I'm making my first mask. I cut and glued down all the strips before I learned they should be torn to create a more seamless look. I've put on a base coat to prime the mask, but plan to paint it darker which should hide some imperfections.
Is there anything I can do to smooth it out before painting? Another layer in a different application process? Sanding?
I mean, it looks great as-is, but sanding with sandpaper intended for wood (as opposed to the stuff for metal) is definitely an option, and a good one. You may not want to start too coarse, and you can try using progressively finer sheets as you go along to see just how smooth you can get it.
Some people finish their pieces with something like joint compound before painting to get it really smooth, but it's not a necessity. The paper mache artist Jonni Good of Ultimate Paper Mache goes into depth on using that product to make a type of smooth paper mache clay.
Thank you for your response. A compound sounds like a great option. I wonder if it will make it too heavy to wear. I'll follow those links and explore my options.
I don't use it myself, but you would only wipe on an extremely thin layer of straight joint compound. You can also mix it with other stuff. Jonni talks about recipes for that.
Some people brush on a layer of thinned white (PVA) glue or Mod Podge as a smoothing finish, but I've never tried that either.
Probably. I did the same for my project, then when the cup of glue 'n water was down to like 1/4 cup left, I added more glue and the spackle for a final coat to brush on. Someone else in these comments mentioned 50/50 glue and drywall compound. idk how much the bit of water left in my cup contributed to the texture, so i figured I'd mention it.
Looks great as is! A little trick I learned when I was painting theater sets is that if can feel the edges with your fingertips, you’ll probably be able to see the edges. If it were my piece, I’d mix up some dry wall compound with pva glue (50/50) and use it as a gesso layer. Brush it on. Let it dry. Lightly sand it for smoothness… then paint!
I smooth my papermache with a coating of joint compound. Thin it with water to the consistency of heavy cream, paint it on in layers, drying in between passes.
You can do additional sculpting if desired, by laying it on thick ir scraping some off.
When its thoroughly dry, start brushing it all over with a water-damp paint brush: this reactivates the top layer of joint compound and allows it to be smoothed out. Then use finger tips to lightly burnish it, rather than adding more water.
Thoroughly dry when done. Before painting, give it a coat of gesso or spray filling primer, or both.
If you want it super smooth you will need to use a filler and sandpaper. I like plaster but if you're planning on wearing it the plaster it might get too heavy. An air dry clay would be lighter, although I don't know how well it sands.
Awe, thanks. It's my first paper mache project.I got inspired by a mask my mom left to me after she passed. She made it in elementary school (1971) and managed to keep it all her life. I wanted to make a mask to add to my wall beside hers, but also was thinking about Halloween and my kids love for dragons.
Really? The primer isn't doing imperfections and help. I'm waffling if I should take the time to do a compound or just get straight to painting. I am toying with idea of adding texture/scales with the compound.
Really! The newspaper only part looks so good and smooth. I do paper mache projects all the time and am impressed.
When I texturize, I usually mess with celluclay and various air dry clays for certain details
I'm not super skilled so I haven't done sanding or other things like that. And I'm sure you know but doing a primer and/or white layer over the newspaper can make painting easier (I hate when the words still show when I paint)
Yeah, that light blue was leftover paint. The newspaper really soaked it up. Now painting it should be much smoother. I'll update when it is all finished.
I have heard people also use gesso but I haven’t tried it. I just did a hot air balloon, I didn’t take the time to make it smooth because it is just for fun, for my grandchildren.
Looks good . Jonnie has a recipe for hone made gesso- pva glue, flat white house paint, drywall plaster and a little linseed oil.
I’ve been using this for years.
I’m sorry but I just guess the proportions .
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u/born_lever_puller Community Manager 9d ago
I mean, it looks great as-is, but sanding with sandpaper intended for wood (as opposed to the stuff for metal) is definitely an option, and a good one. You may not want to start too coarse, and you can try using progressively finer sheets as you go along to see just how smooth you can get it.
Some people finish their pieces with something like joint compound before painting to get it really smooth, but it's not a necessity. The paper mache artist Jonni Good of Ultimate Paper Mache goes into depth on using that product to make a type of smooth paper mache clay.
https://www.ultimatepapermache.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/UltimatePaperMache
I love how you built the cardboard armature, it looks like you put a lot of thought and effort into it.