The first layers of paper mache have been added to the baby elephant.
My paper mache elephant project got sidetracked temporarily by an Elizabeth George novel, and I’m now working at my computer because a yellow-jacket got a bit too interested in the paste. (I’ve already been stung twice this week, so I get a little nervous around the little beasts). But all in all, I think the project is coming along nicely.
I purchased some roll ends of paper from our local newspaper office, which allowed me to work quickly while building the bulk of the elephant from crumpled paper. I use a lot of force to compact the wads of paper so they will be a solid support for the paper mache. Then I try to cover as much of the paper as I can with the 2″ wide masking tape.
I made the tail from a piece of insulated three-wire electrical tape. I didn’t get a good photo of the wire before it was covered by paper, but you can see it below in the first photo if you look closely:
Elephant Tail
About half of the wire is taped to the elephant’s “spine.” If there was a next time I’d plan ahead and add a block of 1 x 2 lumber at the top of the elephant’s press-board armature so there would be a firm place to attach the tail. A few small nails would hold it firmly in place. Since I didn’t do that, it might be possible for a small child or a rowdy adult to pull the tail from the sculpture, if they really worked at it. Of course, we’ll assume that nobody would want to do such a thing..
I decided that it would be too easy to break the trunk if I got clumsy or if the sculpture collided with a ball-chasing 90 lb golden retriever, which is entirely possible considering my ball-throwing aim. So I used some expanded aluminum stuff that I bought years ago for another project. I believe the purpose of the product is to keep leaves out of gutters – but it bends very nicely, and seemed perfect for the elephant.
Elephant Trunk
I held the top part of the material to the head with two nails pressed into the paper, and wrapped twine around it to form it tightly around the trunk. Then a layer of paper and paste was put on over the aluminum. Several more layers will be added to make the “skin” very hard and tough. The lower end of the trunk ended up being thicker than I intended, but I think the extra strength is worth it.
In a few days I should have all the details like eyes and toes finished, and it should be ready to paint. Stay tuned.
- My favorite online bookstore.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh, that’s coming along so nicely! It looks like you have managed to turn the head and give some wave to the trunk and tail. Cool! I can see the thick skin wrinkles building up in various areas. I can’t wait to see its next stages!
The one thing I’m most frustrated with is the need to keep all four feet on the ground. So far the only sculptures I’ve done with a base are small – the dragon and the calf. Without a base, the movement of an animal is very limited, because in nature they often have only two feet on the ground – but a two-footed sculpture would instantly fall over if those feet are not connected to something.
While I worked on the elephant I kept having fantasies of him running, or sitting up, or doing something silly, but he still stood there, solid as a rock. So my next sculpture will be placed on a base. It will be interesting to see how that affects the evolution of my work.
And yes, it was fun to put those wrinkles on the elephant’s britches.
Hm, yeah, that’s tough. Historically, poses like that have been supported with otherwise gratuitous tree stumps or grass clumps, or drapery. I suppose you could work out something like that. Or counterweighting. But the base is probably the most stable idea.
I’m just working on my blog post to describe my dog project, btw.
I can’t wait to see your dog. If you send me an email when your post is done, I’ll put up a special post on my blog and point to it. I know we’ll all learn a great deal from seeing your project.
Thanks, Jonni!
Email sent. Now to figure out how to ship the thing!
Hey everyone, click here to see Xan’s new dog sculpture.
I’m in awe of your creativity!!!
I want to build an alligator out of paper mache. I have been searching the web looking for ideas for making the frame. I guess I just need to jump in and get started. I am thinking large 16 oz plastic bups for the legs, they need to graduate up. Perhaps chicken wire for the body but it is so mean to work with, scratches you and such, any other suggestions?
Hi Penny. What a great project! I agree that chicken wire is mean – I always end up with puncture wounds and scratches everywhere, so I refuse to use it. I don’t know how big your alligator is going to be, but if I was making one lifesized I’d cut an alligator shape out of plywood or heavy cardboard, like the elephant armature, but I would draw the shape from the top, rather than the side. The legs bend too much for plywood to go inside, but heavy cardboard would work – and I’d make the leg shapes go all the way across the back of the ‘gator so there would be a lot of surface for attachment. Then start adding crumpled paper, squashed well so it creates a good solid base for your paper mache, and keep adding it and taping it with masking tape until you have your alligator. Of course, this is the way I make all my animal sculptures. Other people prefer other methods, like chicken wire or balloons, etc., but I like doing it this way because you have the solid paper under your paper mache skin, which helps support it. Check out the paper mache tutorials page – you’ll find all the techniques I use. Then play around and experiment, and come up with some techniques of your own.
And be sure to let us see your alligator when it’s finished! Good luck.
I love the elephant but I need to make a smaller version – any recommendations?
Hi Robin. If you want to use my pattern for your elephant but you don’t want to increase the size as much as I did, just use smaller squares in the grid you use. I used 2″ squares, which created an elephant about 30″ high. She now weights about 40 pounds, which is a very big baby. If you want, you can make a small elephant using the pattern just as it comes out of the printer, or make one 15″ high using 1″ squares in your grid. Does that make sense? I’m not sure if everyone has used a grid to transfer a drawing from one size to another – if I should put up a post explaining it more clearly, please let me know.
This is fantastic…i’m so inspired by your blog, you have so much talent, I can’t wait to see how this turns out.
Hello,
We are building a parade float (Noah’s Ark) and though paper mache would be a good form for portraying the animals. We are concerned about the possibility of rain and wondered if rain would ruin the sculptures and if there are any solutions for protecting them against the rain.
I would definitely suggest a finish coat to protect the paper mache from rain. If you think the sculptures might be rained on for a long time, then you could be double-safe and use marine varnish. Check the label and make sure you use it in a ventilated room. If the sculptures will only be outside for an hour or so, Verathane or Minwax should keep them dry inside.