A Paper Mache Dark Butterfly- Wings!
Welcome back to my paper mache Dark Butterfly project.
As you can see below I attached her head. I know, she still looks creepy. As I said earlier, this will change radically when she has lips and eyelids and hair (well, the equivalent of hair). You'll notice I also added breasts. Max was curious about these. She will have scales when she's finished. That will change how you perceive her anatomy. On the right you can see the beginnings of her wings. You can also see her fingers and toes in the upper right hand corner of the photo.
Below you can see how I attached the framework for the wings. I just punched holes in the paper mache back and stuck in the long, tapered spines (I'm not sure what you call these, they will be the substructure of the wings). On the right she is ready to have the cloth draped over the spines. It's hard to see here, but I have strings connected to the ends of the spines. These are connected to the ceiling. This is to support the weight of large pieces of cloth soaked with glue.
Here she is with the cloth draped over the spines. I let this cloth dry over night. On the right you'll see Eddie complaining. He wanted me to stop working on the butterfly and to give him food.
A little closer look at her upper body.
And, for what it's worth, here is what she looks like from the back. I added cloth mache to the backs of the spines.
Thanks again for stopping by. Happy Holidays to you all.
As you can see below I attached her head. I know, she still looks creepy. As I said earlier, this will change radically when she has lips and eyelids and hair (well, the equivalent of hair). You'll notice I also added breasts. Max was curious about these. She will have scales when she's finished. That will change how you perceive her anatomy. On the right you can see the beginnings of her wings. You can also see her fingers and toes in the upper right hand corner of the photo.
Below you can see how I attached the framework for the wings. I just punched holes in the paper mache back and stuck in the long, tapered spines (I'm not sure what you call these, they will be the substructure of the wings). On the right she is ready to have the cloth draped over the spines. It's hard to see here, but I have strings connected to the ends of the spines. These are connected to the ceiling. This is to support the weight of large pieces of cloth soaked with glue.
Here she is with the cloth draped over the spines. I let this cloth dry over night. On the right you'll see Eddie complaining. He wanted me to stop working on the butterfly and to give him food.
Here she is with her wings trimmed.
A little closer look at her upper body.
And, for what it's worth, here is what she looks like from the back. I added cloth mache to the backs of the spines.
Thanks again for stopping by. Happy Holidays to you all.
Posted by Dan the Monster-man at 12/12/2011 10:14 AM 
Categories: Paper Mache Dark Butterfly
Tags: paper mache papier mache sculpture arts and crafts butterfly insects beautiful woman feline instructions
Categories: Paper Mache Dark Butterfly
Tags: paper mache papier mache sculpture arts and crafts butterfly insects beautiful woman feline instructions
I was very curious about how the wings were going to be shaped, naturally you made them look fantastic! Stringing them up was a great way to keep the shape, but that sure must have been a bit of work having to work around them! What a funny picture of Eddie, thats a good one!
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Hey Suz,
Wow, you are always so fast at responding. I just posted this! I'm glad you like the wings. I know that I always say that I just drape the cloth. Of course that is an understatement. It can be tricky with large wings like these. It takes me an hour each side to get the cloth right.
It's nice to hear from you as always.
See you
Dan
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Wow, Those wings are so lovely. Incredible how delicate they appear. I am so looking forward to seeing the finished result on those wings. I really enjoy seeing this in progress. SO surprising with each update. Happy Holidays Dan.
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Hey Roz,
You are always really supportive. I'm glad you like these. I can hardly wait to do the face. But that's why I wait to do it last. You will be very surprised how different she will look at the end.
Happy Holiday to you too.
Dan
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Haha, just happen to be on when you posted...(as usual!)wow an hour each, definitely alot of work!
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Hi Dan,
I'll say again how generous you are to share all the details of your incredible work! She's sooo cool. Can't wait to see her completed. Love your studio mates, Max and Eddie. Leave it to you to capture Eddie in that hilarious pose!
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Hi Denise,
Thanks for the nice compliments. Yes, I can hardly wait to finish her. I think she will look great with skin. And Eddie and Max appreciated the nice note too.
Dan
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She does look incredible Dan! Creepy as well,yes, would not want to have her hanging up over my bed! Hi to Eddie and Max. She will look very striking when finished. Yes, feeding the starving cats occasionally is good too...haahahah. Does she have glass snake eyes fitted? They do look like reptile eyes. Keep up the great work. Love your updates.
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Hi Cherry.
Nice to hear from you. Thanks for nice comment. I'll say hi to Eddi and Max. for you. They love the attention.
Take care
Dan
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OMG, that is just fantastic Dan, I love seeing the transformation! so kind for you to share it with us, always gives me so many ideas, thanks!
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Hi Jules,
I'm glad you find this useful. Good luck on your projects. And you are certainly welcome!
Happy Holidays.
Dan
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aweeeeosome, i cant wait to see the finished piece
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Hey Raygun,
Nice to hear from you! Yes, I really want to see it finished as well. Thank you for popping by.
Dan
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This is coming along great.I like how you do the wings.I have learned so much from you and your books!
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Hi Mona,
I hope all is well with you. I'm glad you like the wings. They were a real challenge. Now, trying to paint them the way I want them will be a challenge too. But if it were all easy, who'd want to do it? Right?
Thanks for stopping by.
Dan
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Hi Dan! I really like those wings, they are fantastic! But I was wondering what kind of cloth you use, because I like making things of paper mache, and I want to try it with the cloth. Thanks!
Keep making such a lovely things, I really like the butterfly!!!
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Hi Jelina,
Thank you for the nice comment. I use old bedsheets for cloth, the older the better. I get them at thrift stores (and from friends). Cotton is best.
Good luck on your art. I'd love to see some.
Take care. Pop back later when she has her skin (and some other secret features which I haven't talked about).
Dan
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Hello Dan, I am new to your site.You are amazing. I have recently become disabled and have nothing but time on my hands so have been delving into my artistic nature. I am currently working on a dragon fly done in paper mache and would like to ask you if you can give me any pointers on the wings. I tried the cotton sheets but I can't quite get that iridescent quality I am looking for. Would love and appreciate your idea's on this project.
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Hi Tammie,
Nice to meet you. I understand what you mean about the wings. Cloth wouldn't really work for those wings. I'm not exactly sure what would work. I've never made insect wings. It seems like you'd need something that is somewhat transparent. Maybe rice paper with PVA glue over it. Rice paper is thin, but maybe with the glue pervading the fibers it would be strong enough. Other than that, I'm not sure what I would do.
Sorry. Good luck on that project. It sounds really fun.
Dan
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I just wanted to add that I have done extensive research on paper mache and you are by far the best I have come across.
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You are too kind Tammie. Thank you for the nice comment. I'll do some more thinking about the wings. I'll let you know if something pops into my head. The only other thing might be very light cloth, like they use for juggling. I'll bet you can find something at a fabric store. Then it would be a matter of finding the right paint.
Dan
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