Papier-mâché from toilet paper: how to prepare the mass itself and make a couple of wonderful figures. How to make a papier-mâché figurine with your own hands Features of making dolls

Papier-mâché attracts attention with its originality and versatility. It is enough to have a lot of newspapers that no one needs, and at home you can make beautiful things, light and very durable, from simple material. How to make papier-mâché from newspaper will be discussed below.

A little history

Papier-mâché is a special, homogeneous mass obtained from newspapers or other waste paper with the addition of glue.

Translated from French, "papier-mâché" means "chewed paper." This mass was first used in France in the 16th century when making dolls. And only during the reign of Peter I, papier-mâché appeared in Russia. And at the beginning of the 19th century, paper mass began to be used for industrial purposes.

Methods for preparing the mass

How to make papier-mâché from newspapers with your own hands? The mass for making products can be prepared as follows:

1. The first method is to use layer-by-layer technology. Small strips or pieces of paper are glued onto a previously prepared plaster or clay base. Paper pieces are glued in a chaotic manner on top of each other, creating up to a hundred layers. It is very important that the parts are coated with glue on both sides, which gives the craft strength. After every 3-4 layers glued, the product must be dried.
2. The second way is how to make papier-mâché from newspapers. The mass for the product is made from paper pulp. Newspaper or paper is torn into small pieces and filled with hot water for ten hours. After this, the resulting mass is heated again to completely destroy the fibers. The water is drained through a colander, and the paper mass is beaten using a mixer, obtaining a homogeneous composition. An adhesive mass (glue or paste) is added to the resulting mixture. After this, a plastic mass is obtained that is easy to work with.
3. The third method is most often used in industrial settings. Cardboard sheets, coated with glue, are placed on top of each other and pressed tightly. Then the product is cut out, sanded and painted. This technology is used to produce durable elements.

Papier-mâché material

Working with papier-mâché begins with preparing the material. For beginners in this type of needlework, it is best to use newspaper, because this raw material is always at hand, soaks well, and the product is durable. Other quick-soaking materials are also suitable for work:

• paper napkins;
• toilet paper;
• egg packaging;
• cardboard (plain and corrugated).

Ready-made glue is used as an adhesive composition, most often it is PVA, which is diluted with water in equal parts. Sometimes for homemade crafts a paste made from flour or starch is used. The correct thickness of such a composition is selected depending on the type of craft and existing experience working with it.

Let's look at how to make papier-mâché from newspaper below. To work, you need a mold and oil, preferably vegetable oil, with which you need to lubricate the outer surface to prevent the mass from sticking to the base. For external decoration, varnish and acrylic paints are useful. Sometimes, instead of paint, gouache is mixed with PVA glue in equal quantities. This is convenient because the prepared composition can be easily washed off from the craft before it dries completely, and after drying there is no erosion even when covered with other layers.

How to make papier-mâché from paper and newspapers?

Work begins with preparing the paste. Boil a small amount of water in a separate bowl. Mix 2-3 tablespoons of starch or flour with cold water in a container until a liquid, homogeneous mass is obtained. Pour the resulting solution into boiling water in a thin stream and continue boiling until thickened. The thickness of the paste will depend on the amount of flour or starch added. For work, instead of paste, you can use glue. To prepare it, just dilute the glue with the same amount of water and mix thoroughly to form a homogeneous mass.

After preparing the paste, begin preparing paper or newspapers, tearing them into small pieces. This is painstaking work, on which subsequent work on the craft depends. Finely torn material is poured with hot water and left to infuse for several hours. After draining the excess liquid through a sieve, grind the paper with a mixer and bring its consistency to a homogeneous mass. This technique is always used and does not depend on the material used.

The resulting composition is mixed with glue until a mass similar to plasticine is formed. After this, the finished mixture is placed in a plastic bag and placed in a cool place to rest.

Papier-mâché using newspaper material

• Before starting to make crafts, lay down cellophane film or newspapers at the workplace so as not to stain the surface, since the glue is difficult to wash off.
• To ensure the strength of the product, it is necessary to make a large number of layers (this is especially important when making plates).
• You should work with gloves so as not to damage the skin of your hands and to prevent the product from sticking to them.
• Don’t be afraid to experiment; this is the only way to find convenient material to work with.
• How to make papier-mâché from newspaper? It should be torn by hand, without using scissors, only in this case the bond of the fibers is broken and the mass becomes homogeneous.
• To easily remove the product from the mold, do not forget to coat its surface with oil.
• In order for the product to be white, it is enough to make only the last two layers of white paper. At the end of the work, the craft can be painted in absolutely any color. Varnishing will protect products from moisture.
• The next layer should be made only after the previous one has dried.
• Painting should be done after the product has completely dried.

How to make papier-mâché from newspaper? Execution technique for beginners

The papier-mâché technique is a fairly broad subject for creativity. There are several different techniques for making crafts. The simplest of them is to cover the mold with pieces of newspaper. This is the most suitable technique for beginners.

For crafts, use thin and soft paper that absorbs water well. The most accessible material is old unwanted newspapers. They are torn into small pieces, and they are used to paste over the finished form, which can serve as a plate, ball or vase. Beginning craftsmen should choose the simplest ready-made models. After all, after final gluing and drying, the shell will have to be cut to remove it from the mold. It is very difficult to remove the surface layer from complex figures. After removal, it is carefully glued, painted and varnished.

It should be noted that the first layer of newspaper, pre-moistened in water, is simply applied to the model. All subsequent layers are glued with paste or PVA glue. Before gluing the next layer, you need to dry the previous one. Paint the finished craft with paints that have an acrylic base, as they are durable. To preserve the product, a varnish coating is applied. How to make papier-mâché from newspaper for beginners? You need to work with simple things, gradually complicating the technique and using complex forms as you gain experience.

Experience of previous generations

This very old type of needlework is popular because it is as simple as possible to perform. It does not require any special artistic talent; everything is done easily and simply. All you need to do is find a base from which an exact copy will be made. Wrap the product in film and cover it with small pieces of newspaper. Let's take a closer look at how to make papier-mâché from newspaper. Step by step instructions:

1. Take a simple product that has a simple shape.
2. Wrap it in cling film.
3. Shred newspaper. A complex product shape requires smaller pieces of paper than a simple one.
4. Dilute the glue with water 1:1. Apply up to six layers of paper coated with glue to the product so that there is a slight overlap between the pieces.
5. Coat the last layer with PVA glue without adding water. Dry the product well.
6. Using a utility knife, cut the shell vertically and carefully remove the mold.
7. Cover the cut with tape, laying it across, and glue pieces of newspaper on top.
8. Dry the product well.
9. Color the finished product as you wish.
10. For durability, apply a layer of varnish on top.

Making a plate

Any papier-mâché crafts can be used to decorate your home and be a wonderful gift for friends and loved ones. Let's look at how to make papier-mâché plates from newspaper.

To work you will need:

• any plate;
• PVA glue, it is best suited in this case;
• newspaper, torn into small pieces;
• saucer with water.

Step by step instructions:

1. Wrap the plate in soft plastic wrap so that after finishing work you can easily remove the craft.
2. Moisten the pieces of newspaper with water and place them so that they follow the shape of the plate. The inside does not need to be glued. You should not bend the edges either.
3. Remove any air bubbles that appear by bringing them to the edge of a piece of newspaper.
4. After the first layer is ready, coat it with glue. Pieces of newspaper will no longer need to be wetted if the glue is diluted a little with water.
5. After every 3-4 layers, take a break to dry the product. The layers should be carefully smoothed with a finger dipped in glue to remove all air bubbles.
6. If air is detected in previously glued layers, they must be pierced with a needle, pressed and covered with glue.
7. Then continue applying subsequent layers. The more there are, the stronger the plate.
8. After the product is ready, dry it, carefully trim the edges and remove from the mold.
9. It is good to grease the top layer with wood mastic, and then paint it with white for easy application of any paint.

Papier-mâché ball

It was discussed above how to make papier-mâché from newspaper.

Making a ball at home is not difficult. For this you will need: newspaper, balloon, paste and brush. Then you need to do the following:

• cut with scissors or tear strips of newspaper about 2.5 cm wide with your hands;
• inflate a balloon of the required size;
• dip a strip of newspaper in glue and remove excess adhesive mixture from it by running your fingers from top to bottom;
• place it on the ball and smooth it out thoroughly;
• completely cover the ball with stripes and leave it until completely dry;
• pierce the ball and carefully pull it out through a small hole;
• color it as you wish.

Features of work

The main condition for obtaining a beautiful and neat item is high-quality drying and maintaining proportions.

When drying, the product should not be touched with hands, moved, or pierced with sharp objects to determine readiness. Raw papier-mâché crafts should not be squeezed or dropped. It is better to make crafts on a tray, glass or board so as not to damage them when moving. The product may accidentally break; then it is dried, glued together, and defects at the joint are sanded.

Conclusion

At first, paper pulp was used only for making dolls, but over time they began to create dishes, toys, souvenirs, and decoration items from it. Papier-mâché has found wide application in the theatrical world; various dummies are made from it. Instructions on how to make papier-mâché from newspaper are described in detail above.

DIY crafts are usually associated in our minds with children's creativity. However, now many adults devote their free time to this activity, happily creating interesting and original things. It is this trend that we owe for the renewed interest in the ancient technique of making decorative elements using the papier-mâché technique.

DIY crafts are usually associated in our minds with children's creativity

Directions of paper creativity

Initially, papier-mâché gifts were only available to aristocrats

The origin of papier-mâché occurred in France. This happened at the end of the 16th century. Translated from the language of the pioneers, this hobby is translated as “torn paper” or “chewed paper.” Initially, dolls were made from paper pulp mixed with glue. Then snuff boxes, music boxes and so on. Nowadays, there are two areas of technology:

• crafts made from paper pulp mixed with glue and paste (this allows you to sculpt three-dimensional figures, like from dough);
• products made from paper strips glued to a base (this method is called mashing).

They are labor intensive. In the first case, it is enough to prepare the mass and, having given it a shape, dry it well. And in the second - carefully, layer by layer, place strips of paper on a base made of cardboard, wood or plastic. Whatever method you choose, you can make dolls, jewelry, boxes, souvenirs, masks, etc. from papier-mâché.

This is interesting. The huge rotating globe used by Harry Potter in the film of the same name was made by a Scottish craftsman from papier-mâché. Following the success of the Boy Wizard films, the set was auctioned off for $20,000.

Photo gallery: papier-mâché dolls and figurines

Such a girl could be an appropriate gift for the beginning of the school year.

To create a colored item, you need to carefully paint all the details and glue the cat’s whiskers

Unpainted items occupy a special place among crafts made from toilet paper.

Initially, papier-mâché meant making dolls

These cats can be used to decorate a shelf in your closet.

This craft will take about 8-10 hours to dry.

What kind of paper is used

For papier-mâché it is better to use the cheapest toilet paper

For papier-mâché, you can use any paper. But it is most convenient to use:

• newspapers,
• cardboard,
• toilet paper.

Let’s look at making crafts based on papier-mâché from toilet paper in detail.

Making a lot of papier-mâché from toilet paper

For voluminous crafts, you need a kind of paper dough, which is easiest to prepare from the most useful paper - toilet paper. The convenience of this material is explained by the fact that it soaks well in water. Let's consider several options for preparing papier-mâché mass.

You can prepare the mass for papier-mâché more than once

First method: paste based on flour or starch

1. Tear two rolls of toilet paper into small pieces, pour in ½ liter of hot water and let sit for 5 to 8 hours.
2. Preparing the paste. Fill a saucepan of suitable volume (2 liters) with water, put it on the fire, stirring.
3. In a glass, mix cold water with 4 tbsp. l. starch (or flour), after boiling, remove from heat.
4. Meanwhile, we bring the paper pulp to condition. Put it on the fire and let it boil.
5. Using a blender or food processor, mix the pieces of paper until smooth.
6. Mix the mixture with the paste and let stand for 20 minutes until the mixture thickens. The material for papier-mâché crafts is ready.

This amount is enough for 2-3 medium-sized crafts, and making them is a pleasure, as the dough turns out elastic and soft. How long will it take for the finished figures to dry? Approximately 3–4 days. If you doubt your patience, then use a different recipe.

Second method: use PVA glue or putty

If you add more glue, the material will turn out to be slightly rubbery. This is convenient when making round-shaped crafts. This amount of papier-mâché is enough for 1 medium-sized craft, which will dry in 1–2 days. If you make more of the finished material, don't worry: you can put it in a plastic bag and store it in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks. To work, you will need to heat it in a water bath.

Preparing a thicker mass - the third method

To obtain a mass resembling plasticine or clay, add wallpaper glue to the mixture.

Video: how to prepare a lot of papier-mâché

Master class on crafts made from papier-mâché using toilet paper

Before starting work, you need to prepare everything you need so as not to be distracted during the process.

Making crafts from paper dough does not require a frame; the creation process is reminiscent of modeling from clay or plasticine. The only difference is that the finished item must be dried. But this is not the most difficult thing. The fact is that, despite its apparent lightness, it is quite difficult to make small details, for example, faces, from the mass of papier-mâché. So the complexity of step-by-step instructions will be determined by precisely this parameter: the presence or absence of small elements.

Let's make a snowman

This is an excellent craft for those who are just beginning their acquaintance with the papier-mâché technique - there are few details.

Materials:

• A mass of papier-mâché (from 1–2 rolls of toilet paper), prepared using PVA glue;
• A couple of small pieces of cotton wool;
• PVA glue;
• Shish kebab skewer;
• A piece of cardboard;
• Acrylic paints (white, black, orange, gray, brown);
• Tassels.

Instructions:

Making a souvenir - Babu Yaga

Despite its small size, this craft requires certain skills in working with papier-mâché, since you will have to sculpt the character’s face.

Materials:

• A mass of papier-mâché (from 2–3 rolls) based on wallpaper glue;
• Pieces of fabric, woolen threads for finishing (Baba Yaga’s clothes and her hair);
• PVA glue;
• Beads for eyes;
• Wooden skewer for detailing.

Instructions:

​ Video: papier-mâché Christmas tree decorations

Working with papier-mâché from toilet paper does not require any special skills. The main thing is to make the right composition for modeling and let it reach the desired condition. When making crafts, it is also important to remember that you should not immediately take on products with many small parts; it is better to start with something simpler in order to get used to the technology of creating original things using the ancient papier-mâché technique.

Working with papier-mâché is characterized by the availability and low cost of materials. In addition, working with papier-mâché is simple and easy. What is papier-mâché? This is a paper pulp consisting of small pieces of paper with which you can model various things. The techniques for creating papier-mâché will be discussed below. What is the history of the creation of papier-mâché?

Judging by the name, we can say that the birthplace of the papier-mâché technique is France, which means “chewed or torn paper.” If we delve in more detail into the history of the emergence of papier-mâché, it turns out that already in Ancient China this technique was used in the manufacture of military armor. Gradually, the papier-mâché technique from China began to spread to other countries. Only in the 17th century did Europe learn about this type of craft. It was at this time that French craftsmen began to make dolls and toys from this mass, and later other household and decorative items. In Russia, the method of creating objects from paper pulp began to spread at the end of the 17th - beginning of the 18th centuries. For some time, the papier-mâché technique lost its popularity, but in the 21st century, interest in papier-mâché was revived. In addition, when making products using this method, modern materials and decorative elements began to be used, which made the process of creating objects from papier-mâché very exciting.

What is papier-mâché made from?

Using the papier-mâché technique, you can make a variety of objects that decorate our everyday life: dolls, masks, photo frames, boxes, souvenir figurines, decorative vases and plates, Christmas tree decorations, lampshades, architectural stucco, even jewelry and furniture. Papier-mâché is also actively used in theaters to create attributes for performances.

Let's take a closer look at how to make papier-mâché.

First, let's look at the different ways to prepare papier-mâché:

1 way- This is the sequential application of pieces of torn paper on top of each other in several layers. This method is called mashing.

How to work with materials using this technique?

The desired item is taken, which will be used as a mold for the future product, and treated with a thin layer of Vaseline or vegetable oil in those places where pieces of newspapers or other paper will be placed. If the form is convenient, then instead of Vaseline or oil, you can use cling film. This must be done so that the finished and dried papier-mâché mass can be easily separated from the mold.

Then the first layer, consisting of pieces of paper pre-moistened in water, is applied to the prepared surface. After the first layer has dried, the second layer is laid out in the same way with paper.

It is recommended to dip pieces of paper in glue only from the third layer. To avoid confusion as to whether all areas of the form are covered evenly, use a different color of paper for each layer. Layers can be laid out from 4-5 or more - depending on what product you are making and for what purposes you will use it. When applying pieces of paper, you need to make sure that they do not form creases, and carefully smooth out the resulting folds or bubbles with your fingers.

Before removing the finished product, it must be thoroughly dried.

Important point. If you used a complex mold from which it is not possible to remove the resulting mass, then you will have to cut this product with a sharp stationery knife and remove the mold. After this, it is necessary to glue the separated parts of papier-mâché together, apply pieces of paper in two layers at the joints, and then cover the entire surface of the product with the final layer for reliability and leveling the surface.

2 way- this is the formation of a voluminous sticky mass by mixing the adhesive composition with soft, loose paper. This method is called paper pulping. Creating products using this technique is reminiscent of modeling from clay or plasticine.

Watch the video of how paper pulp is created from egg trays:

To get paper pulp, you need to tear several sheets of newspaper, paper or cardboard, place it in a pan, add water, wait until everything is thoroughly soaked and put it on fire. Let it simmer for about half an hour. After the mass swells, it must be squeezed out of excess water and then turned into a homogeneous mixture using a blender or meat grinder.

The paper pulp for future products is ready. It can be placed in an airtight container and stored for some time. Before use, mix the mass with glue or paste until it becomes elastic and evenly sticky. Some craftsmen also add a little gypsum or chalk and vegetable oil to the paper mixture for greater strength and elasticity.

The finished product dries naturally for 2-3 or more days, without the use of heating devices, to prevent cracking. After the papier-mâché product has completely dried, it must be treated with fine-grained sandpaper and only then begin decorating.

We looked at the most common ways to produce papier-mâché products. There is also an industrial method, when sheets of thick cardboard are glued together in several layers and pressed, and then processed. The resulting products are particularly durable.

What kind of paper is used in papier-mâché

To create papier-mâché, use: newspaper, any other loose paper, including toilet paper, napkins, paper handkerchiefs and cardboard, such as packaging. Good for creating paper pulp and egg cells.

For mashing, newspaper and any loose paper are most often used.

If the future product is supposed to be small, then the pieces of paper should be smaller, for example, starting from 1 x 1 cm, 2 x 2 cm. For large products, you can prepare larger pieces.

Why is it better to tear paper rather than cut it with scissors or a cutter? The fact is that the torn edges of the paper turn out to be more delicate and loose, they are easier to smooth with the surface, they are less noticeable on the product compared to cut paper, whose edges are more pronounced and dense.

To create paper pulp, not only loose paper in its various variations is used, but also cardboard.

Another important ingredient for creating papier-mâché is glue.

What glue should I use for papier-mâché?

Dry wallpaper glue, PVA and homemade paste are suitable for working with the papier-mâché technique.

Wallpaper glue It is usually used when mashing, when the form is pasted over several layers of pieces of paper.

Method for preparing wallpaper glue: pour the required amount of dry glue into a cup and fill with cold water to the required consistency. Leave the mixture to swell for 10 minutes. For optimal results, it is better to use the instructions included with the glue.

After preparing the glue, you can dip pre-prepared torn pieces of paper into the glue. After the piece of paper is sufficiently saturated, place it on the prepared surface of the mold. Wallpaper glue dries slower than PVA glue. Wallpaper glue has a significant advantage - it protects work from mold due to its composition.

PVA glue More often used for bases where particularly strong paper adhesion is required. It is also good as a hardener and a reliable fixative during and after applying the final layer of paper. PVA glue is also used to fasten individual parts of an object. It is also used for mashing. In the latter case, PVA glue can be diluted with water.

Both glues can cause skin irritation. Therefore, apply glue with a brush, or put rubber gloves on your hands before work.

A good material for creating papier-mâché is ordinary homemade paste, which is easy to prepare with your own hands: take 1 part flour and 3 parts water, mix well until lumps are removed and put on fire. The mass needs to be stirred constantly. Bring to a boil and remove from heat. Allow to cool, then use as directed.

The paste can be prepared and from starch, which needs to be slightly diluted with warm water. While stirring the resulting solution, pour boiling water into it in a thin stream. The result will be a liquid similar to jelly. This is the paste.

Remember that the paste is made from natural products, and therefore is subject to rapid deterioration if stored improperly and for a long time. The paste in a closed container can be stored in the refrigerator for several days. Therefore, prepare the paste in the required quantity, trying not to leave it in reserve.

The paste is used both when mashing and when creating mass for papier-mâché.

What other materials and tools are used to create papier-mâché products?

Let's look at it in order.

Let's start with the tools.

To create papier-mâché products, we may need the following tools:

Wide neck containers, where you can soak paper in water or glue.

Brushes of different sizes, shapes and thickness for applying glue and varnish.

Stationery knife, which may be needed for cutting the product for removing molds or cutting cardboard.

Fine sandpaper to prepare the product for subsequent decoration.

Balloons for use as molds. Such balls are very convenient to use and do not require cutting the product to remove the shapes. You just need to deflate the balloon and pull it out through the small hole using the attached thread. Seal the hole with pieces of paper and then cover the entire surface of the product with the final layer. It is recommended to apply at least 7-8 layers to the balloon so that the work acquires sufficient strength and does not crack after the balloon is deflated.

Mold stands, which can serve as cups, plates and other similar household items. Stands can be made from wire. To make complex shapes you may need wire and foil. For an example, see the photo:

Corrugated cardboard as a basis for covering it with papier-mâché. An example is a box made of reinforced corrugated cardboard, covered with papier-mâché. Or this figure:

White spirit and others solvents for cleaning brushes from acrylic or oil paints.

For subsequent decoration of papier-mâché products, the following tools and materials may be required:

Scissors, ruler, triangle, pencil, compass, tweezers, awl, rubber gloves.

Brushes of various thicknesses and shapes for applying paints and painting. Brushes can be either synthetic or natural, preferably soft.

Stencils for drawing drawings.

Sponges, flaps to eliminate deficiencies in decorating and polishing products.

Tracing paper to transfer the design to the surface to be decorated.

Adhesive tape. Paper-based masking tape is used as adhesive tape. It is used to connect various cardboard parts. It can also be used in the process of painting a product to form an even joint between areas of different colors.

Primer, which serves as the basis for further processing of the papier-mâché product. Polyacrylate-based gypsum or white acrylic paint is used as a primer for subsequent application of acrylic paint. For gouache and poster paint, you can use a base of white water-based or latex paint. It is recommended to apply the primer in 2 layers. Relief paste used to give the product a rough, rough surface or, conversely, a smooth and silky surface. It all depends on what purpose is pursued when making a product from papier-mâché. Apply the relief paste using a spatula - preferably a rubber one for more thorough treatment of hard-to-reach areas. Relief paste can be applied through a stencil. The result is a beautiful relief pattern. Acrylic paints can easily be applied on top of the paste. The relief paste hardens quickly and is highly durable and water resistant. Acrylic paints water-based have high coverage, dry quickly, and after drying create a waterproof surface. After drying, the paints do not require a final coat of varnish; they can even be wiped with a damp cloth. Glossy, matte and pearlescent acrylic paints are used in the work. Latex paints They contain rubber and are very convenient when working with stencils, as they do not spread (if the quality is good). After drying, they form a durable and elastic film.

Oil paints contain oils, so they take longer to dry than other paints. Such paints must be diluted with white spirit or other solvents. For faster drying, thinner varnishes are added to the paint. After applying and drying the oil paint, the surface is treated with varnish in 2 layers. You can use poster and watercolor paints, gouache. But they do not form a waterproof coating, so they require fixing with varnish after application.

Lucky used as protection for work, to strengthen the product, for wear resistance. There are matte, glossy, pearlescent and satin varnishes. The papier-mâché surface can withstand any type of varnish. The most commonly used varnishes are:

Polyacrylic varnish water-based has an advantage over others - it does not turn yellow after drying, it is best applied over acrylic paints.

Aerosol varnish Can be applied over any coating.

Polyurethane varnish oil-based, fits well over gouache and other types of paints.

To create the effect of an aged surface, craftsmen use. Working with such varnishes requires certain skills and knowledge, so before decorating a papier-mâché product using craquelure varnish, learn the technique of working with it.

Thin paper, napkins, handkerchiefs and clothь are ideal for creating wrinkled, compressed textures when decorating.

As decorative elements, you can use colored, packaging, embossed, papyrus paper, various stickers, cut-outs, illustrations, decoupage napkins, etc.

Working with papier-mâché is characterized by the availability and low cost of materials. In addition, working with papier-mâché is simple and easy. What is papier-mâché? This is a paper pulp consisting of small pieces of paper with which you can model various things. The techniques for creating papier-mâché will be discussed below. What is the history of the creation of papier-mâché? Judging...admin [email protected] Administrator Beautiful and smart

An interesting word “papier-mâché” came into the Russian language from French. What is it? Translated, it means “chewed paper.” In fact, this is a material created on the basis of paper or cardboard with adhesive masses. The craft itself is often called papier-mâché. Photos of wonderful things made using this technique delight many fans of needlework.

Types of papier-mâché

There are several options for this material depending on the technology used to make it.

1. Layer-by-layer gluing of paper pieces onto a template is called papier-mâché. Almost everyone knows what it is, because familiarization with this technique is included in the school curriculum for manual labor classes.

2. A viscous dough-like mass made from paper, chalk and glue, from which various things are made by modeling or molding, is also called papier-mâché. Not many people know what this is, since this technology is more complex to implement and is designed to take a long time to produce the mass itself.

3. Objects of geometric shape are made from several layers of cardboard, which is glued together layer by layer and dried under a press - also papier-mâché.

What is layer-by-layer gluing?

This is a way in which you can quickly make the simplest original little thing. In order to make crafts from papier-mâché with your own hands, the craftsman will need: a template model for pasting, the glue itself and pieces of paper.

To ensure that the model remains undamaged, the first layer of paper is moistened with plain water and applied in two layers to the surface of the template. Then the next layers are glued using fastening compounds. For this purpose, you can use any, but for the sake of economy, it is worth making a paste from starch or regular flour.

Usually it is necessary to apply up to 100 layers so that hand-made papier-mâché crafts are strong enough. Often, to increase tensile strength, fabric is placed between layers of paper, that is, the product is reinforced. But if we are talking about papier-mâché for beginners, then reinforcement will be unnecessary.

How to cook paste

In addition to the usual store-bought ones, to save money, they often use a homemade binding substance when making papier-mâché. The instructions for preparing a paste - a composition based on flour or starch - are quite simple. In short, this is the principle of cooking jelly.

1. Pour water (2 liters) into a saucepan and set it to boil.

2. At this time, in a small container, for example a glass, stir 3 tablespoons of starch or regular flour in 100 grams of cold water (flour with additives, such as pancake or pancake flour, is not suitable).

3. Pour a suspension of flour and water into boiling water in a thin stream while vigorously stirring and bring to a boil. Usually after this moment the paste acquires a matte white color with some transparency.

4. The paste needs to be cooled, and you can start making papier-mâché from newspapers.

How to prepare a template

You can use ready-made toys, masks, and craft boxes. After pasting them with paper, the workpiece is usually cut with a sharp knife or sawed in half with a file, the halves are opened and a template toy is taken out. Then the halves must be glued together along the seam.

But sometimes you don’t have a suitable template for papier-mâché crafts at hand. the item that the master will use for pasting is also not very complicated. Most often, it is constructed from scrap materials, fastening together cardboard cores-cylinders from toilet paper rolls or paper towels, empty matchboxes or cardboard bags of juices and milk.

There is another option for preparing a template, such as fashioning it from plasticine, clay, and even using balloons.

Modeling a product from paper pulp

If you need to make papier-mâché dolls, then you can turn to both the first and second options. Both methods require a template. If there is none, then you need to make it yourself, as mentioned above.

There is an option when papier-mâché dolls are made by coating a template with a paper-based mass. After drying, it is also recommended to cut the top layer without touching the template, separate the halves from each other, and remove the template. Then the papier-mâché halves are folded and glued together.

You can sculpt masses “from scratch”, relying only on a sketch, photograph or picture. However, this method is only suitable for those people who have a certain talent.

A lot of things made from papier-mâché in a short time - it's possible!

The papier-mâché technique, which consists of molding a paper-glue mass, is more suitable for making a batch of identical items. Therefore, you should use silicone sealant for the mold. You can also make it from gypsum. In both cases, the form must consist of two halves.

The sealant is applied to the greased template, as evenly as possible. The plasticine model does not need to be coated with oil. Then the workpiece should dry well. After removing the mold from the model, it must be secured in a box with salt or sand with the inside facing up. Then the mass is applied into the voids in a dense layer, without air gaps, and again left to dry.

After removing the blanks from the half-molds, they are glued together, coated with a primer and painted. At the end it is recommended to apply a layer of varnish.

Gypsum half-forms are made in a box, where plaster of a fairly thick consistency is placed in advance. The template is also greased with fat or glycerin and half immersed in the substance. After the first half-mold has dried, the model is removed. The algorithm for creating a half-mold is repeated, but the second half of the template is dipped into plaster.

Making paper pulp for crafts and sculptures

If the master chooses the papier-mâché technique based on softened paper, dry additives and glue, then he needs to know how to make or cast figures.

There are several recipes for this mass.

1. Toilet paper is torn and soaked in hot water for a day.
2. Then you should knead well and roll the mass. Experts advise doing this with a drill with attachments from a coffee grinder.
3. By adding dry gypsum, the master thereby removes excess liquid and achieves a thick mass. You can pour flour into paper pulp, but then there is a possibility that the substance, if not used in time, may deteriorate. Many people add chalk flour, but then the product turns out to be more fragile than what happens with gypsum papier-mâché.
4. Again, the well-mixed mass is diluted according to the recipe for its manufacture. You can use other glues. However, carpentry will not allow the plaster to set quickly, which is important. The resulting mass should resemble low-fat plasticine, hold its shape well, but not stick to your hands.
5. The resulting mixture is not used immediately, but is allowed to rest in the refrigerator for a day. To do this, the mass is divided into kilogram parts (maximum one and a half kilograms) and packaged in plastic bags.

Some masters suggest adding a few tablespoons of vegetable oil to the mixture.

The second method differs from the first in that a dry component (flour, chalk or gypsum) is not added to it. But after soaking, the paper is squeezed through gauze, removing excess liquid, but without achieving complete dryness.

The preparatory stage of creating a sculptural masterpiece

Of course, it all starts with the author’s idea. When the artist makes a sketch of the future papier-mâché craft with his own hands, his fantasy already takes on real contours. Some, however, take ready-made drawings or photographs as a basis, from which they begin to work.

Next, the craftsman uses wire and available materials to make the frame of the sculpture. After all these preparatory operations, the master begins the sculpting process itself. And after a while, in place of the clumsy frame, a real work of art emerges.

Paper pulp sculptures

Not every person’s imagination can help them imagine what true artists can create from papier-mâché. Photos of real masterpieces of sculptural art are fascinating and make you admire the skills of the masters of this craft.

After the product is molded and dried, the second most important stage of work begins. Now the master levels the surface of the sculpture, applying another thin layer of papier-mâché. Usually, liquid (water and glue) is added to the composition for sculpting papier-mâché crafts with your own hands so that the paper mass becomes more delicate so that fairly delicate work can be done.

After another drying, the master takes a sharp knife in his hands and carefully cuts off all excess. Then, using fine sandpaper, all irregularities are smoothed out.

Priming and painting the product is the last, final stage of work. You can coat the finished product with varnish.

Painting papier-mâché products

Even the simplest item, such as a box or wall-mounted dishes and trays, can be turned into a beautiful creation by a true artist. Turning to the classics, masters create magnificent works. Palekh, Khokhloma and Gzhel, Fedoskino and oriental miniatures - all these trends are reflected today in papier-mâché products.

Briefly about the main thing...

Whatever technique of making papier-mâché products the master chooses, whatever his creative idea, the important thing is that the artist realizes his potential through his work, expresses himself, trying to convey to others what worries him. That is probably why, after viewing photographs of masterpieces by real masters, your soul becomes light and joyful. Create and create, create, and may beauty triumph in the world!

Papier-mâché is an ancient art that has not lost its popularity. Try this simple creativity and find a source for new masterpieces in it!

Papier-mâché is a simple technique for making three-dimensional objects using paper and paste. Even with the advent of various plastic masses (super plastics), papier-mâché does not lose its popularity, remaining indispensable for some types of creativity (for example, masks). Take a brief excursion into the history of this unusual technique and find out what options for its use exist, how to make papier-mâché with your own hands, and how this activity will be useful.

History of paper art

The papier-mâché technique is time-tested, because its history goes back several thousand years! The ancient Egyptians made death masks using layers of papyrus interspersed with adhesive. In Persia, laminated paper was used to make decorative items, including chests and goblets. Often, thin metal plates were applied on top of the paper layer.

The strength of products made from papier-mâché with a large number of layers was noticed in ancient China - they began to use this technique to produce armor and shields that could protect a warrior not only from an arrow, but also from a blow from a sword.

Repeated coating with natural varnishes added additional strength to the material. In addition, in Japan and China, ceremonial masks, decorative elements for military costumes, home decor items (boxes, vases) and even buttons were made from this material.

Often the surface of the products was coated with glossy varnish and thus, luxurious-looking things were obtained from relatively cheap material. In India, papier-mâché could be found at any craft market in the form of richly ornamented household items.

Since the 17th century, papier-mâché began to be actively used in France, and then in England, in puppetry - this technique was the best way to reproduce the delicate features of doll faces. The big advantage was the high strength of the material. Unlike porcelain, the finished papier-mâché product was not fragile, and was also much lighter than wood.

In the 18th century, papier-mâché became an inexpensive alternative to architectural stucco and carved wood, and later the technique was even used to make furniture elements (such as chair backs) and church utensils.

To this day, papier-mâché is widely used in film production and theater for the manufacture of props (dummies of various things: weapons, dishes, jewelry, interior items, imitation of reliefs in the landscape or architectural structures), applied elements for makeup (noses, chins), stage details costume (hats, masks).

Minimum funds and maximum benefits

Papier-mâché is one of the few types of creativity that will be of interest to almost everyone, because there are a huge number of options for products made from laminated paper, and the process of working in this technique does not require artistic training or specific knowledge. Despite the fact that paper is used for this type of creativity, it has nothing in common with other paper hobbies, weaving from paper tubes.

The advantages of this hobby are obvious:

• it does not require material costs;
• he does not need a large workplace;
• you can do without special skills;
• the technique is an extremely simple process that even a preschool child can master;
• a wide creative spectrum (making dolls, masks, figurines, boxes, elements for decorations, Christmas tree decorations, lampshades);
• suitable for making items of any size;
• finished products are highly durable and do not require special care.

What you need for classes and first crafts

As already noted, papier-mâché is a very economical form of creativity. The main thing you need for papier-mâché is thin paper and glue (PVA, carpentry, stationery, gelatin or starch paste). There are two fundamentally different versions of this technique:

• pieces of paper are glued in layers onto the finished form;
• An elastic mass is prepared from paper and paste, from which an object is formed.

Everyone can include this hobby in their list of hobbies; success awaits only those who do not like to give up what they started. Qualities that will be useful when working with papier-mâché:

• perseverance;
• accuracy;
• a little imagination.

Features of layer-by-layer technology and work process

The first option (from pieces) is suitable for making masks, doll heads, figurines, and boxes. The surface of the finished products can be sanded, so achieving ideal smoothness is very easy. The entire work process can be divided into several stages.

First stage

Prepare thin paper (newspaper works well). To do this, you can cut or tear it into pieces, their size depends on the intended size of the product - for small works it can be 1x1 cm, for large ones up to 4x4, 4x10 cm. Torn paper will make the surface of the product smoother than cut paper.

Prepare a form on which the paper will be glued. To do this, you can take either a ready-made object or one sculpted from plasticine or clay (for example, a doll’s head).

If you take a finished item as a papier-mâché base, remember that to obtain a three-dimensional shape, you will need to cut the finished papier-mâché into two halves to get the base shape, and then glue them together. Therefore, the base may be damaged when cut. For a spherical shape, you can take a balloon, which, upon completion of work, can be removed through a previously left hole in the layers of paper.

To make the finished papier-mâché easy to separate from the base (both ready-made and molded), it is recommended to grease the mold with Vaseline or wrap it in cling film before applying the first layer of paper.

Second stage

Cover the mold with layers of paper. The number of layers depends on the desired thickness and strength - the minimum number is 4-5, the maximum is not limited, but already with 15 layers the wall thickness of the product will be about 0.5-0.7 cm, so there is usually no point in making more layers than this number.


To evenly cover the form with paper, it is convenient to alternate layers of different colors - this way it will be clear when to start a new one.

Third stage

Dry the product well (for 24 hours) and remove from the mold. If a cut is required for removal, it is convenient to make it with a sharp paper knife. After removing the mold, you need to stick pieces of paper on the inside of the product along the cut so that half of the piece extends beyond the cut, then coat them with glue and attach the second half of the product.

You also need to seal the joint line of the halves on the outside with two layers of paper and, for strength, cover the entire form with another layer of papier-mâché (if further painting is planned, it is better to use a layer of white paper).


A well-dried product can be sanded using fine-grained sandpaper.
You can paint papier-mâché with any paint, but it is best to use acrylic - it will not rub off from the shape and dries quickly. If desired, papier-mâché is opened with varnish.

Modeling from paper pulp

The second version of papier-mâché (made from paper pulp) is suitable for forming finished products using the method of simple modeling or modeling on a frame. By the way, the very name of the technique is translated from French as “chewed paper.” There are quite a few options for the recipe for preparing the mass, and after several tests you will find your own optimal ratio of ingredients.

It is usually done this way: soak newsprint, cardboard from boxes or egg trays, or toilet paper in warm water, leave it for several hours, periodically kneading it with your hands (you can put it on the stove to keep the water warm).

After soaking, the mass is carefully squeezed out and crushed with a blender or in a meat grinder (a more labor-intensive option is rubbed through a sieve). Next, add glue to the mass and knead until the homogeneous elastic mass stops sticking to your hands.


The formed product dries completely in 2-3 days - you should not dry it on a radiator, as this can lead to cracks. The dried mass becomes hard and very light. It can also be sanded and painted in the same way as or.

Useful and enjoyable activity

As has already been noted, completely different types of products can be made using the papier-mâché technique; this is an excellent way to make both decorative works and things for practical use in the home. Using this technique, you can imitate more expensive materials, such as metal, stone or ceramics.

House for a cat

Working with papier-mâché calms you down, helps you focus on the process and take a break from everyday worries, and develops creative thinking. Starting with simple and common products, you will quickly move on to implementing your own creative ideas.

Step-by-step master classes for beginners

To make it easier for you to move from plans and doubts to action, our needlewomen have prepared step-by-step instructions with photos. Taking master classes as a basis, you will quickly master the pape-mâché technique and learn how to create your own masterpieces worthy of imitation.