Paper Mache : The art of using
paper to create objects/images
Newspaper Strips
PAPER MACHE: The Art of Paper Made
Objects: Paper is ‘molded’ or “formed’.
Terms: Papier-Mache, Paper-mache,
Carton-pierre, Decoupage, Lacquer,
Armature. Please note that most of
these terms originated in the French
language.
Papier-mâché (French for
'chewed-up paper'
because of its
appearance), sometimes
called paper-mâché, is a
construction material that
consists of pieces of
paper, sometimes
reinforced with textiles,
stuck together using a wet
paste (e.g., glue, starch,
or wallpaper adhesive).
The crafted object
becomes solid when the
paste dries.[1]
Countries where we find paper-mache used as an artistic medium:
Persia, Kashmir, Japan, China, England, Russia, India, Korea,
America, Italy, France, Germany, Poland, and France.
Paper Mache Animals are popular as masks, piggy banks, and as piñatas.
Paper mache items
can be used for
home décor (these
won’t spoil like the
real fruit)
This papier-mâché
lacquered bowl could
be used to hold the
papier-mâché fruit!
Aesthetically
Pleasing Work
Paper Mache is
useful for home
design/décor. We
can make
FUNCTIONAL or
AESTHETICALLY
PLEASING pieces.
Papier-mâché was used for
doll heads starting as far
back as 1540, and continued
to be used into the early 20th
century. The heads were
molded in two parts from a
mixture of paper pulp, clay,
and plaster, and then glued
together. The head would
then be smoothed, painted
and varnished.
Paper Mache
has been used
to create DOLL
HEADS in many
different
countries. This
has gone out of
use with the
development of
modern plastic
materials.
Papier-mâché is commonly used for large,
temporary sculpture such as Carnival
floats. A basic structure of wood, metal and
metal wire is covered in papier-mâché.
Once dried, details are added. The papiermâché is then sanded and painted.
Carnival floats can be very large and
comprise a number of characters, props
and scenic elements all organized around
a chosen theme. They can also
accommodate several dozens people,
including the operators of the mechanisms.
The floats can have movable parts, like the
facial features of a character or its limbs. It
is not unusual for local professional
architects, engineers, painters, sculptors
and ceramists to take part in the design
and construction of the floats. Italian float
makers are some of the best in the world,
Papier-mâché MASKS
and theatrical head gear
are important to the
world of play-acting
Paper Mache has been
used to create FLOAT
DESIGNS for parades.
Papier-mâché has been used in Theatre for
creating Set Design objects and Costume
Parts
Puppetry involves the
creation of Papier-mâché
Puppets and other
associated set pieces.
AMAZINGLY: Paper
Mache has been used to
create ARCHITECTURAL
FEATURES such as
CELING DESIGNS.. …
WALL DESIGNS…..EVEN
FURNITURE!
RUSSIAN PAPER MACHE WORK: Decorated Boxes
The village of Fedoskino (Федоскино)[ located not far from Moscow
on the banks of the Ucha River, is the oldest of the four art centers of
Russian lacquer miniature painting on papier-mâché, which has
been practiced there since 1795. It stands apart both geographically,
and in that that oil paints are used rather than egg tempera.
The lacquer artists of Palekh, Kholui
and Mstera continue to use the
technique of painting in egg-based
tempera overlaid with intricate gold
leaf highlighting.
A Palekh jewelery box
No Russian lacquer artwork is
presently considered genuine piece
unless it bears the signature of one
of the recognised artists from one of
four villages, each village having its
own style.
Many
Countries have
used paper
Mache to
create
beautiful
objects. To the
LEFT are
Russian
Enameled
paper Mache
Boxes. Below
are items from
Asia.
FUNCTIONAL OBJECTS
can be made out of
paper mache.
Carton-pierre
(French for 'stone
cardboard') is
papier-mâché that
has been
decorated to
resemble wood,
stone, or metal,
and is used as
decoration.[2]
Starting around 1725, gilded papier-mâché began to appear
in Europe as a low-cost alternative to similarly treated plaster
or carved wood in architecture. Henry Clay of Birmingham,
England, patented a process for treating laminated sheets of
paper with linseed oil to produce waterproof panels in 1772.
Japanned is most often a heavy black lacquer, almost like
enamel paint. The European technique uses varnishes
that have a resin base similar to shellac, applied in heatdried layers which are then polished, to give a smooth
glossy finish. It can also come in reds, greens and blues.
Originating in India, China, and Japan as a decorative
coating for pottery, it made its way into Europe by the
1600s.
Hanji (Korean paper art)
Hanji is the name of a traditional paper art form originating from Korea.
There are two basic divisions of hanji, a two dimensional and a three
dimensional.
Two dimensional hanji uses paper of various colors to create an image in a
similar format as a painting, however the paper itself is folded and crumpled
making the image stick up from the paper it is adhered, but the image itself is
only a 2 dimensional likeness, although there may be depth to some of the
elements. 2 dimensional hanji are typically framed much like a painting.
Korean Hanji 3Dimensional Sculpture
Korean Hanji lacquer Boxes
Three dimensional Hanji is similar to papier-mâché, in
that it attempts to make sculpture type objects which may
stand unsupported.
More
SCULTPURES:
Note the
stylized
forms versus
completely
realistic
forms.
ARTISTS use
paper mache
to create
interesting
SCULPTURES
Skulls are a
popular item
for artistic
designs
within the
country of
Mexico.
Artists from
around now
design
skulls.
Skulls have been
used by many
artists for
‘DESIGN’
work…these are
papier-mâché skull
masks.
Home
In Art I at Charlottesville High School,
all students create paper mache masks.
Get ready to get your hands dirty,
be creative and have fun!