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How to Make a Giant Paper Mache Art brush

Easy Paper Mache Art brush

giant brushJoin me to create a giant paper mache art brush from card board boxes, newspaper, and simple paper mache paste.

3 simple steps to create your own unique art brush for gifts, decorations, props or more.

Quick List

Cardboard box

Recycled Newspaper

Masking Tape

Paints and Paint Brushes

Glue Gun (optional)

H20 and Rags

 

Go Time

1 Creating Your Art brush Armature

Start by drawing a template onto cardboard and cutting it for a art brush base. Cut different sizes for lots of choices.

 

Wad up newspaper and place onto your art brush to build it up. Tape your paper in place with masking tape. You want the look of an art painting brush, so mash on your paper until you get the desired look.

 

Cover your art brush armature with a plastic bag; this will help prevent the cardboard from warping.

2 Paper Mache Strips and Paste

Cover the art brush with paper mache strips dipped in your homemade paper mache paste. You will need to apply 3 to 4 layers of newspaper strips over the art brush before stopping and letting your art brush dry.

giant brush3

After applying the first 4 layers of news strips set your art brush aside and let it dry over night. (Could take longer depending your climate) Your art brush must be completely dried before adding more wet paper mache strips.

After these strips have dried continue using paper mache strips and paste to cover your art brush with at least 10 more layers. All 10 layers does not have to be done in one setting but once you stop for the day the armature must be allowed to completely dry before starting a new paper mache stripping session. Below you will find the recipes and steps.

Quick Link to Paper Mache Paste Recipe

Drying all those layers of newsprint strips will probably take more than 24 hours just depends on your weather outside.

If you need once the art brush has dried you can lightly sand with sandpaper and wipe off.

 

Also, you can use paper clay instead of paper mache paste. Cover the entire brush with 1/4 inch layer of clay, let dry and continue on as you would paper mache.

 

3. Paint Your Art brush

Paint a white coat of paint on your art brush to give you a white canvas to start painting on. I used acrylic paint as my base coat.

Once the base coat as dried paint with acrylics anyway you like. Let this completely dry.

You must seal your paper mache pieces with varnish for protection. Varnish comes in a spray can in gloss or stain, spray on 3 to 4 coats and let it dry.

Just one way to make a giant paper mache art brush; I hope you have been inspired to create your own Paper Mache art brush and would love to see photos.

We would love to hear from you at the studio, you can leave your suggestions and comments below.

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