Blog
About my Paper Mache Blog
When I first jumped onto the internet in 2008, you could make a website, or a blog. Websites were static; blogs were dynamic. So I made one of each. I built my site, GourmetPaperMache.com (this site) where I put information about my art. I also made a blog, PaperMacheBlog.com, to feature my current projects (see the photo at the top of the page) and allow people to comment. Of course now I can have them both on WordPress. I’m not sure what to do about this. For now, I’m going to keep my other blog (now called Gourmet Paper Mache Blog), mostly because so many people have signed up to follow it. A bit convoluted I know.
Feel free to comment on this page, or visit my blog, PaperMacheBlog.com. Thank you!
258 Responses to “Blog”
Love your work! I’m gonna buy your books this coming Wednesday. I would like to have a go at making a light up trophy dragon. Every year our area does a Festival of Trees to raise money for Hospice families! Yes I know it’s a Christmas event but I want to try something a little off the wall! Literally make and hang a trophy dragon above a fake fireplace with a Christmas wreath and bow hanging off of it. I think it would be a hit! Anyhow if it raises a few dollars for those families in need then all is well right! Lol! Anyhow I love your work, and look forward to giving this a go!
Thank you very much Carolyn. I really appreciate your comments. Good luck with your projects. I think a dragon trophy fits any season!
I just discovered your work via facebook share. You are fabulous !!!
Keep up the good work!
I’d love to see a tiger or horse by you I bet those would sell quick!
Take care master mache!
Hello Jessica. Thanks for the note. While I appreciate the suggestion, I have to say that I am more into fantasy art. I did make a little lion cub once. You can see it about half way down this page, http://gourmetpapermache.com/2015/03/14/some-older-paper-mache-dragons/ if you are interested.
Hi there, I’m quite new to making paper mâché dragons and stuff, I was just wondering what you used to make the teeth of your dragons. It may sound like a stupid question but it would really help my work if I used similar materials to you. I love your work!
Hello Theo. I use polymer clay, Fimo or Sculpy etc for teeth and claws. Good luck!
Dan, your FB account seems to have been hacked. Please change your password. You might want to delete all recent posts on there.
^ What Isabel said!
Yes and the posts are ..um.. not appropriate
That was a hacker, not me! I’m sorry you saw those things. It has been fixed. I got my page back. It was a terrible experience. Thank you for your concern. It won’t happen again.
Thanks Isabel. I was hacked, but it has now been fixed. Sorry about that.
who and what has hacked into ur FB page…
A sleazeball hacker hacked my page. Maybe because I have a lot of “likes”. I don’t know. But I got it back. Thank you for your concern K.
You have given me some great ideas and I thank you for it. I haven’t done paper mache for many years and am just getting back into it. I have made a huge fish and am having trouble figuring out how I can make the scales on the body. If you have any ideas please let me know as I want to finish this.
thank you
I make scales by dipping a square piece of cloth into white clue. I fold two corners toward the middle to make a triangular scale. That would definitely work on a fish. You can see it on one of my very old (and very grainy) videos. http://youtu.be/F9Bh7eY5noc Good luck!
My new dragon: http://scuba-kitten.livejournal.com/33205.html
That is a great dragon trophy! Congratulations!
Do you ever do any trees? My boyfriend is a landscaper “lifer’ and just loves Bonsi trees. Would love to know how to make one of those for him myself.
Your work is incredible. Thank you for sharing it on the web….Susie
Hello Susie. I haven’t made a tree. But if I did, I would just twist many strands of paper around wire using masking tape to hold it together. I would assemble the strands into larger and larger branches and a trunk. Then I would cover with “cloth mache”. Good luck!
Dan, I really wanted to thank you for the instructional videos. I teach high school art and this is my last year. I wanted to go out with the best lessons I could find. Years ago at another school I found your book, “Screamers”. I used it while there and loved it. I could not find it until your videos. On a whim I looked you up. I was really surprised! Thanks again. We are working on them right now. I have gone through over 35#s of flour and are not done. The students are so excited. I expect we should finish by the end of January. I hope your site returns soon so they can have the benefit of your expertise. The fast videos are not the same for them. I know you have put a great deal of effort out there for us and I wanted you to know it is appreciated. Problem solving techniques can come in many forms and I think yours is outstanding. Thank You, Thank You,
Cheryl
Hello Cheryl. You are a saint for taking on a project like this. I know from experience it is a huge challenge. But the kids will remember it forever. I have former elementary students write to me after 30 and 40 years to tell me how much they love Screamer building. good luck!
Dan, I have recently (a month ago) picked up your book for Paper Mache Dragons. I’ve browsed through most of it and am really enjoying gathering materials to make a trophy of my own. A sticking point that I’m getting to is that mounting panels tend to be expensive, so I’m looking to make my own with a few pieces of wood, stain, and some saws. For the big mounts that you’ve done–such as Drogon and the mount that exploded in popularity for you (how I found you work, of course)–approximately what dimensions would those mounting panels be? I’m estimating 18x24in, but would like to double-check that I’m not over or underestimating.
I know that my project won’t be to the T of some of yours, but if you have time to provide an approximation, I would be quite grateful. Also, you can bet I’ll be sharing whatever I do in the months ahead. 🙂
Hello Jessica. You are in the ballpark. I think mine was 19 inches wide by 22 inches tall. I buy the plaques first, then build to fit them. Good luck!
Hi Dan,
In the 90’s I was teaching 5th grade and developed a unit combining making your “Screamers” (the Art Teacher agreed to make it the project for the month) and teaching Storytelling. Each student made a Screamer and learned to tell a “scary” story. At the end of the unit parents/families were invited (the night of the full moon that fell closest to Halloween) to walk a path in the woods behind the school to see the screamers illuminated by candlelight and then stop and listen to small groups of students tell the stories they’d learned. I called the unit “The Enchanted Forest”, and eventually shared a how-to workshop at the local college for teachers in the region. Each year was fantastic and the kids loved their screamers. If you’d like more details on the unit, shoot me an email.
Hi Erik. So funny, when someone says, “the early 90s” I think, “well that wasn’t very long ago!” But of course it was 20 years ago. That sounds like a great project, and an amazing amount of work! Most teachers avoid doing projects that are that messy and involved. But it ends up being something the kids remember forever. I have former students, some from many decades past, who still talk about making Screamers. I also taught high school math for many years. Kids don’t write to tell me how much they enjoyed learning about the quadratic formula or asymptotes. (although they do think I made math fun) I’m retired from teaching now and doing my art full time. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Erik. I’m sorry. I replied to this post but I don’t know where it went. I’m still working on the site and have messed a few things up. That sounds like a great project! And a very messy one. But I’m sure the kids really loved it. It is the holy grail of elementary teaching to combine disciplines to make the learning fun (and efficient). You are one of “those” teachers who get it. Thank you for sharing this with me.
Hey Dan,
My name is “Kay”. I am 10. I am using my moms email. I am making a mini dragon, thanks for idea. I am wondering how to post some of the pics to you. Thx
-Kay
Hi Kay. Glad you are doing art! I am very glad I could help. I only post photos of kids who are 11. Ha ha. That was a bad joke. I’d be honored to post photos of your dragon. Just send them to me at dan@gourmetpapermache.com. I’ll post them with any caption you like. I look forward to seeing your dragon!
Thx I am not finished with it yet, but I have some pics
I know Kay. Just send them when you are done. Have fun!
HI,
have you considered retrieving most of your old website from the wayback machine? http://web.archive.org/web/20110727143924/http://www.gourmetpapermache.com/GourmetPaperMache.php
I have lost websites before–and retrieved most of them there. Just a thought.
Hello David. Didn’t know there was such a thing. I was able to dig up the files I used to create the site. Now it just takes time to repopulate everything. Thanks for the advice.
Great work. I have read your Monster book. Excellent. Anyway, I have a friend who lives overseas (UK). I’d like to send him a mounted dragon head for his gaming room. How sturdy are these dragon heads, and how would you suggest packing one to ship long distance? Should I leave the head unmounted and give him instructions for mounting the base onto the head? Pack the whole thing in styrofoam peanuts? Any suggestions would be helpful (Sorry, couldn’t find a link to email you directly).
Hello Robert. I have to be honest and tell you that shipping is not easy. The projects are pretty strong, but as you know there are parts that you won’t want bumped, especially teeth or tentacles and horns. You don’t want your friend to have to fix it. You have to build a custom made box. I cut supports on the inside to hold everything in place. You don’t want it jostling inside. And I put wood on the corners at least to keep it from being crushed. It can be almost as much work as making the project. The other thing you will notice is that it will tend of take a much bigger box than you think because these projects tend to not be compact. Things stick out. So be careful when building that you don’t exceed shipping size constraints. And the worst news is that you are going to be shocked at the prices to ship. It can easily cost $1200-$1800 to ship a trophy sized box to the UK. I quit selling to people outside of the US because of shipping costs. Sorry, don’t mean to be such a downer. I wish you luck with this.
Hi I am very interested in your paper mache techniques, I was wondering what the white paper type thing you use around the eyes, nose, and mouths. And I was wondering if you take requests for paper mache ideas I don’t want to buy it off of you I just was wondering what the techniques and things like that would be for a fairy not like a tinkerbell fairy but a fantasy fairy. And if you could do a time lapse video of you making one that would be awesome. Thank you for reading this if you do.
Hello Tyler. I add a “skin” of cloth (old bed sheets) dipped in white glue to my projects. It makes them very strong and allows for nice detail. I call this process “cloth mache” for lack of a better term. So far as suggestions, I get them all the time. I just don’t always do them. I made a tooth fairy once. It was fun. Maybe I’ll do something like that again. Good luck!
I was also wondering what you use to make your teeth and claws look like actual teeth and claws.
I just use polymer clay like Fimo or Sculpy for teeth and claws.
Hi!
My name`s Sergey. I`m from Russia. I like Dragons and make they of Paper Mache, too.
I have 1 question: where You take(buy) eyes?
Thank you, for your creativity!
Hello Sergey. Nice to meet you. I buy eyes from taxidermy companies. But there is a great place in the UK (closer to you). It is http://www.glasseyes.com. Good luck!
Dan
Thank you, Dan.
I can send for you photo of my dragon. Did you collection photo?
What your e-mail?
Good bye!
My email is dan@gourmetpapermache.com
and next question: You buy a very expensive eyes? I`m 14 ,and I don’t beg to do smth buy this eyes, thus and so I make them oneself(((.
I hope, I don`t trouble you my writings.
Excuse me for my illiteracy.
Hello again Sergey. I buy the eyes that you see on the link I sent. You can make eyes out of anything round, marbles, drawer knobs, etc. You don’t have to buy the eyes.
Hello, my name is Steven. I am interested in making a dragon trophy, just waiting to get the materials together. I was wondering what kind of glue mixture you use and what your opinion is about using flour due to molding. Some people say glue and water is enough but if its strong enough whats the purpose of adding flour in the first place if it causes mold?
Hello Steven. I use flour and water paste for the paper mache. Mold has never been a problem. Just need to make sure everything is dry. I use white glue with cloth for the “skin”. Good luck.
with the skin you dont use flour but do you water down the glue or use it as is?
No, I leave the glue full strength.
Thanks for your help. I’m a big fan of your work. I really want to give it a try but I think it will be a while before I get a chance but when I do I will send you pictures of the finished product.
You are welcome Steven. It’s all about practice. Good luck
I got one more question for you. where do you get the lights you put behind the eyes and what are they called?
Those are l.e.d. lights I bought them online. I can’t remember exactly where. I got the ones with battery packs. Just google “led lights” and you’ll find some.
When did you do the out door dragon and how is it doing?
The outdoor dragon is about 5 years old. It is doing very well so far. I’m surprised.
How often do you touch up your trophies, and statues, and stuff, or do you at all???
The only time I add any more paint is if I break something and have to fix it. Otherwise I don’t.
Do you think there could be a way to run a tube to a dragons nose and hook it to a fog machine to make the dragon have smoke coming out its nose maybe even his mouth. my concern was about moisture but if i use exterior wood glue and exterior paint do you think it could work. PS your welcome to use the idea if you want i will most likely never be in a position to make it. but i thought it would be cool.
Actually it’s been done several times by people I know. It would work great. Give it a try!
Hi Dan! I am a 39yr old dad with two kids. I have little experience with paper mache but love making things with my hands. I saw your videos and I’m HOOKED! Great work! My 3 yr old is my biggest helper. She loves it! I have 3 projects going right now. I just started painting my first one. I have started with tepura paint and it seems I need to apply several coats to achieve a good look. I was wondering what kind of paint works best for the clothemache? Also do you use a primer before you begin applying your color? I appreciate any input! Thanks for your time! I hope to send some photos soon. Thanks, John
Hello John. I use all-purpose paint from the hardware store. You can get small cans (Rustoleum has these) or even sample sizes at Lowe’s for a couple of bucks. Just don’t use oil based. Tempura isn’t great. That is for posters. Paint over that when you get different paint. Good luck
I just love your dragon heads and other work! They are so cool I am trying to make one, I am 10.
how do you make the tongue?
Hello Caroline. Glad you like this work. To make a tongue I twist paper around two pieces of wire clothes hanger. I taper the twisting to points. Then I put the two pieces together and add masking tape down the middle on only one side. That will provide a crease on the other side. I add bends as I see fit. Then cover with cloth and glue and paint. Good luck!
thanks! 🙂
Hi, I believe I already asked this but what do you use for the teeth again? I went to my local craft store and I couldn’t remember the name, all I could find was an oven bake clay and an air dry based clay.
Yes, it’s the oven baked clay that you want. It’s Fimo or Premo or Sculpy.
Thank you so much for helping me out, I haven’t quite yet started on my project yet, I currently have an order of like six dragon’s; I’ve got a frost/ice dragon I’m doing, a crystal dragon, a feathery dragon, a gold dragon (not smaug) more of a dragon touched by the hands of King Midas kind of dragon, a serpent type dragon (Gyarados) if your familiar with Pokemon, and an armored dragon. I am more of a scare jaw line type dragon person, personally, would I add more mache or what’s your suggestions for that, and again thank you for putting this out there cause I would have never thought to do this without your work.
Sounds like you’ll be busy. Good luck!
Hello! I have to say, I’m a realy big fan of yours!
I am seriously starting to think that this type of sculpting would make a pretty awsome hobby, so I’m gathering all the info I need to start.
At first, thank you for your youtube tutorials. I have noticed that you use a pink paste for the gums of the dragons you make. Can you give me more information about it?
Thanks in advance.
Agis.
Hello Agis. That is just pink paint. I paint the jaws in advance of assembly. Good luck!
Oh, really ?!
ahahh I’m sorry. My bad. the video skips a few thinks so it’s a little hard to understand. Anyway. Much obliged, for your fast reply.
No problem. Have fun.
Dan YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE HAS BEEN HACKED WITH PORN RUBBISH!!!!!!!
Yes, thank you Lorraine. It was hacked. But it is now fixed. I’m sorry about that.
Hi Dan, i am in the process of making a large dragon and would like him to live in my garden! did you have any luck with the dragon you put in the tree? if so what did you use as a top coat for weather proofing? i was thinking of useing fibre glass fabric and resin but this works out very exspensive .
many thanks Lyn
Hey Dan. I was wondering what size eyes you usually use on your dragon trophies. i found 20 clear glass domes with no eye for under $10, what kind of paint would i use to paint on the dragon slits. And if i put lights behind the eyes how do i make it to where when the lights off you cant see the bulbs behind the eyes but when the lights on it shines through.
Hello Steven. I guess the eyes are around 30mm for the trophies. But they vary. For the blanks I used Testors (those little bottles you get for painting plastic models). But that is not what I did with the two projects where I added lights. For those I bought taxidermy eyes and then used a Drummel tool to grind off all but the slits. That made the glass foggy. If I were doing what you are I wouldn’t even worry about it The lights look clear when turned off. So you might see them through the eyes but it wouldn’t look bad. I would experiment a little with that. Good luck
Hey Dan,
I was wondering if the sheets to do the cloth mache have to be white? I have some that aren’t, but I was worried the print or color might show through the paint.
Hi Steven. No,they don’t have to be white. I use white because I’m usually shooting video. Paint will cover just fine.
Thanks Dan. You have been a big help.Everything I need that I didn’t have is in the mail except the sheets, so hopefully by the end of the month I can get started on my dragon trophy. Depending on how it turns out, next I will try a full size dragon or a marionette.
Have fun!
What kind of paint do you use? I have black, white, red, blue and yellow so i can make any color i need but its latex paint. I know acrylic and latex are both water based paints. Should it make a difference. Also if i use it, it has a slight shine to it. is there anything i can do about that?
Indeed you have every color you need. All paints are made with a combination of latex (rubber) and acrylic (plastic). As long as it’s water based it will work fine. You can’t change the sheen once you buy the paint. You have to buy the one you like. But don’t worry about it. Just paint. It will be fine.
Thanks Dan for the fish scale idea. One other question. What kind of paper is it that you use over the dragon wings (white)….is it just regular paper?
I really appreciate your help.
That is also cloth and glue. I call the process “cloth mache”. It makes the projects very strong and it allows for detail that is hard to get with paper alone.
Basic cotton cloth? or something different? I cant thank you enough. I am starting on the scales soon and played out your idea for scales on a piece of cardboard…looks awesome. Thanks so much.
Jennifer
I never check the label. I guess most are cotton. The older and more worn the sheet the better it all works. Good luck!
Planning something something small. And horrific. Will peer out from under a high bed. Carefull, it’ll get your feet!
Sounds great! Have fun!
Hello,
I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed looking around your blog, seeing all of the pictures of your work and others’ inspirations! I also liked the virtual tour of your studio and your videos are incredible. I have always loved dragons, collect them and have drawn quite a few. I have worked with paper mache and plaster strips, but am very impressed with the quality and details of your work. I know how it can be for people who don’t create to think it must be “easy” because it’s “fun”…and they have difficulty grasping how much real effort it involves. Making art may be fun, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t also a lot of work! 🙂
By the way, I absolutely agree with you about the relationship/kinship of dragons and cats. It’s fantastic that you have real life “models” (haha) to study. When I create dragons, I tend to think of them as a combination of cat, alligator and crocodile.
Anyway, just wanted to let you know that you have another fan. Thanks so much for sharing and being such an inspiration!
~ Corina
Hello Corina. I really appreciate all of your remarks. Thank you for taking the time to write. And yes, these projects are very labor intensive, much more than my videos suggest. Thanks again! Take care
Hi, All of your work is amazing! I bought your book and am working through the projects trying to gain some skill, learned a lot, thank you so much.
I have one problem so far that came up on my second project that maybe you can help me figure out. I painted the pig with the same paint as the first project, painters touch ultra only difference was one color was semi gloss and one was satin mixed to make the pink color. once the paint dried it cracked. It looks like a “crackled pig” and although still pretty cool, not what i was going for and I am scared the next projects will do the same thing. Have you had this happen before and if so what causes it, any way to fix it?
thanks
PJ
Hi Pam. That happens to me on almost every project I make. It happens when the paint is too thick and dries too fast. If you blackwash and then add highlights it will still look great, even though the cracks may not completely disappear. Those cracks were very prevalent on my bulldog when I painted the white. http://papermacheblog.com/older-paper-mache-projects/bulldog-with-treat/ You can see them on the photos at the end. But I think the project still looks good when it was finished. If you don’t want them at all, add water to the paint and add a light second coat. Good luck!
Thank you so much for replying quickly. I am ready to paint the next project and was worried about it. Makes sense because I was really slapping on the pink paint since it was all one color I didn’t have to be as careful. Can’t thank you enough for introducing me to this art.
I wanted to make simple graduation pinatas for my son this year and stumbled onto your site, sure glad I did. Pinatas probably won’t get made now because these projects are too nice to smash.
Wish I had an art teacher like you in school!
Glad you are having fun. Btw, I actually taught math (after my time at the elementary level).
Hello Dan
I agree with every one of your fans. Your art is fantastic !! I saw one of your videos on face book two weeks ago. Today I have three rooms covered with flour and torn paper. I have played with art close to 60 years and this is one of the few mediums I have not explored until now. I am having great fun, thank you. I just ordered two of your books. I will be following your work on my PC. Stay healthy.
Hello Philip. Nice to meet you! Yes, I did see your book order. I’ll ship today. I think you will like this medium. Thanks for the note!
Hi Dan so I started the project two days ago unfortunately I don’t have tape haha so I am having to make sections of the project, fist day of the project my neck looked like a Dalek from Doctor Who, but yesterday it looks better still only problem no tape, I was wondering if there was an email or something where I can send you pictures of the project and its final look once it is finished
Hi Tyler. Sounds like you are having fun. You can send photos to dan@gourmetpapermache.com
HI MY NAME IS BRANDY! I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED ART AND TRYING NEW THINGS TO DO WITH ART AND I’M TRYING IT BECAUSE MY KIDS WANT DRAGONS IN THERE ROOMS AND HOW COOL FOR DRAGONS COMING OUT OF THERE WALLS! BUT WHERE DO YOU GET TEETH FROM?
Hello Brandy. I make the teeth and claws out of Fimo or Sculpy. You bake it in the oven. Good luck!
I love your work, especially I like your goal of changing the face of paper mache
I’ve been using a Clag based product for the glue and it tends to be hit and miss, what do you use for your glue as it looks really strong, especially using cloth?
Hello Chris. Nice to meet you. I use Elmer’s glue. I use it full strength. I like it the best of all white glues. It is more water soluble than PVA or wood glues. As you noted, it works well with cloth. Would love to see your work.
Thanks for your reply,
I live in NSW Australia and work for the Department of Education teaching visual arts. Do you know what other brands would supply the same glue? I don’t know whether I’d be able to get Elmer’s in Oz
What’s the make up of that glue? I use a mixture of paper mache powder and mix it with water then add PVA or binder medium to try to give it a bit more strength however I can’t find a combination that’s reliable
PVA works fine. Elmer’s is just a brand. I don’t know exactly what is in it. Whatever they use in the elementary school is probably the closest thing.
WOW! I love your work and ill be buying your books 🙂
Thanks Kerry! Good luck. I think you will enjoy this medium.
Hello Dan, I love your work! I was just wondering what the black paint (?) is that you use towards the end of your projects? The stuff you wipe off after you put it on.
Thank you for sharing your art so freely!
P.S. I love your cats.
Hi Savennah. That’s exactly what it is, just black paint with water added. Paint it on then wipe it off before the paint dries. Thank for the kind remarks. Glad to help. Good luck!
Hii Dan, totally love your website! I have become very exited about paper mache.
I’m planning to make a dragon scull mask. Do you have any suggestions to make it water resistant?
Hello Daphne. The only things I know about this topic I’ve written about here, http://gourmetpapermache.com/2015/01/13/outdoor-paper-mache-dragon/ . Good luck!
A friend put a link to your site up and I took a look; I have always been intrigued by dragons and to see how you bring them to life is just amazing. When I get a chance I’m going to try to make one. I certainly want to take a look at your books.
Hello Ken. Glad you like them! Good luck!
i Dan, I brought your book in kindle version the Paper Mache Dragons, Im trying to make a trophy dragon head like Maleficent but am stuck on the pieces, I have the main neck part and the football shaped one so far I know there is probably two other ones I need, but in the time lapse video I could not see all, is it possible to post up here a picture of what other parts I need to make, tia Ness from australia
Hello Ne. I’m sorry but I don’t have photos of that build. I just didn’t shoot them for that project. I think you have most of what you need. You just need horns. There are only a couple of those. If you look at my posts about Son of Maleficant I think you can see how to make horns. Sorry.
I just recently bought your booking dragons. I’m hoping it will inspire and teach me to be as impressive at this as you are at this amazing craft! I’m hoping to make my boyfriend a pretty impressive wall mount dragon head. I’m just wondering How it will ship to Alabama. Hopefully it won’t be too massive for that! You are an inspiration and I look forward to getting your book in the mail! 🙂
Hi April. I’ll be shipping the book today. Thanks! How massive it is depends upon how massive you make it. You can keep the size smaller by making all of the pieces smaller. I hate to tell you but shipping is a pain. I find it almost as much work as making the art. You have to build a custom container, one that protects the art while in transit. It’s not hard to do, but it does take effort.
Good luck to you!
Hi Dan, Jesús from México. First of all let me thank you for sharing your gift to all of us, your work is just amazing.
Me and my girlfriend just bought one of your books and we are going to start with a new project. Hopefully it will be half as perfect as yours.
Hugs from México
Hello Jesus. Nice to meet you! Good luck with your project. You will love what you make, trust me. There is no reason to compare to mine. Have fun!
Hi Dan,
I hope my english is better then i thought because i am a little bit out of practice 😀
First of all i just wanna say Thank you very much for your Awesome Art you share with us. I have wrote this in an email with pictures because i dont have seen this comment function here 😀 . I Love your Art specialy the Dragons im a great Dragon friend too . They fascinate me since my childhood 🙂 thanks to you i can now make my own Dragons 😀 .
Greetings from Berlin Germany 🙂
Thank you for sharing those photos with me Thomas. I am happy that you are enjoying this art form! Good luck on your next project!
bonjour je suis francais et je souhaiterais acheter vos livres mai sont-il en francais ?
Je suis désolé mais mes livres sont en anglais seulement.
Hi, i would like to decorate my ‘steampunk’ goggles with scales, but i was wondering. if i use the same technique with the old cloth , would it stick to the plastic or is there a better way.
thank you, greetings from Belgium 🙂
Hello Fien. White glue is not designed to stick to plastic. But it might stick well enough if there wasn’t any flexing. You might want to experiment a little first.
Good luck!
Hello Dan, I just found your site and a flood of creative memories starting coming back from my days of paper mache sculpting as a child. I had completely forgotten the medium and how much I enjoyed being able to create anything that came to mind-truly an artist’s dream! I had no idea that such large creations could be supported relatively easily since the medium is so light-weight, now that I know that, it makes perfect sense of course! I vividly remember creating a large hermit-crab for a diarama in fourth grade and that it turned out quite well! I wonder if my mother still has it up in her attic somewhere, she was always very supportive of my artwork and saved quite a bit of it. I’m going to have to find out if it’s still around!
I don’t mean to ramble on, I just really wanted to let you know that your work has truly inspired me and that I’ve already purchased your Paper Mache Dragons book. I can’t wait to give this medium a another chance especially with some of the new techniques that I am finding through the wonderful resource that is the internet!
Thank you!
-Alex
Hi Alex. Nice to meet you! I’m glad you found the site as well. This is a great medium. I think you will have some fun. Good luck!
Hi, I found this site through a friend sending me a video of yours on a dragon head you made. I think what you make is pretty cool and I’m honestly wanting to try it out myself. I draw mostly but I’ve recently gotten into model building. Do you have any tips for someone wanting to start making paper mache?
Hello Ninette. The only advice I can give is to start. It’s all about just doing the work. You learn as you make things. Often I tell people to make a monster first. You are guaranteed success that way and you learn the techniques. But many people make dragons. Just make something.
Good luck
I’m a middle school art teacher and would love to do this with my students! What would you recommend for me as far as tutorials and supplies?
Hello Jackie. I would get my “Paper Mache Monsters” book. It is basically a tutorial. good luck!
http://gourmetpapermache.com/about-my-books/
Hi,
Im a big fan of your work. I’m making a trophy and I’ve been wracking my brain about how to attach the neck to the plaque. I’d love to know how you attach yours. Thanks.
Sincerely,
Daniel
Hello Daniel. I drill holes in the plaque and run pieces of clothes hanger through them. Then sculpt over the wire and attach the wire to the back of the board. You can see a bit of this in this video. https://youtu.be/_37uwY2njss
Hola quiero felicitarle por todos sus trabajos verdaderamente hermosos los cuales son impresionantes, soy un seguidor de usted, desde Ecuador Sud América…por favor si es posible quisiera que me respondiera algunas inquietudes que tengo; 1.- quisiera saber cómo construye los dientes y colmillos que materiales utiliza para la masa , 2.- quisiera saber que mescla es el pegamento que utiliza los materiales, 3.- por ultimo quisiera conocer la última capa que les coloca sus creaciones es papel o que material es, porque me da la impresión que es algún tipo de tela….. esperando su pronta respuesta y reintegrándole mis sinceras felicitaciones , agradeciendo que este correo tenga respuesta hasta una próxima oportunidad atentamente patoalban
Hola Patricio. Gracias por los cumplidos. Yo uso un traductor, así que espero que entiendo sus preguntas. En primer lugar, yo hago los dientes fuera de la arcilla polimérica. Las marcas incluyen Fimo y Sculpy. En segundo lugar, utilizo cola blanca con un paño. Todo es pegamento propósito como utilizan en la escuela primaria. En tercer lugar, sí, la “piel” final es tela (sábanas viejas) sumergido en el pegamento blanco. ¡Buena suerte!
Dan
Quiero agradécele por la respuestas a mis inquietudes, comentarle también que me gusta hacer mascaras de con figuras de dragones, su técnica me llamo mucho la atención me encanta y me parece impresionante, pero todavía tengo dudas sobre los materiales que usted utiliza; 1.- quisiera saber por favor cual el proceso que realiza para la obtención de la masa para fabricar los dientes, colmillos y cuernos, es decir que materiales, las proporciones de cada producto y si al final son horneadas ; 2.- otra inquietud que tengo es si Usted fabrica los ojos, si es positiva la respuesta por favor indicarme el procedimiento para la creación de los ojos. Finalmente quiero reiterarle mi agradecimiento por tomarse su valioso tiempo para responderme…….también quiero invitarle a que ingrese YouTube entre a la diablada Pìllareña y mire el folclor de nuestra pueblo, la misma que realiza del 1 al 6 de enero de cada año, porque yo fabrico este tipo de máscaras que Usted observara en el video, por lo que con su técnica quiero innovar y mejorar la creaciòn de las mascaras……le envio un link para que Usted mire https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lIykSPL-Sc……..Gracias y hasta una proxima oportunidad..
Hola de nuevo. Hago los dientes y garras de arcilla polimérica, Fimo o Sculpy. Hornear en el horno. Yo compro los ojos que uso de las empresas de taxidermia. Hay varios en línea. Me gustan porque son de vidrio. Me encantan las máscaras y la tradición de papel maché en México. Gracias por compartir el video que. Buena suerte con sus máscaras.
Hola, muchas gracias por dar respuesta a mis preguntas, una aclaración el baile de máscaras que Usted observo no son de México, sino de un pequeño pueblo denominado Pìllaro, en Ecuador Sud-América, y si Usted viene de turismo a Ecuador, le invito que visite mi pueblo del 1 al 6 de enero de todos los años, para que observe nuestro baile de máscaras tradicional, hasta una próxima oportunidad muy agradecido……..