Paper Mache as an Art Medium

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Paper Mache isn't Just for Kids

Paper Mache requires few tools, simple materials, and recycles old paper into art. Now we associate it with children's school projects but paper mache started out as and remains a medium for fine art. Read on to learn more about this great medium (and if you have kids this could be an art you can share and work on together).

What is Paper Mache?

"Paper Mache or Papier-mâché (French for 'chewed-up paper' because of its appearance) is a construction material that consists of pieces of paper, sometimes reinforced with textiles, stuck together using a wet paste (e.g., glue, starch, or wallpaper adhesive). The crafted object becomes solid when the paste dries."

More from Wikipedia



That's the technical definition. However more of us remember paper mache from school, especially covering balloons with strips of newspaper. Well paper mache is much more than just a material for kids projects and piñatas. It has been and still is used as a material for fine art. So throw away your visions of 2nd grade and have some fun with paper mache as a grown up.

General Paper Mache Sites

Papier Mache
PapierMache.co.uk - The ultimate papier mache resource for tutorials, articles, books, galleries PLUS discussion forums.
Papier Mache Craft
The art of paper recycling
Sutherland Studios - Papier Mâché Techniques
Learn the basic Papier Mache techniques for free from Sutherland Studios!

Paper Mache Methods

There are two basic types of paper mache.

Strip Method
This is the kind we all remember from grade school. Building up layers of paper strips which have been dipped in glue/paste. This method works best for creating hollow forms like bowls and masks.

Torn strips of newspaper (or other scrap paper) are dipped in glue and then built up in layers over a form. Forms can be balloons, wiremesh such as chicken wire, or balled up paper. Good glues for the strip method are wheat paste, PVA (white) glue thinned with water, or wallpaper paste.

Pulp Method
Paper mache pulp is mashed up paper mixed with a binder such as white glue or wallpaper paste, it can be very fine or quite chunky and is a bit clay like in the way it is sculpted. It works best for solid figures. There are many recipes for pulp which are listed below.

Both forms can be combined in one piece. For example a face form for a mask can be built with strips and then details added with pulp.

Paper Mache Pulp Recipes

While you can buy paper mache mixes that will save time and mess, making your own is just so much fun. Plus you can tailor it to exactly what you need.
Paper Pulp Recipe
From Enchanted Beings
PROPTOLOGY: Recipes
Ronnie Burkett's Papier Mache Recipes
Papier Mache - Tutorials - Some Advanced Papier Mache Recipes
Martin Favreau shares with us his tried and tested recipes for pulped papier mache.

Premade Paper Mache

Blick's Mix Instant Papier Maché
Blick's Mix Instant Papier Maché


Activa Celluclay Instant Papier Mache
Activa Celluclay Instant Papier Maché

Activa Fast Mache

Activa Fast Mache



www.DickBlick.com


*I am an affiliate of Dick Blick Art Materials. I promote their products on my pages because I'm also a customer who appreciates their customer service.

Paper Mache Videos

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Paper Mache Projects

How to make a papier mache doll
How to make a papier mache doll by tricia

Paper Mache Books

About paper mache not made from it. Though that could be a fun project!

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Artists Using Paper Mache

Nives Cicin-Sain News
Croatian Paper Mache Artist
Bernard Stimple-Abele
Paper Mache Artist
The Mask Art of Monica Roxburgh
Goblin Art

Paper Mache on Flickr

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