New Paper Mache Dragon- breastplates, start of the head
Hi everyone. Hope you are all well.
I love putting breast plates on my dragons. This is easy to do with cloth mache. But first, I didn't like the body of this dragon. She didn't really have a waist. This was easily fixed. I just grabbed her in the middle and squeezed. I love paper mache. This is what I mean when I say that it is "forgiving." You can adjust anything at any point. Then I added tape. I drew a line down the length of the body to guide me as I put on the plates. It's easy to loose the middle if the neck or tail has a lot of movement.
I started at the tip of the tail. I folded pieces of cloth and laid them on top of one another. I pinched them in the middle to make a crease. This time I decided to have the crease split into three segments when it got to the body.
Now it's time to add the head. (This part is for you Don.) Putting a head on a project is a matter of putting the jaws together in a position that you like. Tape the back of the jaws to hold the mouth together in that position. Note that I painted the jaws and tongue first...much easier than painting it once it's on the project.
If this were a simple Screamer or monster, I would cut a hole in the body and push the jaw assembly into the hole and tape. This is a bit different because this dragon has a long neck. I just cut off the neck and pulled out some of the paper. This made a hole for me to insert the back of the jaw. Sometimes there are gaps that need to be filled. I use pieces of paper mache balls to fill those holes. I put the paper mache shell over the hole and added masking tape.
As I've said many times, I use smaller paper mache balls for details. I cut off part of one and added it to the top of the dragon's head. I used my knife to cut a small hole for the eyes which I hot glued in place.
I then crumpled small amounts of paper and wrapped them with tape to add details. In this case I wrapped the eyes to give some depth to the eye sockets. I also use small pieces of paper mache (remnants of the neck in this case) to fashion a nose.
I love putting breast plates on my dragons. This is easy to do with cloth mache. But first, I didn't like the body of this dragon. She didn't really have a waist. This was easily fixed. I just grabbed her in the middle and squeezed. I love paper mache. This is what I mean when I say that it is "forgiving." You can adjust anything at any point. Then I added tape. I drew a line down the length of the body to guide me as I put on the plates. It's easy to loose the middle if the neck or tail has a lot of movement.
I started at the tip of the tail. I folded pieces of cloth and laid them on top of one another. I pinched them in the middle to make a crease. This time I decided to have the crease split into three segments when it got to the body.
Now it's time to add the head. (This part is for you Don.) Putting a head on a project is a matter of putting the jaws together in a position that you like. Tape the back of the jaws to hold the mouth together in that position. Note that I painted the jaws and tongue first...much easier than painting it once it's on the project.
If this were a simple Screamer or monster, I would cut a hole in the body and push the jaw assembly into the hole and tape. This is a bit different because this dragon has a long neck. I just cut off the neck and pulled out some of the paper. This made a hole for me to insert the back of the jaw. Sometimes there are gaps that need to be filled. I use pieces of paper mache balls to fill those holes. I put the paper mache shell over the hole and added masking tape.
As I've said many times, I use smaller paper mache balls for details. I cut off part of one and added it to the top of the dragon's head. I used my knife to cut a small hole for the eyes which I hot glued in place.
I then crumpled small amounts of paper and wrapped them with tape to add details. In this case I wrapped the eyes to give some depth to the eye sockets. I also use small pieces of paper mache (remnants of the neck in this case) to fashion a nose.
Sorry, I must leave it here for the time being. I'll be back to finish the head soon.
Posted by Dan the Monster-man at 3/19/2011 10:06 AM 
Categories: New Paper Mache Dragon Project
Tags: paper mache papier mache sculpture arts and crafts raptors birds dragons paper mache recipes paper mache instructions
Categories: New Paper Mache Dragon Project
Tags: paper mache papier mache sculpture arts and crafts raptors birds dragons paper mache recipes paper mache instructions
Well this is sure going to be a fantastic one alright! She is looking sooo good!! Absolutely love watching your steps and that you share them with us!! I really can't find the words to say how much I love this one and I can't wait to see what you do next on her..You are the Mache King, sticky hands down..
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Hi Suz,
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Hope this doesn't post twice..I got the error for entering the security code wrong, and it wasn't..I see this every once in awhile and it still goes through.. hummm...this one didn't seem to.. anyway...Do we get to see your commission? I haven't had much spare time to work on all the things I have on my mache-to-do list, I have alot of projects on the table, ha haha...I'm terrible at time management and overwhelmed with what I want to do next, wish I didn't need to sleep, that uses alot of time, LOL...And my business takes even more, darn it...Thank you for the compliment but next to you, I'm chump change! Happy egg sanding!
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Don't worry. I realize that you aren't sending me the exact same messages twice. I'll just delete repeats. There are glitches all the time. I'm documenting the commission in case anyone wants to watch that build. We'll see. It's a full size laughing buddha for the Starling Coffee Company in Lynnwood (close to Seattle). He is gleefully drinking a cup of coffee. I'm very happy with how it's turning out. It's always way more time consuming to make pieces so large.
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So it's a girl? love the snake type eyes! Where is Max? regards, Cherry
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Hi Cherry,
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Wow! I found your website while helping my daughter google for paper mache ideas/techniques and wanted to share how much I LOVE it - love your art, love your dragons, love your tutorial videos (really enjoyed your sense of humor in them) Thanks for sharing your techniques and expertise in this way.
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Hi Mary,
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OK...I have to ask about the eyes. Some of my students want the real thing. Do you recommend a particular source for the taxidermy eyes? We are making some eyes out of clay/glazing them, but takes so long.
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Very nice dragon !!! Dan how can I make the dragon water repellent. So I can put the dragon outside in the garden ??
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Hi Miriam,
I am still experimenting myself with the outdoor issue. I just used exterior enamel paint on the one in my front yard. But I still expect it to degrade at some point. Paper just absorbs water. That's why it's great for paper mache, but not great for weatherproofing. But I'm convinced that you can make them last for a while with the right paints.
Dan
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Hi Dan,
I love your stuff and am a paper enthusiast myself. I have taught a variety of paper mache classes over the years using the newspaper and tape method though generally with an internal wire armature. I am planning to teach a monster paper mache class and would like permission to use a photo of one of your Screamers in the class booklet. Please say okay.
Thank you so much.
Lenore
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Hello Lenore,
It's nice to meet another paper mache artist, a monster maker at that! Of course you can use photos or anything else, so long as you credit me with the pieces. Your class sounds like fun!
Keep in touch. I'd love to see photos of what you make.
Dan
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Hi, love your work. I too am a papeir máchê artist, but I work in a different way, I normally use balloons as moulds. I also make piñatas, but, mostly string piñatas that can be use as many times as you wish, because I can put a new bottom on them, you can visit my new page on facebook - piñatas for all - write - piñatas para todos - hope you visit, bye.
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Hello there,
I checked out your facebook site. Your pinatas are great! I hope you have a lot of success. Thank you for stopping by.
Dan
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Wow that's impressive. The fanciest thing I ever made with paper mache was a mask of blind Oedipus. You have quite the talent there.
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Hola Dan, soy Marcos.
Como ya te he dicho estoy haciendo un dragón. Me gustaría saber como haces las lenguas de los dragones.
Garcias Dan (eres el mejor)
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Hola de nuevo Marco. Puedo hacer dos "dedos" que son largas y puntiagudas. Luego los puse junto con un pedazo de cinta adhesiva en la parte posterior. De esta manera se obtiene un pliegue en el medio. Si usted divide las dos piezas al final puede hacer que bífida, como una serpiente.
Buena suerte.
Dan
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Did you ever make a paper mache frenakenstein? I don´t know, because you haven´t got any video of this .
If you ever do it, can you put a comment with the photo?
9
Thnk you, Dan (the best)
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Hello again James.
Yes, I've also made a Frankenstein. It's my own strange version of a Frankenstein, a lounge lizard type. He is on the cover of my book. Here he is.
Take care
Dan
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Sorry, in the my last comment I pur frenakenstein. I wanted to say frankenstein.
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It´s increible!
Like you, you are an increible artist, i think the best.
Marcos
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You are too kind Marcos. Thank you so much!
Dan
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