Whimsy Paper Mache Links/paper macheing, how to's, ideals

DIY Paper Mache Long Tusked Walrus Head

Impressive Paper Mache Walrus Taxidermy

Finished Walrus Head for decorating

Using recyclables around the house and a little paper mache we will make a unique walrus.
Walrus are large animated mammals that offer endless possibilities. By focusing in on their prominent features such as their tusks, whiskers, and bulkiness you can't go wrong creating your own walrus head.
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Link to our website and article with photographs:

Quick List
Cardboard box
Recycled Newspaper
Paper Mache Paste
Plastic bags
Masking Tape
Paints and Paint Brushes
Glue Gun (optional)
H20 and Rags
Music (optional)

1 Creating Your Walrus Armature
DIY Paper Mache Long Tusked Walrus Head
Begin stuffing a plastic bag with recyclable newspaper until it is compact and full. Use masking tape to shape and form into a perfect super fat walrus head. We used two plastic bags about the same size stuffed full to create the head and neck. We tape those bags together to give him a bulky head neck thing.

Stuff two small bags for the walrus cheeks and tape to the front of the head close together.

Plaque
Grab cardboard and cut whatever shape backing you want. Tape your walrus armature into place onto your plaque.

Covering your armatures with plastic bags helps prevent the cardboard from warping.
2 Paper Mache and Paper Clay
Cover the walrus armature with 3 layers of newspaper soaked in paper mache paste. Work out the air bubbles and lay flat onto your armature.
Once you have covered your walrus they must completely dry before adding more wet paper mache or paper clay, which ever you wish to use.
Clay or More Paper Mache
Now cover your walrus with more paper mache paste and newspaper or use homemade paper clay. Both recipes are on the channel; feel free to check them out.
Paper Mache: Cover with 8 to 9 more layers of paper mache strips and let it completely dry before moving on to paint. If your walrus are not strong enough add more strips and let those completely dry. After each session of paper mache your armature must completely dry before moving to your next step. Quick Link to Paper Mache Paste Recipe: http://goo.gl/BH5lgM
Paper Clay: Cover the entire walrus with 1/4 inch layer of paper clay and let that completely dry before painting. Paper Clay Recipe: http://goo.gl/xoTFbJ

Using the clay is a time saver for the studio and we love working in the handmade clay. Apply with your hands and smooth with paper mache paste. You can let your clay sit for an hour or so and go back over with the paste for a smoother finish.

Question: Can I skip the paper mache and put paper clay directly onto my armature?
Answer: Yes, if your armature can support the weight of the paper clay without the support of the paper mache strips and paste.

If you need once the walrus have dried you can lightly sand with sandpaper and wipe off before painting.

3. Paint Your Giant Walrus
Paint a primer on paper mache or the paper clay finish before using acrylic paints, primer will save you time and money.
The paper clay absorbs the paint like no other medium we use, so we recommend that you always paint a primer coat of white flat house paint onto your paper clay sculptures in this case your paper clay walrus. It usually takes 3 to 4 coats of primer which will also give you a smoother surface for painting.
Once the primer coating has dried we use Daler Rowney acrylics. Paint anyway you're like and let your acrylics completely dry.
You must seal your paper mache pieces with varnish for protection. Varnish comes in a spray can or paint can in gloss or stain, spray or brush on 3 to 4 coats and let it dry.
On our most prized sculptures we always brush the varnish on, in my opinion it always looks more professional.
Summary
We so enjoyed sharing one approach to creating paper clay walrus that are perfectly animated and would look beautiful in any room in your home.
I hope you have been inspired to create your own Walrus and we would love to see photos, which you can post to our facebook page.
Thank you for stopping by the studio and have a great weekend.
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