Paper Mache Dragon Pair- Wings
Okay, so this first photo is a tease. I'm not going to show you the front in detail yet. You'll just have to wait until my posts catch up with my progress. But here is a rather cool photo from the back with light coming through the wings. Since this post is about wings, I thought you'd like to see it.
As you can see, I've left the paper mache completely behind. I'm solely in the realm of "cloth mache." One of the coolest things I learned to do with my cloth mache technique is to make wings. If you are interested, read on.
Paper Mache Dragon (back lit)
Here's another one of my little trade secrets. I know that draping cloth dipped in glue over long, skinny "fingers" requires support. Otherwise the fingers would just bend. So I tape a piece of string to the ends of the fingers and attach them to the ceiling of my shop. That adds just enough support to hold the wet cloth.
I dip a large piece of cloth into a bucket of Elmer's glue and squeeze it out. As you might guess, this is a very messy process. And it can take a full quart of glue depending upon the size of the wings.
Next, I drape the cloth. I push the cloth in between the fingers. You must be patient here. This can be very frustrating. You push in between two of the fingers and it pulls out of adjacent fingers. But you'll get the hang of it. Don't get upset.
Note all the extra cloth at the ends of the fingers. Cut this excess off with scissors. Let it dry overnight.
After it is dry, use sharp scissors (I like the little, hair cutting scissors for this) and trim the wings. Beautiful!
In this particular case, I wanted claw (or clawish looking spikes) at the end of the fingers. So I roll back the cloth and use my wire cutters to cut off the ends of the fingers.
I hot glue the spikes onto the ends of the fingers. Then I cover the ends with glue (Elmer's) and pull the cloth back over the spikes. Look at the photo on the right. How cool are those?
Finally, I turn the project over and lay it on its stomach. It's hard to see with these photos, but I add long strips of cloth and glue to the back sides of the fingers and arms. This "locks in" the shape of the draping.
I must say one more thing about this cloth mache process with wings. When you paint the wings with latex based paints (basically house paint), they feel like leather. They replicate dragon wings very well.
Thanks again for popping by. See you soon!
As you can see, I've left the paper mache completely behind. I'm solely in the realm of "cloth mache." One of the coolest things I learned to do with my cloth mache technique is to make wings. If you are interested, read on.
Paper Mache Dragon (back lit)
Here's another one of my little trade secrets. I know that draping cloth dipped in glue over long, skinny "fingers" requires support. Otherwise the fingers would just bend. So I tape a piece of string to the ends of the fingers and attach them to the ceiling of my shop. That adds just enough support to hold the wet cloth.
I dip a large piece of cloth into a bucket of Elmer's glue and squeeze it out. As you might guess, this is a very messy process. And it can take a full quart of glue depending upon the size of the wings.
Next, I drape the cloth. I push the cloth in between the fingers. You must be patient here. This can be very frustrating. You push in between two of the fingers and it pulls out of adjacent fingers. But you'll get the hang of it. Don't get upset.
Note all the extra cloth at the ends of the fingers. Cut this excess off with scissors. Let it dry overnight.
After it is dry, use sharp scissors (I like the little, hair cutting scissors for this) and trim the wings. Beautiful!
In this particular case, I wanted claw (or clawish looking spikes) at the end of the fingers. So I roll back the cloth and use my wire cutters to cut off the ends of the fingers.
I hot glue the spikes onto the ends of the fingers. Then I cover the ends with glue (Elmer's) and pull the cloth back over the spikes. Look at the photo on the right. How cool are those?
Finally, I turn the project over and lay it on its stomach. It's hard to see with these photos, but I add long strips of cloth and glue to the back sides of the fingers and arms. This "locks in" the shape of the draping.
I must say one more thing about this cloth mache process with wings. When you paint the wings with latex based paints (basically house paint), they feel like leather. They replicate dragon wings very well.
Thanks again for popping by. See you soon!
Posted by Dan the Monster-man at 3/8/2011 3:26 PM 
Categories: New Paper Mache Dragon Project
Tags: paper mache papier mache sculpture arts and crafts dragons paper mache instructions paper mache recipes cloth mache raptors
Categories: New Paper Mache Dragon Project
Tags: paper mache papier mache sculpture arts and crafts dragons paper mache instructions paper mache recipes cloth mache raptors
Oh My Gosh!! Absolutely spectacular. I had no idea she was going to be so big. And the winds are beautiful.
Can't wait to see the next step!!
Reply to this
Hi Ande,
Reply to this
Wow, its looking fantastic Dan!!! Can't wait to see him painted, (you too I'm sure..haha) Very different than the others huh! The spikes at the wing tips are very cool! and the Backbone/tail looks great with the cloth!
Reply to this
Hi Suz,
I'm glad you like the wings and spines. I'm happy with the spiral nature of the tail. The spikes really accentuate it. You are always so supportive. Thank you.
Dan
Reply to this
I love it! He/she is gorgeous! Very gorgeous!....but in "dragon" sort of way!
It is looking wonderful. keep up the great work and we love seeing your blogs!
where is Max?
Reply to this
Hi Cherry,
Thank you for the nice comment! I'm glad you like it. It's funny you should mention Max. I had a few more photos of him (and Eddie) but I thought I was overdoing it a bit with the cats. So I left them out this post. I'm sure one or both of them will show up next time.
Take care
Dan
Reply to this
p.s. love the spines all the way down the back etc and the tail is lovely.
the curl in it is just right! You are right, papier mache can be amazing...in your hands anyway...I have never seen the medium pushed so far! it is great with all its extra bits and cloth mache etc.
Reply to this
Hi again,
That's very flattering to hear. Thank you for your kind words. I really do believe in this medium. If I'm good at it it's because I have lots and lots of practice. In the book "Outliers" he talks about becoming an expert at something after 10,000 hours of practice. I'm sure I'm way past that.
I really am happy to show off the possibilities.
Dan
PS. And thanks about the tail. I'm very happy with how that turned out.
Reply to this
Dan... you're the master. If I can ever get to be half as good as you I will be happy. Thanks so much for these beautiful works of art... you've taken your art to a whole new level...this peice is masterful... I've got to have pics of this one... carry on young man...
Best Joe...
Reply to this
Hey Joseph,
Dan
Reply to this
She's gorgeous. Just gorgeous. I love the light shining through the wings and spikes on her back. What color do you have in mind for her?
Reply to this
Hi Phyl,
Reply to this
Hi Phyl,
Reply to this
Aaaamazing!!! When you first said you thought this was going to be yous best dragon, I wasn't so sure...I don't know, I thought the swan-like stance looked a bit weird for a dragon...but now I see how wrong I was, it really is looking stunning!!! This has taught me to never doubt the master :-p
After a few months I almost finished my first dragon, hopefully I can send you some pictures this weekend!!
Reply to this
Hi Nacho.
Reply to this
It is going to be hard to look at this dragon & not hold my breath waiting for it to move even in a picture. If you ever sold this one man i would love to think i could raise the cash to buy it.
Reply to this
Hi Jonty,
Reply to this
Oh lord don't mention paint to me today paiting is my pet hate lol. Whilst adding the teeth to one of my large dragon head trophies. They just for the life of me would not hot glue in right. Then when i came to paint inside the mouth the wet paint pulled a few still loose teeth off/out again aaaaaagh!.
Finaly got them to stay put & got the dark under coat in the mouth/ears. That ones back on the wall to dry for today. Am now going to attempt to add some horns to another large dragon head trophy. Just not my day today. If i have any sense about me i would just down tools & walk away, just walk away man lol.
Oh i am serious if your selling this dragon i'd love the chance to buy it. Not much hope but there you go lol.
Reply to this
Hi again Jonty,
Reply to this
Lol odd eh?
My second (of 3) large dragon head trophies with horns a male(the other one is female with frons)now has its ears if not its horns yet. Just finished cutting in (with strips) where the ears join the head just off behind the eyes for today. Tomorrow i will finish the ears then work on some horn designs hopefully begining to getting some on it then lol.
I will send you some WIP shots for private viewing in a few days. Will send finished shots for your visitors gallery on your other site when these are finished too of course but that is a couple of weeks off yet lol.
Reply to this
Spectacular...just amazing. I love the wings.
I also love the effect of the backlight on the wings.
Is there any way to get the wings to stay that translucent? The latex always makes them opaque right? What if you put the color directly in the glue?
I just think it would be cool to make a lighting fixture where the wings acted like the lampshade.
Reply to this
Adding a 'hint' of colour to the PVA (any white glue) would work perfectly fine. Only use one layer of sheet for the wing 'skin' then the light would pass through just right. Adding paint 'outside' the skin as Dan does mostly will thicken the wings more reducing the translucent effect.
To add more colours simply water down the paints of choice & i mean really thin them out using water only. Stand the dragon in front of the actual light you intend to use so you can see not only as you paint but as they dry just what tones your getting once dry. Then you will not only get the colours right but you'd know when to stop painting too lol.
Reply to this
Thanks Jonty for the tip. I definitely have to build a dragon now, when I'm done with the current imp.
Dan, This is an amazing piece it totally deserves all the praise it's getting.
Oh and sorry for any double postings, my machine is giving me fits today.
Travis
Reply to this
Hi Travis,
Reply to this
Dan... one quick question please. When you make an extended body (head to tail) like this dragon, how do you connect your coat hangers? Or do you? My nest drgon is going to be laying/sitting on a table and will be about 48 to fifty inches long.
Thanks very much... hope this is not a bother... best... Joe
Reply to this
Hi again Joe,
Reply to this
Spectacular...just amazing. I love the wings.
I also love the effect of the backlight on the wings.
Is there any way to get the wings to stay that translucent? The latex always makes them opaque right? What if you put the color directly in the glue?
I just think it would be cool to make a lighting fixture where the wings acted like the lampshade.
Reply to this
Hi Dan - new poster, but old fan here. I adore your work and if I can ever get my head out of miniatures and dolls, I am going to tarp my artroom and haul out the buckets, order your books and try a dragon. You are an amazing inspriation, and I have to tell you this piece is just insane. The frills, the wings, the anatomy - most of all the fact that you wring these things out of paper and glue and wire is just ...whew. Amazing. Very happy to have found your blog, much happier to be able to follow your work here. Thanks so much!!
Arlene
Reply to this
Hi Arlene,
Reply to this
WOW!! Amazing once again..
but I hope he isn't going to be stuck in the basement.
Will he fit through the door?
Yeah, I'm pretty sure you have got this covered since this isn't exactly your first extra large creation.
It really is fantastic!!
Reply to this
Hi Lori,
Reply to this
Wow this is so beautiful! I have never made a dragon before. I want to but I am afraid to try because I will be frustrated when he doesn't look anywhere near as good as yours.
I made a fish using your method and added a link to your site on my craft blog if that is ok. http://mizerella.blogspot.com/2011/03/19-scary-fish.html
Just got your book and I can't wait to make some more monsters.
Mary (AKA Mizerella)
Reply to this
Hey Mary,
Reply to this
Awesome fish indeed loved it. You should do the shark & a dragon too for sure.
If you add your website/blog addy to the post form here where it says "Website" it will automatically tag your site/blog to your name. So all anyone need do in future is click on your name (high lighted in green) to jump to your site/blog.
Reply to this
These wings have truly inspired me!!!The entire dragon is a masterpiece, from one who loves dragons!It's been forever and a day since I was last creative & got my hands dirty. Good 10yrs or so. I've not used paper mache since the balloon trick at primary school, but looking at your work, It's definitely the way to go for me!! ( Question, when you add legs etc, do you just push the wire into the body & tape round? prob another stupid question, but hey all go to start somewhere!!!)
Reply to this
Hi again Jen,
Yes again with the legs. I did exactly as you described. I'm glad to hear you might "get dirty" again with art. It's worth it. This is a great medium.
Good luck.
Dan
Reply to this
Your work is absolutely stunning,keep it up. The world needs more beautiful things.
Reply to this
Thank you so much for your nice comment! I appreciate you taking the time to write.
Take care
Dan
Reply to this