A Paper Mache Dark Butterfly- hands and feet
Hi again. Yes it's been a while. I'm currently working on this project and two commissions. Had to do some work on the commissions before I could move on with my girl. Before I get to her hands and feet...I've had a few questions about the tentacle hair. Just want to show you what her head looked like as I planted her hair. I just cut a bunch of holes in her head. I squirted hot glue into the holes before pushing in the strands.
Now on to hands and feet. These were much harder to make than I thought they would be. The proportions had to be exactly right. First, I started by twisting paper around pieces of wire clothes hanger to make fingers and toes. Then I crumpled a small wad of paper and added a finger. I wrapped masking tape on either side.
Now on to hands and feet. These were much harder to make than I thought they would be. The proportions had to be exactly right. First, I started by twisting paper around pieces of wire clothes hanger to make fingers and toes. Then I crumpled a small wad of paper and added a finger. I wrapped masking tape on either side.
I continued adding each finger until I got a full hand.
I added wads of paper to the thumb and other parts of the palm. I pretty much copied my own hand. Then I hot glued some claw-like fingernails to the end of the fingers.
Now I know what you are thinking. I shouldn't have modeled her hands after mine. She's long and thin. My hands would look too wide. And they did. So I cut them off and made them thinner. I just cut out some slices between the fingers and squished the hand back together. This is as close to surgery as you get in the paper mache world. I made the feet the same way I made the hands. But this time I made the feet longer proportionally than my own.
Like with the hands, I added some flesh to the under side of the foot. I put them on the butterfly and added some nice toenails.
Then I added my cloth mache and was finished with these appendages.
More to come soon. We are having one of the biggest snowstorms we've ever experienced in Seattle. I've been out of school almost a week. Unbelievable. What do they say? When buried in snow, do art. Thank you for stopping by!
Posted by Dan the Monster-man at 1/19/2012 11:40 AM 
Categories: Paper Mache Dark Butterfly
Tags: paper mache papier mache sculpture insects instructional video butterfly arts and crafts
Categories: Paper Mache Dark Butterfly
Tags: paper mache papier mache sculpture insects instructional video butterfly arts and crafts
Wow, Thank you for the in sight on how you went about putting more humanoid hands and together. The progression of the butterfly has been most surprising. I am eager to see your next update.
THe snow storm has us at home with all three kids, although the snow keeps me too busy to get out and create. I am glad to see you are getting the time to.
take care Dan.
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Hi Roz,
Thanks for stopping by. I'm glad you like the hands. I love the snow. Time to do art. But it's wonderful to play with the kids too. I miss the days when I'd take my little girls out to play in the snow.
Talk to you later.
Dan
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Great hands/feet. My studio is revamped for a fund raiser this Saturday. Lunch/talk about my work. It will be Mexican lunch(catered) served on real ceramic plates with non plastic flatware. I always enjoy talking to people about my work and collection in my studio. No bad weather here BUT we need moisture. Keep warm while you work on your terrific pieces! Dee
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Great replica of your hand but got nervous when you began the foot. Thanks for not showing the comparison. Good feets too. 'Appreciate the serial tutorial. Very interesting and creates anticipation for the next one.
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Thank you Joe. I'm glad you like the build. I appreciate your nice comment.
Take care
Dan
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She is looking wonderful, Dan. Thank you for sharing your process. I especially like the part where you cut her hands off to make changes. It's nice to know that an artist as skilled and experienced as you has to reconsider occasionally. Gives hope to artists like me (always reconsidering). As always, beautiful work.
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Hello Willow,
You always have something nice to say. I like being in our mutual admiration society. It makes me feel good.
Hope you are enjoying all this snow. I'm fine with it melting now. It did it's duty. Got a week off of school to do art. Nothing better. My school email is out again. They can't seem to keep the servers working.
I'm glad you liked the surgery. Not sure if I'll show the breast reconstruction.
Talk to you later.
Dan
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Looking good - those fingernails/toenails are pretty intimidating!
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Hi Phyl,
I actually changed the fingernails again. Now they are more claw-like than fingernail-like. It's very nice to hear from you.
Dan
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Forgot to say - why are you getting our snow? We're in the Adirondacks and have practically NO snow. Can't imagine being out of school that long - we never have more than one day off per snowstorm.
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Hi again Phyl,
This is extremely unusual. I don't ever remember getting an entire week off of school. This is a first. Today it's back to normal temps, 45 degrees. I'm fine with it melting. It's the weekend after all.
See you.
Dan
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Wow, she's gonna be quite the character, am I seeing alot of black in the finished color here? lol... Can not WAIT to see her!! Dan, It looks like you wrapped the hair stands in sheet/glue before you stuck them in, correct? Do you do anything further for the scalp or does the hot glue gobs not really show after painting anyway? (Or perhaps you don't get glue gobs?) As usual, thanks for sharing Dan! Are we going to see you finished commissions too?
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Hi Suz,
I did wrap very small gauge wire with cloth for the hair. After I stuck them is with hot glue I tried to add a few small pieces of cloth to the scalp. It was a real pain and didn't work very well. I did that only for places where you could see a lot of scalp. The rest I just brushed on layers of glue (with a very small brush). It will be fine after it's painted. She will definitely be dark colors, with lots of black accents. Her eyes will really stand out.
I'm taking photos of the commissions as I go, well, when I remember. I'll show them if I like them. As you know, sometimes photos just don't do the pieces justice.
Hope you are doing art Suz.
See you
Dan
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Hi Dan!
I am writting you from Spain, thanks to "Saint" Internet this evening i got to know your work and have to tell you that it is amazing!!! you are a great artist! from now on i'll follow your job
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Hello Laura,
It is nice to meet you. I'm glad that you found my blog. Thank you for your nice comment. I always appreciate the support.
Hope to hear from you again.
Dan
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I am kinda new to paper mache sculpting. I am 51 and for most of my life I like many others have seen this medium as something for kids. I have however been crafting most of my life from RC plane jewelry making to wood working and carving. After finding your website I was very impressed with not only you talent but that you where willing to show how to sculpt with paper mache. Ok so I just finished my frist sculptur and I think I'm hooked. I know this because I haven't touched my plane or worked in my wood shop. I have already started on my next scupture and more in mind. Think you for your willingness to teach this medium.
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Hello Patrick,
Thank you for the nice comment! I'm glad to be of service. I do think this is a great medium for self expression. The notion that it's for kids has haunted me my entire art career. When I tell people I work in paper mache I can see in their mind's eye a vision of a paper mache pig made with a balloon. So I'll say that I make dragons and I know they see a paper mache pig-like dragon made using a balloon. Oh well. We know better.
I love to post photos of people's paper mache art on my site. If you are ever interested just send me photos at dan@gourmetpapermache.com or dan.reeder@lakesideschool.org (my day job). I'd love to see what you are making. Either way, nice to meet you. And thank you again for your kind words.
Dan
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Hello! Totally inspired me to try this! Sorry i really didn't know where to begin but i am going to try a trophy and i was wondering where you buy the eyes! they just make it so much better!
Thank you
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Hello Daniel,
Nice to meet you. There are several companies where you can buy glass eyes. Just google "taxidermy glass eyes" and you'll find them all.
Good luck!
Dan
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Hey Dan it is nice to see you prompt reply to my post. As you said what people see in thier mind's eye I got a taste of that last night. As I was finishing up my project a teen looking for his little brother that was in my home playing with my stepson came to fetch him home. I had just finished air brushing my project "a lizzard" named Lee Zard in my garage when he came in and was just blown away that it was paper mache. He to only seen it in the ballon state. I have pics of it and will be emailing them to you.
Patrick
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Ok, Ok. You can do a paper mache dark butterfly, but I think, can you make a paper mache gorgoyle?.
I think you can do.
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Hello James,
Indeed I can do a gargoyle.
Dan
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Increible
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Thank you James! I appreciate it.
Dan
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Hello Dan,
I stumbled upon some of your videos on youtube and was amazed by your work! I ordered a copy of your monsters book and I'm using your techniques to make a demon mask for a masquerade party at school this weekend - you have some really great techniques!
Hope you survived the snow - I go to medical school in Yakima WA and even we got a foot or two! crazy...
Thanks for your imaginative work and reminding everyone that we can cut loose and make something fantastic and/or ugly once in a while
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Hi Alana,
Thank you so much for your comment. I appreciate your kind words. It's nice to meet you. I remember selling you the book. I'm glad you were able to put it to good use.
Take care. Have fun at your party!
Keep in touch.
Dan
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Dan the Monster-man, Your website is very educational and inspiring, your artwork is fantastic. I was disappointed that several of the instructional videos will not run, they only stream. I tried refreshing the page with no luck. Any suggestions?
Thank you
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Hi Debbie,
Thank you for your nice comment. I really don't know why those videos won't run. You said that several didn't. Does that mean that a couple did? They are all the same format. They are flv format (flash). Perhaps you need to upgrade your flash. I think you can do that online. I haven't posted those on Youtube which is why they are just loaded onto my site which converts everything to flash. I have to warn you, I haven't yet finished the series. I keep meaning to, but just haven't gotten around to it. Maybe this summer.
Sorry about that.
Dan
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Hey there Dan, I'm a big fan of your work and recently bought the dragon handbook. Very excited to get started!!! But before I do there's another project that I need to complete (or just start). I'm decoupaging a mural on our dining room wall and need a bit of advice. The base of my mural is a paper bag-like material (OK, it's paper bags) and to adhere them I was thinking of using a paper mache paste instead of wallpaper glue-which doesn't even stick to my fingers, and it bubbled terribly on a sample piece (on unprimered wall). My other option, of course, is Elmer's Glue, which I plan on using to adhere my paper for the mural. I'm leaning toward the flour-water mixture because it's more cost effective (and I'm cheap), but I'm used to working with both. What do you think???? Thanks, Lyn
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Hi Lyn,
The flour and water mixture won't dry clear of course. I don't know if you'll see the paste once you've put the paper on. I think I would use Elmer's glue just because it is less organic. And it would dry faster. That's just a suggestion though. I'm not totally clear about how you want the base to look.
Sorry, not sure that helped at all.
Good luck.
Dan
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Oh! Your Dark Butterfly is awesomely wicked!! Looks like something you'd see in the movies!! Looking forward to following more of your work-- very inspiring!! Lyn
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Thank you Lyn. It's nice to hear from you. Good luck on your projects.
Dan
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Thanks for getting back to me so soon. The base will be completely covered w/the mosaic decoupage. I FINALLY found a place in town that sells Elmer's Glue by the gallon!! YIPPEE!! Took the better part of the day. I think you're right about the Elmer's, I'm going to go w/that. Thanks again!
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