Papier-mâché translates from French as "torn paper" or "chewed paper". The art of making dolls using this technology goes back to the 16th century, when in European countries craftsmen created real masterpieces from torn paper, glue and paints. Today, papier-mâché technology is a great way to work with children. Indeed, with the help of these figures, you can create a whole home puppet theater, which will allow you not only to acquire additional skills, but also to develop your imagination.
It is necessary
napkins torn into pieces, newspapers, white paper, PVA glue or natural paste, plasticine, clay, petroleum jelly, paints
Instructions
Step 1
Making a papier-mâché doll yourself is relatively easy. Even younger schoolchildren can successfully handle this technology with a little help from adults. But such an occupation brings a lot of joy.
Step 2
There are two main ways to create papier-mâché dolls: 1) sculpting figurines from soft mass, consisting of torn paper and glue; 2) gluing pieces of paper in layers on a previously prepared form. It is important to take into account that both technologies take time to dry the products and patience at work. To create dolls, the second method is preferable - gluing paper to a blank, since this allows you to create blanks with the required characteristics in advance.
Step 3
When creating dolls, depending on their purpose, papier-mâché can be made from one head and handles, or a figurine as a whole. For a puppet theater and toys, it is more convenient to make paper only the head, and sew the doll's body from fabric. In this case, it will be more mobile and resistant to destruction.
Step 4
To create a blank, on which the paper will subsequently be glued, use clay or plasticine. The blank is molded into the shape of the desired figure or face. After drying (hardening) of the workpiece, it is covered with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, and then torn pieces of paper impregnated with an adhesive are applied to it in layers. For the lower, base layers, it is more convenient to use newsprint, which is looser and, when wet, takes the desired shape better. Flour (starch) paste or PVA-based glue is used as an adhesive solution. The top layer of papier-mâché is always made of white, thick enough paper, on which you can then apply paint.
Step 5
After completely pasting the workpiece in several dense layers, the product is put aside for a couple of days until the paper is completely dry. It must be remembered that the figures should not be dried near heating devices or ovens so that the paper layer does not wrinkle and become brittle.
Step 6
The completely dried figure is carefully cut along the side seams and the blank form is taken out. The remaining two hollow halves of the doll are folded back and glued along the seam with pieces of paper soaked in glue. Then the doll is dried again. The dried figurine is painted with water-based paints - watercolors or gouache. After the paint dries, a wig is made of thread or artificial hair for the doll and clothes are sewn. If initially only the head and hands were made from papier-mâché, the body is additionally sewn and stuffed.
