go check out his new blog. You’ll find it at GrampaPetes.com There are a lot of photos, so the page may take a few seconds to load. Be sure to say “hi” while you’re there.

Calico Angel Cat

This week I’m working on a series of four winged cats. I haven’t really decided if they’re cat angels, super-hero cats, or a half-remembered scene out of the Wizard of Oz. But I do know I’m having a lot of fun making them.

Two of my very non-angelic cats posed for me. Their modeling fees were paid with tuna fish.

Grey Striped Angel Cat

Now I have to get back to work and finish the other two winged cats. And I have three lion cub heads in the oven (that should make sense as soon as I write my next post.)

All these cats will be transported to Bellingham for an after-Thanksgiving art show.

I just found this newpaper article about a Canadian sculptor in Yellowknife who creates museum-quality sculptures out of paper mache.

SOMBA K’E/YELLOWKNIFE – Sculptor Monique Robert is marshaling a myriad of monsters in midtown Yellowknife. Her work space on Forrest Park seems more like a whimsical museum than a home studio.

Sculptor Monique Robert depicted this stallion leaping through a wall using papier mache. The life-sized piece will be exhibited at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre from Sept. 14 to 27 as part of the Aurora Arts Society’s sixth annual Artsweek. – photo courtesy of Monique Robert

Robert fashions realistic-looking, supernatural animals loosely based on classical Greek and medieval European myths. Her retinue includes a muskox minotaur, dragons, giraffes, zebras, gargoyles and a centaur that is half-man, half-caribou.

“You can do whatever you want with (myth) and there are no rules,” she said. “I can come up with some really twisted characters that seem to come to life.”

Even more fantastical is the fact that Robert creates her life-sized creatures using a specialized form of papier mache. The sculptures are rugged and strong, with the look of painted wood and the solid, smooth texture of finely-sanded fibreglass. She experimented with the medium until she got the recipe just right.

“There’s nothing out there I’ve seen like it,” she said.

Read the rest of the article here, then go see her online sculpture gallery at MoniqueRobertStudios.com. Since we sw a paper mache dinosaur on this site just a few days ago, be sure to click on the photo of the orange Allosaurus. (Click any of the small photos, and you’ll get a slide show of detail photos. Very classy website. I’m jealous.)

She has a book coming out soon, and you can bet I’ll be standing in line to get my copy.

Giant Kid-Designed Paper Mache Dinosaur

When I saw this newspaper report of a giant dinosaur, completely kid-designed and built, I couldn’t resist showing you. According to the newspaper report, the project started months ago in a class for 3 to 7-year old kids who were learning about these ancient creatures. They decided to make one of their own, so they invented a whole new breed of giant ancient lizard, got some help from handy parents with a bit of carpentry skills for the wooden armature, and then spent many happy hours bringing their new creature to life.

(If there are any teachers out there who would like some ideas about building a wooden armature for a large paper mache sculpture, check out my baby elephant video. It will save you a lot of time and frustration during the engineering phase of your project.)

The thing that excites me most about this project is the way art was used to make learning about dinosaurs fun. Art and science make excellent partners, and it’s one of the reasons why it’s so important to keep art a daily part of every school program.

I totally relate to this bit:

…everyone who walks by can’t help giving Hope a pet on the head or a pat on the back.

After spending all the time necessary to build  paper mache critters, you get really attached to them. It almost feels magical, watching a “real” animal emerge from a pile of lumber, paper and paste. Every kid should get a chance to feel that magic.

The photo shows the Recyclosaurus in his not-quite finished state. They’re still working on him, and intend to add eyes and mouth soon. If you happen to get a photo of this wonderful 15 foot long paper mache sculpture when he’s all done, please let me know so I can share it with everyone.

Congratulations to the kids, parents and teachers at the Creek Nation Child Development Center in Tulsa. Job well done!