Traditionally, papier-mâché has been used to make masks. Material created from improvised means takes absolutely any form. Papier-mache in the interior began to be used recently. The material was associated only with children's creativity and the creation of fakes, but you can make an author bas-relief, a three-dimensional panel, an exclusive vase and even artificial brick or stone from “wet paper”. Papier-mâché décor is easy to create, but it also has incredible hardness and durability. Unlike glazed ones, such jewelry will not break, but it is better to keep silent about how much quality imitations of natural stone cost. Let's take a closer look at several papier-mâché workshops and be inspired by the creative ideas of other decorators.
The name papier-mâché is translated from French as “chewing paper”. Although the exquisite name for the original modeling dough was actually invented in France, China was its real homeland. Even in ancient times, when paper was invented here, in parallel, they developed a simple way to create a special material that was malleable at work but had durability after drying. Papier-mâché added rigidity by applying several layers of varnish to the finished product. The Chinese preferred to create combat helmets from paper pulp, which really well protected the heads, and even the elements of armor. It would seem that it could be dumber than trusting your life with soaked and glued paper, but ammunition was popular. Arrows did not pierce it, and the sliding blows of swords could not be feared at all. In addition, papier-mâché, compared with metal uniforms, was light, like a feather, which allowed Chinese soldiers to move with greater speed and dexterity.
The following relay race took over the Japanese. Having obtained the papier-mâché recipe, they adapted it to their own culture, creating original decorations for holidays and traditional ceremonies for this country - masks from paper dough. Products were polished with skins to a wax shine and covered with additional protective layers, painted. The result was a gorgeous and easy to manufacture decoration. From Japan, the papier-mâché recipe went to Europe, where the French called it by its famous name, and the British improved it. Someone John Baskerville, a former printer, opened papier-mâché decor. At first, he used Japanese models, and then began to introduce his ideas.Plates, caskets, figures of people and animals, decorative masks and even watches were unprecedentedly popular. Assistant decorator Henry Clay conducted experiments with compositions, trying to find an original recipe that will gain even greater strength. And, ultimately, he succeeded. He dried the soaked mass in the manner of clay under the influence of high temperatures, and it turned out to be incredibly hard, not even inferior in strength to wood. Clay has patented his recipe.
Subsequently, several other papier-mâché jewelry manufacturing companies were opened, but “paper dough” eventually migrated into creativity and hobby. He was kneaded at home and made dolls for children, candy baskets, decorative saucers, vases, lacquered jewelry boxes. The material is especially popular as a cheap imitation of expensive surfaces: metal, wood, ceramics, stone. To give a resemblance to the original, it’s enough just to choose the right colors and create a genuine texture, which is easy to achieve by taking a mold from a real surface. The papier-mâché manufacturing technique came to Russia in the time of Peter I. When working with paper pulp, it should be borne in mind that the products shrink very much after drying. Volume loss can be up to 5-8%. Therefore, it is necessary to make decor deliberately larger in size, given this feature of mastic.
Papier-mâché products will last a long time if the average humidity level is maintained in the room. Constant “soaking” will greatly reduce the operational life of jewelry.
Manufacturing technique
As for the manufacturing technique, two main methods are used:
Mixing the mass in a container.
Overlay paper layers on the prepared mold.
The first option is suitable for those cases when the product will be sculpted with your hands or pour the mass inside the molds. The process itself is reminiscent of working with clay or clay.The second method is useful if molds are used that cannot be filled from the inside, but the master cannot repeat their shape. Usually we are talking about balls, that is, such products that are difficult to make perfect on their own.
Mass Recipes
Although the basis in any technique is paper, you can “cook” it in completely different ways using unusual additional ingredients. Depending on the formulation, chalk, rosin, flour, drying oil, gypsum, starch, paste and even crushed oatmeal are added to the formulations. Sometimes quite unusual components come into play, but we will consider two traditional recipes that are recommended to beginners by papier-mâché sculptors.
Recipe number 1
For the first recipe, you will need paper (toilet, office, newspaper), liquid soap, PVA glue, hot water and construction putty. Work begins with kneading the dough. About 8 rolls of toilet paper (this will be enough to get about 2 kg of the finished mass) are crushed and placed in a clean container. It is poured with hot water. The paper is allowed to "rest" for several hours. Now it is placed in gauze folded several times, fabric (not very dense) or a mosquito net. The mass is squeezed, but not dry. Then the paper is crushed again. For these purposes, use a mixer or blender. The result is a fibrous dough, in which add about 1 tbsp. a spoonful of soap (even the usual Fairy dishwashing detergent will do). Mixed. Now PVA glue is gradually poured into the mass. Add it in portions so that the composition is evenly mixed. There is no exact dosage of glue. Here, the master decides for himself how much thick papier-mâché he needs. After glue, 4-5 tbsp are added to the dough. spoons putty. The mass is once again kneaded. Papier-mâché is ready to use.
Recipe number 2
To prepare the composition for a different formulation, you will need:
0.5 kg of toilet paper.
0.5 kg of PVA glue.
2-3 tbsp. tablespoons of flax oil.
1.5 liters of warm water.
The paper is crushed and filled with water in a clean container. The future dough is left for a day. After the paper swells, it is placed in portions in gauze and squeezed. Now glue is added to the bowl. It should be divided into five parts and gradually poured into the pulp, each time thoroughly mixing. Now flax oil is added to the almost finished papier-mâché, which will make it possible to obtain more elastic products. The mass is mixed again and the dough from the modeling paper is ready.
Ideas for papier mache
Vases, small sculptures, bowls, chests, caskets, boxes, dolls are made from papier-mâché. Using paper pulp, you can create a bas-relief or three-dimensional panel on the wall. Pebbles, pebbles, bricks are molded from the material, which after painting differ from the real ones only in weight. Unusual decor is fixed on the walls, fireplaces, around door or arched openings. This option is ideal for budget repairs, if the designer has free time to work on the creation of numerous elements.
Vases
It is easiest to make vases by technology by overlaying pieces on a mold. Old or cracked ceramics, which you want to recreate again, can act as a basis. Newspaper sheets are crushed, moistened in glue and layered on a vase. After drying, the resulting product is cut in half, separated from the sample, and then re-bonded with wood glue. To get a round vase use a balloon. After the papier-mâché has solidified, it is pierced with a needle and removed through a small hole, which is also subsequently glued. The flexibility of the material allows you to create complex, delicate surfaces. Additionally, the decoration is decorated with eggshells, threads that form patterns, accessories, beads, buttons.
Wall decoration
In wall decoration, papier-mâché is used to create complex artistic compositions and to make cheap decorative finishes.In the first case, a plywood sheet is required, on which a drawing is applied. Then the paper-glue mass is bred, from which individual fragments of the picture are formed. After drying, the parts are glued to the base strictly along the contours of the drawing and painted. If you make enough effort, you can get fantastic panels with images of fairytale princesses and unreal creatures. This decoration is ideal for the interior of a children's room. The bedroom or living room is decorated with paintings depicting volumetric flowers, birds, animals, trees. The kitchen will look spectacular still life or embossed vine. To make bricks or stones from the material, forms are necessarily prepared. To do this, select a suitable sample (or rather a couple), place it in a container and fill it with gypsum. When you need to decorate a large section of the wall, several molds are used, since this will significantly accelerate the time-consuming stamping process. Instead of toilet paper, it is recommended to soak the egg trays. Alabaster must be added to the composition for greater strength. The products are well dried and fixed to the wall using wood glue. If you need a smooth surface, then artificial stones are sanded with sandpaper.
Unusual will look panels, where part of the picture is made of paints, and papier-mâché only accent details are decorated.
Decor and crafts
From papier-mâché you can make door handles or knockers, decorative wreaths that are additionally decorated with twigs, burlap, cones and ribbons. The material is often used to create caskets, pirate treasure chests, piggy banks, candlesticks and artificial fruits. In the latter case, it is better to sacrifice the original treat to create a form. By the way, papier-mâché after drying will be easier to separate from mold, if it is previously greased with petroleum jelly. Complex pulp is also made from paper pulp.For example, the product is a decorative hand, on the fingers of which bracelets and beads are hung. Stucco made of paper adorn the furniture. Papier-mâché curls are no worse than gypsum. The solar system of miniature planets that create using the same balloons will decorate the room of a young astronomer.
Masks for carnival and not only
Papier-mâché is considered a classic material for the manufacture of ceremonial and carnival masks. Of course, when working it is better to use the purchased sample, which is simply wrapped with pieces of paper smeared in glue. If the original is not at hand, you will have to use your own face. To do this, they cover it with a protective film (it is better to take food), then with several layers of napkins and only on top paste the mass. After all the outlines of the face are transferred to the blank of the mask, it is removed, and the edges are trimmed in places where there is surplus, and additional pieces of paper are applied to increase the thickness of the product. After this, papier-mâché is allowed to dry completely and harden. Then they cover with a layer of varnish, paint, glue glitter, pieces of foil, rhinestones and other small decor. The original decoration in the design of the room will be the head of the animal from papier-mâché: rhino, deer, wolf, lion. Similar elements are combined with a hunting style, safari, chalet.
You can quickly make New Year or Halloween decor from the material, when the deadlines are running out, and there is no time to run to the store: miniature pumpkins, Christmas trees, balls, bells, figures of symbolic animals (deer, teddy bears, bats, spiders).
Decorative dishes
Papier-mâché produces original plates, bowls, teapots, cups, bottles and glasses. Of course, you cannot use such dishes for their intended purpose, but the decor will turn out beautiful. From the same material, you can make a whole set for children's tea parties. A miniature teapot and a set of mugs will delight the girl.The thematic figures of the Hatter and the White Rabbit complete the ceremony. Plates after painting are placed on supports. Such ornaments are suitable for rustic, ethnic style, provence and country. To make dishes, use samples that are pasted with paper. The shape of the plate is not so easy to repeat. Decorative bowls can be used to store sweets or fruits. The decoration will withstand such a load, but it should be protected from contact with liquids.
Conclusion
Papier-mâché is a good example of the fact that even from the simplest ingredients, adding a bit of imagination to them, you can create something original, original and incredibly beautiful. Over the years, the recipe for paper dough has changed, new ingredients began to be added to it, but the two main components remained the same. Remember that it’s not enough just to create an anatomically correct shape, it also needs to be colored correctly by connecting the artist’s talents. Papier-mâché modeling can be a wonderful hobby for the whole family, in which adults will make “serious” decor, and children will make miniature figures or masks. The process of working with mass without molds develops fine motor skills of the hands, which is especially useful for the child.
Traditionally, papier-mâché has been used to make masks. Material created from improvised means takes absolutely any form. Papier-mache in the interior began to be used recently. The material was associated only with children's creativity and the creation of fakes, but you can make an author bas-relief, a three-dimensional panel, an exclusive vase and even artificial brick or stone from “wet paper”. Papier-mâché décor is easy to create, but it also has incredible hardness and durability. Unlike glazed ones, such jewelry will not break, but it is better to keep silent about how much quality imitations of natural stone cost. Let's take a closer look at several papier-mâché workshops and be inspired by the creative ideas of other decorators.
Content
Origin history
The name papier-mâché is translated from French as “chewing paper”. Although the exquisite name for the original modeling dough was actually invented in France, China was its real homeland. Even in ancient times, when paper was invented here, in parallel, they developed a simple way to create a special material that was malleable at work but had durability after drying. Papier-mâché added rigidity by applying several layers of varnish to the finished product. The Chinese preferred to create combat helmets from paper pulp, which really well protected the heads, and even the elements of armor. It would seem that it could be dumber than trusting your life with soaked and glued paper, but ammunition was popular. Arrows did not pierce it, and the sliding blows of swords could not be feared at all. In addition, papier-mâché, compared with metal uniforms, was light, like a feather, which allowed Chinese soldiers to move with greater speed and dexterity.
The following relay race took over the Japanese. Having obtained the papier-mâché recipe, they adapted it to their own culture, creating original decorations for holidays and traditional ceremonies for this country - masks from paper dough. Products were polished with skins to a wax shine and covered with additional protective layers, painted. The result was a gorgeous and easy to manufacture decoration. From Japan, the papier-mâché recipe went to Europe, where the French called it by its famous name, and the British improved it. Someone John Baskerville, a former printer, opened papier-mâché decor. At first, he used Japanese models, and then began to introduce his ideas.Plates, caskets, figures of people and animals, decorative masks and even watches were unprecedentedly popular. Assistant decorator Henry Clay conducted experiments with compositions, trying to find an original recipe that will gain even greater strength. And, ultimately, he succeeded. He dried the soaked mass in the manner of clay under the influence of high temperatures, and it turned out to be incredibly hard, not even inferior in strength to wood. Clay has patented his recipe.
Subsequently, several other papier-mâché jewelry manufacturing companies were opened, but “paper dough” eventually migrated into creativity and hobby. He was kneaded at home and made dolls for children, candy baskets, decorative saucers, vases, lacquered jewelry boxes. The material is especially popular as a cheap imitation of expensive surfaces: metal, wood, ceramics, stone. To give a resemblance to the original, it’s enough just to choose the right colors and create a genuine texture, which is easy to achieve by taking a mold from a real surface. The papier-mâché manufacturing technique came to Russia in the time of Peter I. When working with paper pulp, it should be borne in mind that the products shrink very much after drying. Volume loss can be up to 5-8%. Therefore, it is necessary to make decor deliberately larger in size, given this feature of mastic.
Manufacturing technique
As for the manufacturing technique, two main methods are used:
The first option is suitable for those cases when the product will be sculpted with your hands or pour the mass inside the molds. The process itself is reminiscent of working with clay or clay.The second method is useful if molds are used that cannot be filled from the inside, but the master cannot repeat their shape. Usually we are talking about balls, that is, such products that are difficult to make perfect on their own.
Mass Recipes
Although the basis in any technique is paper, you can “cook” it in completely different ways using unusual additional ingredients. Depending on the formulation, chalk, rosin, flour, drying oil, gypsum, starch, paste and even crushed oatmeal are added to the formulations. Sometimes quite unusual components come into play, but we will consider two traditional recipes that are recommended to beginners by papier-mâché sculptors.
Recipe number 1
For the first recipe, you will need paper (toilet, office, newspaper), liquid soap, PVA glue, hot water and construction putty. Work begins with kneading the dough. About 8 rolls of toilet paper (this will be enough to get about 2 kg of the finished mass) are crushed and placed in a clean container. It is poured with hot water. The paper is allowed to "rest" for several hours. Now it is placed in gauze folded several times, fabric (not very dense) or a mosquito net. The mass is squeezed, but not dry. Then the paper is crushed again. For these purposes, use a mixer or blender. The result is a fibrous dough, in which add about 1 tbsp. a spoonful of soap (even the usual Fairy dishwashing detergent will do). Mixed. Now PVA glue is gradually poured into the mass. Add it in portions so that the composition is evenly mixed. There is no exact dosage of glue. Here, the master decides for himself how much thick papier-mâché he needs. After glue, 4-5 tbsp are added to the dough. spoons putty. The mass is once again kneaded. Papier-mâché is ready to use.
Recipe number 2
To prepare the composition for a different formulation, you will need:
The paper is crushed and filled with water in a clean container. The future dough is left for a day. After the paper swells, it is placed in portions in gauze and squeezed. Now glue is added to the bowl. It should be divided into five parts and gradually poured into the pulp, each time thoroughly mixing. Now flax oil is added to the almost finished papier-mâché, which will make it possible to obtain more elastic products. The mass is mixed again and the dough from the modeling paper is ready.
Ideas for papier mache
Vases, small sculptures, bowls, chests, caskets, boxes, dolls are made from papier-mâché. Using paper pulp, you can create a bas-relief or three-dimensional panel on the wall. Pebbles, pebbles, bricks are molded from the material, which after painting differ from the real ones only in weight. Unusual decor is fixed on the walls, fireplaces, around door or arched openings. This option is ideal for budget repairs, if the designer has free time to work on the creation of numerous elements.
Vases
It is easiest to make vases by technology by overlaying pieces on a mold. Old or cracked ceramics, which you want to recreate again, can act as a basis. Newspaper sheets are crushed, moistened in glue and layered on a vase. After drying, the resulting product is cut in half, separated from the sample, and then re-bonded with wood glue. To get a round vase use a balloon. After the papier-mâché has solidified, it is pierced with a needle and removed through a small hole, which is also subsequently glued. The flexibility of the material allows you to create complex, delicate surfaces. Additionally, the decoration is decorated with eggshells, threads that form patterns, accessories, beads, buttons.
Wall decoration
In wall decoration, papier-mâché is used to create complex artistic compositions and to make cheap decorative finishes.In the first case, a plywood sheet is required, on which a drawing is applied. Then the paper-glue mass is bred, from which individual fragments of the picture are formed. After drying, the parts are glued to the base strictly along the contours of the drawing and painted. If you make enough effort, you can get fantastic panels with images of fairytale princesses and unreal creatures. This decoration is ideal for the interior of a children's room. The bedroom or living room is decorated with paintings depicting volumetric flowers, birds, animals, trees. The kitchen will look spectacular still life or embossed vine. To make bricks or stones from the material, forms are necessarily prepared. To do this, select a suitable sample (or rather a couple), place it in a container and fill it with gypsum. When you need to decorate a large section of the wall, several molds are used, since this will significantly accelerate the time-consuming stamping process. Instead of toilet paper, it is recommended to soak the egg trays. Alabaster must be added to the composition for greater strength. The products are well dried and fixed to the wall using wood glue. If you need a smooth surface, then artificial stones are sanded with sandpaper.
Decor and crafts
From papier-mâché you can make door handles or knockers, decorative wreaths that are additionally decorated with twigs, burlap, cones and ribbons. The material is often used to create caskets, pirate treasure chests, piggy banks, candlesticks and artificial fruits. In the latter case, it is better to sacrifice the original treat to create a form. By the way, papier-mâché after drying will be easier to separate from mold, if it is previously greased with petroleum jelly. Complex pulp is also made from paper pulp.For example, the product is a decorative hand, on the fingers of which bracelets and beads are hung. Stucco made of paper adorn the furniture. Papier-mâché curls are no worse than gypsum. The solar system of miniature planets that create using the same balloons will decorate the room of a young astronomer.
Masks for carnival and not only
Papier-mâché is considered a classic material for the manufacture of ceremonial and carnival masks. Of course, when working it is better to use the purchased sample, which is simply wrapped with pieces of paper smeared in glue. If the original is not at hand, you will have to use your own face. To do this, they cover it with a protective film (it is better to take food), then with several layers of napkins and only on top paste the mass. After all the outlines of the face are transferred to the blank of the mask, it is removed, and the edges are trimmed in places where there is surplus, and additional pieces of paper are applied to increase the thickness of the product. After this, papier-mâché is allowed to dry completely and harden. Then they cover with a layer of varnish, paint, glue glitter, pieces of foil, rhinestones and other small decor. The original decoration in the design of the room will be the head of the animal from papier-mâché: rhino, deer, wolf, lion. Similar elements are combined with a hunting style, safari, chalet.
Decorative dishes
Papier-mâché produces original plates, bowls, teapots, cups, bottles and glasses. Of course, you cannot use such dishes for their intended purpose, but the decor will turn out beautiful. From the same material, you can make a whole set for children's tea parties. A miniature teapot and a set of mugs will delight the girl.The thematic figures of the Hatter and the White Rabbit complete the ceremony. Plates after painting are placed on supports. Such ornaments are suitable for rustic, ethnic style, provence and country. To make dishes, use samples that are pasted with paper. The shape of the plate is not so easy to repeat. Decorative bowls can be used to store sweets or fruits. The decoration will withstand such a load, but it should be protected from contact with liquids.
Conclusion
Papier-mâché is a good example of the fact that even from the simplest ingredients, adding a bit of imagination to them, you can create something original, original and incredibly beautiful. Over the years, the recipe for paper dough has changed, new ingredients began to be added to it, but the two main components remained the same. Remember that it’s not enough just to create an anatomically correct shape, it also needs to be colored correctly by connecting the artist’s talents. Papier-mâché modeling can be a wonderful hobby for the whole family, in which adults will make “serious” decor, and children will make miniature figures or masks. The process of working with mass without molds develops fine motor skills of the hands, which is especially useful for the child.