Papier Mache human form

[laura]

So.. I was searching high and low for a nice bust to display/photograph my necklaces. Human-imitation mannequins are ugly, and abstract half-face are either not life size, or the cost of shipping alone goes over 50USD..

Should probably make my own -at least I'll know exactly why it's ugly ;D

I figured that if I take part of this tutorial
www.threadsmagazine.com/item/3630/duct-tape-dress-form-1

and part of this one
tabmade.blogspot.com/2009/06/paper-macheing-bust.html

I could attempt to clone myself. I've never ever done papier mache, so any and all advice is much appreciated!

I think bust/neck/shoulders should be pretty straightforward to do, but I'd love to have something resembling ears too.. no tutorials on that.. finding only elephants and terriers..

[Tela]

Looks like a very interesting project. I did papier mache a lot when I was a kid. I've done a few things since. What I did was use heavy craft paper torn into large pieces and glued, overlapping, onto a surface. When it is clear coated, it looks like rock. I would mention there are two kinds of papier mache- mash and strip. I think you use strip first and cover that with mash for a finer finish.

Keep us up to date or blog about it. It should be interesting

[laura]

I already have the duct tape thing, pictures tomorrow Looks nice!
Fast and easy, the only problem was my perfectionist other half who was very unhappy about how the thing was shaping up (he's generally very nervous and I guess afraid to ruin things when doing something new and for the first time.. an awful trait if you ask me).

Now I'm thinking how to stick anything on to the duct tape surface.. have to try first, but now it seems that anything would just slide off.. Hmmm... maybe I need a layer of masking tape? It's sticky and it's paper.

Tela - do you use wallpaper glue or the traditional flour paste?

I've bought ivory acrylic paint for the finishing - do I still need to seal it somehow? If this thing turns out nice I'm thinking of maybe using it outside in a craft show.

Alternative finishing - I've also thought about covering it with fabric but I don't want it to look like a mummy...

I've never ever done anything remotely similar, I've even never used acrylic paint.. So there's a lot of questions

[Tela]

I think masking tape will be better. As I recall, I used thinned white glue (elmer's). I suppose you could use wallpaper paste, but I haven't used it before. Acrylic paint is easy to use and is water based. I would use a sealer first, though. But, I'm a big fan of sealing.

[wirewrangler]

I got a real giggle thinking about this, thanks, Laura.
The most memorable mache project for me was a 12 foot sphere, the point of the whole thing escapes me now.
If I could interject an opinion here, maybe save you some messy cleanup?
Remember that whatever you use for shooting your shots is magnified many many times and therefore any imperfection will appear cavernous.
One of the more interesting forms that I have ever seen was a replica Greek sculpture. The jewelry look fabulous and the sculpture (wish I had kept a copy) was minimal enough not to detract.
Good Luck
WW

[laura]

12 foot sphere!?? That makes what.. 3.6 meters... WOW ;D Did you finish it?

Imperfections.. well, depends on how you shoot - I like narrow DOF, so that pretty much masks any imperfections outside of the focus zone, and I can do some photoshop to correct others. And I'm not planning to use it for macro shots, so that also solves the problem. (unless the other me turns out perfect) shooting necklaces on my clone friend would be for "technical" purpose - mainly to show the length and how it looks on a human form.
Anyway you are right about magnification, that's why I cannot decide if I should use just paper+paint or fabric+paint. Fabric will give some texture and I won't be able to lay it really smoothly, and fabric texture often is very distracting... But I'm going to paint it.. so that will hide the fabric.. And it may look interesting.. Have to try and see what happens

I've seen Greek sculptures.. you mean something like this one?
www.thisnext.com/item/A2BEE8CF/Decorative-Bust

And there's also tutorial how to make a flat 2D one (flat sculpture ;D )
www.designsponge.com/2010/02/diy-project-jewelry-bust.html

And I like these, but they have only half the neck so that makes the necklace appear longer. But as display they are awesome:
www.bodyscape.net.nz/images/castings/jewellery/jewellery%20display%20stand%2007.JPG

www.bodyscape.net.nz/jewellry.htm

Tela - so I have to seal the thing before applying paint? I was thinking it goes the other way round - first apply/dry all layers and then seal the whole finished thing.. And what do I use for sealing stuff?

I'm planning to first use masking tape for a better surface to glue on, then strips of papier mache, then mash of papier mache, then sanding, then painting, then sealing (if I figure out what to use for that). This will take forever.

But first of all I need to stuff myself and close all the holes from the missing body parts - head, arms, and the whole lower part..

[wirewrangler]

More like the latter two: bodyscapes, lots of movement and beautiful lines.

That sphere was part of a corporate installation, needed impact without the weight or the cost.

While you are awaiting Tala 's answer, you need some kind of glassy release substance so that the Mache can be pulled away from the form. Even duct tape will have little grooves to which the Mache can cling. Once it is completely dry, yes, another sealing before whatever goes on top.

I really do like the body cast idea.
Good Luck!
WW

[laura]

I'm not removing the top layer, it all will all be one piece that can stand on it's own. And I don't want to achieve a smooth "plastic" look, I imagine it more like this: www.etsy.com/listing/35077703/

Now I have something that looks similar to that (just need to stuff it):
0.tqn.com/d/diyfashion/1/0/a/R/-/-/duct_tape_dummy_10.jpg

This was easy. But the finishing layer switches me to a panic mode.

Today I've bought masking tape, PVA glue and "silky mat" varnish by Pelikan (craft supplies, water based).

Here's varnish www.pelikan.com/pulse/Pulsar/en_US_INTL.Store.displayStore.36808./plaka-clear-varnish - is this the right stuff to put over (under?) acrylic paint?

Sorry, when it comes to paper crafts/glue/paints/varnishes, I'm dummier than the dummy I'm making...

[Tela]

Sorry I'm a little slow- I'm sick as a dog right now and not thinking too quickly...

I would seal after the final layer of paper of before paint. The sealer will help prevent it soaking up so much paint.

I like the etsy figures you linked to. That's what I imagined you were after. I like the texture- not too much and irregular. I used to paint on surfaces that I made just like that. (Haven't done any painting in a while, though.)

[laura]

I'm sorry to hear you are not feeling well

Thanks for telling me WHY I should seal the paper before painting. That makes sense

Here's a sneak peak Almost finished stuffing myself

[laura]

I look fat :/

[Tela]

Great start!! I had a store bust once- I mentioned it before. I never liked to use it because of the glare. Maybe I'll TRY to get it back from my daughter and papeir mache it. I doubt it will happen, though. I need a smaller one, anyway.

[Tela]

How's it going?? Inquiring minds have to know

[laura]

Did two more layers today - covered her with masking tape and glued white paper pieces all over, finished by smearing leftover glue on top. Left to dry. Will it be good to work by Sunday?

You know, it looks usable already. Don't want to share too many pics - saving them for the blog

I think I won't use the varnish before paint - you said it's to stop the thing from absorbing too much paint, but my friend there is not a real papier mache, she has a waterproof duct tape under quite thin layer of paper.. (but really I just want to save that varnish.. the bottle is so small)

[caeterle]

That looks really interesting! I can't wait to see the results.

About paper macheing a ready made bust ... a friend of mine once got a human body model from the school she's working at, a boy with removable organs. She turned it into a beautiful female bust. She took us through the whole process and we had lots of giggles!

[laura]

I'll probably be slow with describing the whole thing (will try this weekend), but I already have some first shots on Etsy - e.g. here www.etsy.com/listing/92220479/ (the last picture)
or a closer look here www.etsy.com/listing/87068807/

It's very very far from perfect, the pics are not great too, but I just felt the urge to give some sense of how large/long the pendant necklaces are asap

Let's put it this way - it's better than nothing. I hope

[las]

It looks great to me. The first thing I noticed is the immediate sense of scale I got for your necklace. ( Very nice BTW) and It did not distract my eye from your work at all.
I think its doing its job nicely. Do you have a nic name for "her" yet ?
Lee-Ann

[Tela]

Laura! I really, really like the bust!! You did a fabulous job ;D It has just the right amount of texture. It photographs real well, too.

[glenda]

Well done Laura your hard work paid off!! Your necklace is awesome by the way!

..................................and now I feel the burning desire to make one!! I NEED more time! ha ha
x