Easy Paper Mache Clay Recipe

[jbpitcher]

could you use dissolved salt instead of bleach to keep it from spoiling?

[UltimatePaperMache]

@jbpitcher Maybe. I've never tried either one. I live in the desert, so I don't worry about mold.

[shareyah8]

Great video, and thanks for sharing! 1 question, though... is the join compound safe to have your hands in for the amount of time it takes to sculpt? Is there a possible toxicity issue? I would love to try this :)

[UltimatePaperMache]

@shareyah8 I don't usually get my hands in it, since it's so much easier to spread with a knife. The toxic part is the dust, since it doesn't belong in your lungs. That's easy to take care of, by wearing a mask when you sand. If you like playing with it with your fingers, the calcium carbonate might dry out your skin, and if that happens you'd want to use some gloves. And, of course, you don't want to eat the stuff.

[UltimatePaperMache]

@UltimatePaperMache The linseed oil, however, does have chemicals in it. If you're working with kids, or if your concerned about the chemicals, I recommend that you leave it out, or replace it with glycerine.

[UltimatePaperMache]

@UltimatePaperMache The linseed oil, however, does have chemicals in it. If you're working with kids, or if your concerned about the chemicals, I recommend that you leave it out, or replace it with glycerine.

[TheKaileykins]

I'm so excited to use this recipe! but i watched another video with almost the exact recipe but they used 1 roll with the 3/4 cups of glue and compound. How will this effect the mixture? have you tried different ratios?

[UltimatePaperMache]

@TheKaileykins Yes, you can change the ratios if you want. This isn't a science experiment, so feel free to play around with the recipe until you find one you like. I obviously like the recipe shown in my video, but there's always room for variation and innovation. With paper mache, there are no rules. ;)

[vers260]

Instead of toilet paper can i use normal paper like the one people use when printing?

[UltimatePaperMache]

@vers260 It will work if you can soak the paper long enough so it falls apart into fibers. One of my blog readers says it helps if you put the well-soaked paper in a powerful blender, but I haven't tried it. It isn't as easy or fast as toilet paper, but you may get useful results if you experiment a little.

[lephyduex]

THANK YOU! I'm working on my son's Halloween costume and had no clue as to how to smooth out his paper mache mask, giving it a finished look. This will work perfectly.

[Chimchimtheomni]

This is great, thanks! I plan on making my halloween costume outta this.

[bleaupearls]

When you dry in the oven at 200 degrees, how long??

[UltimatePaperMache]

@bleaupearls Until the piece is dry all the way through. I don't usually dry things in the oven, unless I really need to speed things up. The heated glue and joint compound don't smell very good/

[bleaupearls]

@UltimatePaperMache Thanks so much.

[SDAG]

When the clay dries, can it be sanded?

[UltimatePaperMache]

@SDAG Yes.

[erickav808]

is paper mache clay mostly used for big projects? would it be ok to use for tiny things like charms?

[JonniG00d]

@erickav808 It might work. It's very hard when it dries, so it may be worth experimenting with.

[stevensonmetal]

what kind of joint compound should i use 

[UltimatePaperMache]

@stevensonmetal I use the pre-mixed regular joint compound, any brand except Dap. Sheetrock brand joint compound works well.

[stevensonmetal]

@UltimatePaperMache ok thanks just got back before i seen your comment i did buy sheetrock all purpose joint compound i hope thats a good one to use

[jackyboycane]

Can yo do it without joint compound ??

[UltimatePaperMache]

@jackyboycane It would be a little like making brownies without chocolate. You can try it, but I have no idea what your results will be. Go ahead and experiment, and let us know what happens.

[XQavvsome]

umm when will this eventually dry?

ive set it out on the sun for more 8 hours and its still wet



[UltimatePaperMache]

@XQavvsome You must be patient. All forms of paper mache take a long time to dry. Give it two or three days to make sure it's dry all the way through.

[Adolfo1111]

This recipe is great, but I have a question, can I use newspaper in pieces instead of toilet paper?? Greetings!

[UltimatePaperMache]

@Adolfo1111 Yes, you can, but you'll need to take more time to soak it in hot water to break it down into pulp. Many people do this, and it works just fine - and it's cheaper, too.

[DorkMuffinz]

Oh thank you ^_^ I would love to try this with my mum (: and could you use just the paste to make things with?

[UltimatePaperMache]

@DorkMuffinz Sure - you can make really nice things with paper strips and paste. You can see a lot of tutorials for doing that on my blog - UltimatePaperMache

[DorkMuffinz]

Do you have to use an electric beater? I don't have one e.e

[UltimatePaperMache]

@DorkMuffinz I think it may be possible to use your hands to mix the ingredients. Be sure to use rubber gloves if you do that, because the boiled linseed oil does contain chemicals to make it dry faster. That's why I use a knife to apply the clay to my armatures.

[lakliams]

hi can this clay be modified after it is dry? maybe with a blade or something like that??

[UltimatePaperMache]

@lakliams Yes, it can be cut and sanded, but it's harder than wood. Experiment with it before doing something big to see if you like it.

[AaronShaunBrennan]

Hi! Important question?! I bought everything you listed for the recipe except the Linseed oil. Can I use vegitable oil instead? If not can you just omite it even or is the linseed oil a must? What does the linseed oil to to the mixture? I just ask because I have to walk an extra 15 blocks to get the oil. If I gotta get it I understand. Thank you for all your help and time! Love your videos. Sorry about the spelling my spell check is off. (:

[UltimatePaperMache]

@AaronShaunBrennan You can leave the oil out. Don't substitute veggie oil, though - the linseed oil dries, but regular oil won't. It makes the clay have a slightly different feel when it's spread on the armature, but it works just fine without it.

[AaronShaunBrennan]

@UltimatePaperMache Your amazing!!! Thank you so much for all your help! God graced you with a gift and it is a blessing to us all because you share it with everyone. (: Great videos!

[gunsntulips]

i'm gonna have to try this! question: once dry, can this be sanded into a very smooth surface?

[UltimatePaperMache]

@gunsntulips Yes, it can be sanded.

[gunsntulips]

@UltimatePaperMache that was a fast response! thank you!

[liondoghound]

I recently tried this and was very happy with the strength of the material. It took about a week to dry and it came out great. It was kind of tricky to use when I needed to create points and edges, but I managed to get done what I needed and it should last a long time too. I like it better than clay and it's was more affordable.

[DawnNoir]

22 appreciative people and one paste eater.

[yoshiboshii]

Hi, I'm glad for your videos and website. They have been very useful for me. I just got into paper mache and I am not so knowledgeable on it, but I plan to go much further with it. I have yet to make major sculptures, but when I do I have a question. You mentioned in the video that you dry them in the oven at 200 degrees. Is this necessary or can I simply air dry them?

[UltimatePaperMache]

@yoshiboshii Yes, you can certainly air dry them. That's what I usually do.

[luckiezz802]

I have to make a snake like figure for school and I decided to go with this. Does the clay crack? And will it happen to be fragile after 1 week-2weeks or give off a strong smell?

[vladimirmoskov]

This is an awesome idea, looks much easier to use than regular paper mâché. If I were to do something I with this with very little detail, could I put traditional paper mache over it to make it smoother and/or stronger?

[UltimatePaperMache]

@vladimirmoskov You can put paper strips and paste over it if you want to. However, the clay itself is remarkably strong. I suggest that you do an experiment to see if any additional reinforcement is needed.

[budddy8me]

i have to make a model of the female reproductive system(yuck i know) how much of these ingredients do you recomend btw how long does it last

[UltimatePaperMache]

@budddy8me Umm... I don't think the female reproductive system is yucky. But as for the ingredients, if you're making the paper mache clay, you'll need to use them all. The possible exception is the linseed oil, which makes the clay nicer to use but it isn't necessary. The dried clay should last for many years, but the wet material will mold if you don't use it up within a week.

[budddy8me]

i have to make a model of the female reproductive system(yuck i know) how much of these ingredients do you recomend

[morrestuff]

Thanks for answering Qs quickly, we will be using this tomorrow to create 3d versions of our art work. Got the linseed oil ;-)

Many thanks

[samtheartman89]

your an expert on mache and all that crap : D

[rrleonc689]

Have you used plaster of paris instead of this compound before, and if so what are the differences between the 2?

[UltimatePaperMache]

@rrleonc689 Plaster gets hard within a few minutes, by chemical reaction. Joint compound only gets hard when it dries, so you have much more time to work. Some people do use plaster and glue to make a type of home-made gesso, but I think the joint compound is a much easier choice - unless you work really, really fast.

[versatilechicken]

when it hardens will it break if i drop it or hit it with something?

[UltimatePaperMache]

@versatilechicken yes, you can break it if you try hard enough. But why would you want to?

[versatilechicken]

@UltimatePaperMache i just want to know how strong theclay is =)

[JaiQuetzalcoatl]

is there anything that i could use instead of joint compound?... thanks a lot, your website is just great

[JaiQuetzalcoatl]

is there anything that i could use instead of joint compound?... thanks a lot, your website is just great

[snoopy449]

Lets say i made a mask but now it needs detail as in forming like cheek bones and stuff like that.....after forming it ...can you sand it down to smooth it out, like if it was ceramic or something?

[UltimatePaperMache]

@snoopy449 More like if it was wood. You can sand or carve it, or you can add more details with another layer of paper mache clay, either in certain spots, like eyebrows and noses, or over the whole piece to add texture. See my website for more ideas, UltimatePaperMache

[snoopy449]

@UltimatePaperMache oh ok thank you n_n ...cause i would rather make my mask than pay 400 dollars to get it lol

[mistymartini]

how long does this last for ? i dont mean the end product i mean the mixture :)

[mistymartini]

can you tell me how long it lasts? i mean can i make up a load in advance or has it got a shelf life? oh and i ended up buying the normal compound lol

[unclejackbassmaster]

quick question i am making a mask for halloween and i was wondering if i could use it to put on my face then when dry pull of .is it possible that i can do this? if so is the oil optional?

[UltimatePaperMache]

@unclejackbassmaster No, I don't recommend that you do that. The products in the clay are made for the construction trade, and it isn't a good idea to enclose your skin with them for the 24 to 48 hours it would take for it to dry hard enough to remove. An alternative idea is make a mold of your face, carefully, with aluminum foil, and then pad it with rags or soft paper so it keeps its shape. Then put your clay over that, and remove the backing when it's done. The oil is optional.

[unclejackbassmaster]

@UltimatePaperMache ok thank you so much your videos are very helpfull

[mistymartini]

can you use Potable Water Jointing Compound/? its just that one is cheaper

[UltimatePaperMache]

@mistymartini I'm not familiar with that brand. If it's premixed, rather than a powder, it may work. Buy a small amount, and give it a try.

[jil4672]

would this work if i use toilet paper water and flour only thanks :)

[UltimatePaperMache]

@jil4672 I don't know. The joint compound helps make it easy to spread on the armature, and I think it adds strength and makes it dry faster. But try it your way and let us know how it turns out.

[brodieproductions]

@UltimatePaperMache I bought spackling compound does that work?? Thnks

[UltimatePaperMache]

@brodieproductions I don't know - I've never tried it. If you do an experiment, let us know how it turns out.

[brodieproductions]

@UltimatePaperMache one last question I went to home depot and bought spackling compound would that work??? Thanks(:

[brodieproductions]

@UltimatePaperMache thank you very much for this tutorial im just wondering would this stuff stick to paper mache??

[UltimatePaperMache]

@brodieproductions Yes, it should stick to paper mache. You would want to do a small test piece first, just to make sure it works the way you need it to. If you experiment a bit, you won't run into any surprises.

[jillybean190]

does this clay dry hard? and do you put it in the oven or does it air dry? also, can you hot glue it to something? and you can paint on it right?

[UltimatePaperMache]

@jillybean190 Yes, it dries hard. It air dries in several days, and if you have two pieces you can glue them together. And you can paint it. All the details are on my website, with photos of projects created by myself and my readers. Come on over and have a look.

[jillybean190]

@UltimatePaperMache oh my god thank you, youre so helpful! :D ok i'll have a look later...im goin to the mall XD

[WiseOldHowler]

i live in toronto, i want to know why do we need to use linseed oil plus where do you buy joint compound? is it in home hardware and how much does it cost?

[UltimatePaperMache]

The clay will work without the linseed oil, it just won't feel quite the same when you're using it. Feel free to leave it out. The joint compound is called Drywall Filler in Canada.

[UltimatePaperMache]

@WiseOldHowler You don't have to use linseed oil if you don't want to. It does improve the way the clay feels when working with it, but the clay will work just fine without it. In Canada the joint compound is called "drywall filler," and you get it at the hardware store. You can get a gallon here in my town for about $6 US, enough for many projects.

[LabMama1]

Excellent tutorial, very clear and easy to follow. I will definitely try this. It looks like it holds a much better detail than the Celluclay I bought for a pretty penny at a craft store. Thanks!

[TheItybity]

great video and information!