Art and Sculpture

Paper mache or papier-mâché (also pulp or papier-mâché, from Italian also Cartapesta) is a mixture of paper and a binder, usually paste, from which can be made light, stable, relatively cheap and relatively large sculptures, or masks. Sometimes other aggregates, such as chalk or clay, are added to the mixture.

For its production, torn paper is combined with a paste and a tough pulp and mixed into pieces. After drying, the pulp acquires a certain strength. Papier-mâché is therefore suitable for the modeling, but needs a rather long time to dry in order to become strong.

Originally from the Orient or Asian area, paper mache in Europe has been known since the 15th century. At first mostly reliefs and sculptures were made. The so called stone cardboard which was used since the seventeenth century for the production of dolls (paper docking) was created by adding high chalk shares. In Mexico and Latin America, it has been used for a long time to make Piñatas.

Paper mache can be shaped with sandpaper or a sharp knife. Because it is elastic, it can also be worked on with a hammer and chisel. It has a relatively high tensile strength.

To make a simple paper mache at home, firstly some “simple paper” is needed, such as from a newspaper. The normal printed pages are much better suited than glossy pages. Tear up this paper into small pieces and place in a bowl or bucket. Add hot water. Through the hot water, the paper decomposes and the fibers are free. The smaller the pieces are cut, the easier it is to mix. Kneed the paper like dough and thoroughly press out the excess water. Finally add glue powder and stir. The stirring can be done with a wooden spoon or with the hands depending on the temperature of the water. A kitchen mixer can also be used.

To get a consistency that is a fine and smooth paper mache paste, you can cook the mass in a steam cooking pot for 10 minutes or simmer in a big pot at a small temperature. This causes the fibers to completely dissolve in time and establish an almost gypsum like mass.

For larger projects, there is plenty of time that needs to be set aside. If you have several large buckets of paper mache to make for a larger sculpture, many cooking operations are required to prepare such a big quantity. These instructions however are more suited for smaller quantities.