A Paper Mache Dark Butterfly
I only have time to give you a little bit of this new paper mache project of mine. I am making a sort of a lizard-like butterfly with the body of a woman and the face of a....well, not exactly sure how to describe the face yet. You'll just have to wait and see.
You know the drill by now. I crumpled balls into a torso (upper, right), hips (upper, middle), head (lower, middle), and a couple extras for who knows what. You know I like to have extra paper mache balls around so that I can add details to the project. As usual I used wire clothes hangers to put inside the legs, arms, and in this case the tail. (Did you know that lizard-like lady butterflies have tails? Well, they do.) Sorry, it's hard to see the white clothes hangers clearly.
Isn't she beautiful so far?
So why are people still making paper mache piggies? I don't get it.
Thank you for stopping by. See you soon.
You know the drill by now. I crumpled balls into a torso (upper, right), hips (upper, middle), head (lower, middle), and a couple extras for who knows what. You know I like to have extra paper mache balls around so that I can add details to the project. As usual I used wire clothes hangers to put inside the legs, arms, and in this case the tail. (Did you know that lizard-like lady butterflies have tails? Well, they do.) Sorry, it's hard to see the white clothes hangers clearly.
Here are the crumpled paper arms and legs. I also twisted paper around the wire to make a long, sleek, bifurcated tail.
Here she is after I paper mached all of the parts.
Isn't she beautiful so far?
So why are people still making paper mache piggies? I don't get it.
Thank you for stopping by. See you soon.
Posted by Dan the Monster-man at 9/24/2011 9:38 PM 
Categories: Paper Mache Dark Butterfly
Tags: paper mache papier mache sculpture arts and crafts entomology butterfly beautiful
Categories: Paper Mache Dark Butterfly
Tags: paper mache papier mache sculpture arts and crafts entomology butterfly beautiful
Oh I can't wait! I always look so forward to your next new project! Well good luck and have fun in Texas!
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Hi Suz!
I wish I had time to devote totally to this new project. But this Texas thing has got me very busy (well, and school too).
Hope all is well and you are doing art.
Dan
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I am amazed at your art!!I have been trying to use your papermache technique to make a dragon head mask my son wants for Halloween. I cannot seem to get the papermache to go smoothly around the paperballs. The ends pucker and lift away. Don't know where to begin..is it the paste, too wide of strips, not wide enough, too much paste on paper, not enough paste on paper etc. Strips were about 5"x 11". Paste seemed ok..1 cup flour 2 cups water -and I'm only putting my hands in the paste. Just was wondering how you get your edges on the paper to stay down and smooth when you paper mache the balls?!
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Hi Desiree,
First, don't give up on the ones balls you've started. Tear off the edges that are sticking up and start again. I think my paste is a bit thicker. I usually have a one-to-one ratio of flour to water. That will help to thicken it up. I like wide strips so that should not be a problem. I like that you are only putting hands on the paste. Perhaps you are being a bit tentative and not keeping your hands wet enough. Make sure your hands are very wet. And make sure you are only one piece of paper at a time. Make sure each strip is thoroughly soaked before adding the next strip. If you follow this the paper should be wet enough to lay flat. So keep it really wet, thicker paste, one piece at a time. Let me know if this doesn't work out. We'll make sure it does.
Nice to meet you. Good luck.
Dan
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Hello. Your art is out of this world. Amazing talent!!! My son and i are going to try to do a paper mache of hades' 3 headed dog, Cerberus. How do you attempt to mold the "face". Just not sure how to start this part? Any suggestions, comments, etc...
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Hello JR,
Thank you for the nice compliments. I'm glad you like the art. I don't do molds. I would sculpt each head individually. For me that would mean making some paper mache balls (crumpling paper and paper macheing over them). Make a few of various sizes to sculpt with later, but you would need three the same size for the three heads. I sculpt by cutting the balls up and using masking tape. You can see that in the videos and the projects on the blog. I put a final "skin" on the project of cloth (old bed sheets) dipped into white glue (usually Elmer's). You can get great details like this and it is very strong. Use any water-based paints to finish.
Good luck!
Dan
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Dear Dan, absolutely impressive work. I did not know such things were possible with paper mache. Have you ever considered doing your own version of an Alebrije? They have such strange forms and vivid colors!
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Hello Glen,
Thank you for the nice comment! I really appreciate you taking the time to write. To tell you the truth, I don't know what an "Alebrije" is (are). I'm going to google this in one minute.
Take care and check back once in a while!
Dan
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Hi Dan,
You're still my all time favorite monster maker! I emailed you a couple years ago to inquire about available critters - at the time, there were none. I'm sure my creepy guys would happily befriend one of yours. I just wanted to be sure to catch all your newest work as it happens so I'm subscribing to your blog. Thanks for sharing your amazing talent. Denise
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Hi Denise.
I'm extremely flattered by your nice remarks especially because you are such a fine artist. Thank you for stopping by! Keep in touch.
Dan
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Hello dan,
te escribo desde lima-peru,FELICITACIONES POR TUS TRABAJOS ESTAN FANTASTICOS,MUY BUENA TU TECNICA TELA MACHE.YO ESTOY EMPEZANDO EN ESTE ARTE,YA PRONTO TE ENVIARE MIS TRABAJOS PARA QUE LOS PUEDAS CALIFICAR.
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Hola Guido. Gracias por el comentario. Realmente lo aprecio. Buena suerte en su arte. Me encantaría ver las fotos de algún tiempo.
Gracias de nuevo.
Dan
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Hi Dan,
I really like your paper mache work, and I'm excited to see the finished dark butterfly, when will you update it? I really want to see more of it
Grtz, Jelina from Belgium
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Hello Jelina,
I've been busy with other things (see my new post). But I'm heading home tomorrow to start work again. I promise to make updates as soon as I can perhaps in just a couple of days. Thank you for being patient!
Dan
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I wasa just wondering what you use for the eyes? They are fantastic it really makes a difference on all your projects! I can't wait to see this baby come to life. I am a newby to this blog but will forever be a fan!
Denise
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Hey Denise. I appreciate your enthusiasm. I see that you already found out about the eyes. I'm glad you did.
Good luck on finishing the rest of your many projects! Hope you check back often.
Dan
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Hey Dan yes I got the answer from watching you video of your last talk. Enjoyed it thanks! What kind of eyes did you use for Buddha Jo?
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Hi Dan! I have just spent several HOURS going through every detail of your site, videos, and creations. Obviously I love them. I sit here thinking "I wonder if I could somehow introduce your stuff to the boys I teach. I teach math and biology at a private all boys high school here in NYC. Boys are a handful! I downloaded the sample of your book to my kindle and hope to show them your website to see if they have interest. The materials are inexpensive so that is a plus!
Thanks for sharing...love you sense of humor (sarcasm is my style). My mother was a sculptor with stone and wood but she passed away this past year so I feel a yearning.
Thanks again. Wish you were in NYC.
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Hello Yvette,
It's nice to meet you. I'm flattered that you plowed through my site. I haven't even done that. You now know more about my art than I do. I also teach math at a private school (sixth grade now, but have taught math for half my career, mostly at the high school level). You should do some sculpture. It's in your blood. I think you'd enjoy it.
Good luck!
Dan
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Hello Mr. Dan!İm Alla from Ukraine İ've just found your website and looked with pleasure on your creatures, they are amazing,the God gave you a great talent! İm beginner in paper mache usually İ work about glass mosaics and some idea came to me if its possible to mix so different kinds of art like paper mache and mosaics? Firstly it should be done some object from paper mache (certainly it must be too strong) after that it must be covered with a small pieces of glass. İt would be kind of you Mr. Dan if you could give me some advice about this question. Can İ hope for your answer Mr. Dan ? Wish you to be inspired everytime and have a good luck!
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Hello Alla,
It is very nice to meet you. I think it is possible to mix paper mache with mosaics. I think you just need to sculpt using the paper mache and then cover the piece with your glass or tiles. It should be very stong when you are finished. I have never tried this before. But I think it would be worth trying.
Good luck.. Thank you for your kind words.
Dan
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