Making papier mache mouldings for a puppet head from a plaster mould

[lalafumble]

Great video. You are very clever! Thanks :)

[rosemarybeetle]

@lalafumble

Hi. thanks for the kind words. Glad you liked it!

[rosemarybeetle]

I have a puppet making group over on Flickr if you have still images of anythign you do that you have shots of. The url is here (you need to add the 3 w's!)

flickr.com/groups/1430656@N25/­'

[rosemarybeetle]

I also find that it really depends on how detailed the model needs to be. Cling film is great on big moulds. You can tape it on with sellotape. Shrink wrap and a hot air dryer will work on external moulds where you papier mache directly over the model, rather than inside a mould of a model this was done like that

flickr.com/photos/rosemarybeet­le/4016028243/

[cardboardgiraffe29]

doesn't the vaseline ever cause problems? Does it dry out or what? What other release agents can you recommend besides tin foil and cling film?

I have been using wet paper with watered-down glue to take the contours of the mold without it all sticking too much. Then I build up layers (once dry) using a much stronger and less watery glue.

[rosemarybeetle]

@cardboardgiraffe29 Hi. No, I have never had any problems with Vaseline. It certainly has never dried out. Cling film might work OK, but foil sounds less less likely to work.

Another way I have heard of, but never tried, is to wax coat the mould. This involves heating wax and pouring round the mould until coated very thinly. This is then left to cool. After that, just papier mache inside the wax. To releas, the hardened p. Mache should ease out, but if not, warm the mould to soften the wax

[wobblydog]

@rosemarybeetle Another way you can do it is by first sealing the plaster mold with shellac / enamel varnish / button polish. this is a non water based varnish that permanently seals the plaster and toughens it slightly you can then use vaseline as well on top of this or any petroleum jelly or silicon mold release but you would not need as much as it would not soak into the plaster. Too much mold release can also be a problem because it then gets in the paper layers and stops them sticking.

[wobblydog]

@cardboardgiraffe29 if your having problems with sticking remember the first layer should not have any glue on the layer that comes into contact with the mold, only paste one side of the paper, subsequent layers you paste both sides. Also look for undercuts in the mold which might be stopping the cast coming out easily. usually if left long enough the papier mache shrinks slightly, I would never use foil or cling film as it stops the drying process and warps the molding

[cardboardgiraffe29]

@wobblydog i agree with all the above. to take my mould shape, i've been using wet kitchen paper. works a dream. build up a few wet layers and let it set/dry, then i start adding my paper with neat pva glue. works a charm!

[rosemarybeetle]

@cardboardgiraffe29 @wobblydog

Dear Both,

these are useful tips - thanks. I have tried a similar method of using vaseline to stick in soft kitchen towels, then papier macheing over that. You need to be careful for the first layer or two, and allow it to dry before building up more.

[rosemarybeetle]

Hi,

In thickness, probably only 3 layers thick. I tend to do it in two passes. Firstly I completely fill the mould especially into the crannie/details, but ensuring all white areas of the mould are covered. Once that is dry, I have another pass which gives it thickness. The usual areas to watch out for are on the corners of recesses, where it can need building up. If in doubt, do it in three pases, and use a different color paper in the middle one. That allows you to see if you missed a bit

[spewick]

Hey How Many Layers Of Papier mache did you use?

Thanks