Cast items in Paper Mache Clay

21719 Views 41 Replies 17 Participants Last post by casperdj777, Sep 21, 2013

Jaybo

Discussion Starter · Jul 12, 2011

Seems there are basically two camps of DIY Haunters. The clay and cast/mold people and the paper mache people. Everyone is always talking about casting items in latex, or plaster, or silicone. You usually have to order the materials online and pay for shipping, or pay through the nose for a very small amount of materials from a local craft store.

Did you know that you can do the same thing with paper mache?

Specifically paper mache clay. I haven't reinvented the wheel here, I'm just using techniques artist in other areas have been doing for years. I bet there are people on this board that already know how to cast in paper mache clay, but I have not seen anyone mention it anywhere on the boards or show examples.

I'm still playing with the technique at the moment, but I've been very pleased with the results I've seen so far. Plus, this comes right on the heals of MacabreRob's thread on creating Moldable Silicone on the Cheap (Oogoo) . The two items go hand in hand. You can make molds out of Ooogoo, and cast with the PM clay.

I am using a clay recipe from PM artist Jonni Good. She makes wonderful PM art pieces. Granted they are a little tame for haunt use, but her techniques translate directly to what we do. She is a great resource to check out. While you are checking out Jonni's recipe and techniques, pop on over to Dan Reeder the Monster Man's site for more great PM techniques.

I will update this post with more info and a proper How-To if there is enough interest, although you smart people could probably figure it all out by just reading the links in this post and playing with the material.

In the meantime, here is a video of a couple items I cast in PM clay. The drying time for these items was accelerated dramatically by using a microwave to dry the pieces in two minutes intervals. The small white skull only took 15 minutes to mold, dry, and demould. That's 15 minutes for a wad of gluey paper pulp to dry completely. That's faster than latex.

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Reactions: 5

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Allen H

· #2 · Jul 12, 2011

Jaybo,
Im making a bunch of medusa sconces this season and a few other archetectural things and I may use paper mache clay to do it, looks like they finish very well. Thanks for the info.
Ive been interested in this for a while since I saw these works at Scarborough Faire
http://www.shatterdvisages.com/

Dixie

· #3 · Jul 12, 2011

Great link Allen.... although it makes me really want a SOLAR OVEN!!! I'm really liking this technique, and am adoring the testing stages!

IMU

· #4 · Jul 13, 2011

Thanks for all the great info!

bmaskmaker

· #5 · Jul 13, 2011

Jaybo,

I'm also a big fan of Jonni and Dan Reeder. Stolloween is also a great resource, particularly for haunt-specific paper mache.

Your masks/skulls look great.

I'm curious about your casting + microwave experience. What are you making your mold's from? Oogoo? Plaster? something else?

Thanks.

-- Beth

Sawtooth Jack

· #6 · Jul 13, 2011 (Edited)

Great idea, thanks for taking the time to point this out! I've been visiting JG's Ultimate Paper Mache site over the last few months, but have yet to try her paper clay recipe. Do you use the linseed oil in the recipe or go without?

Jaybo

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jul 14, 2011

bmaskmaker said:
Jaybo,

I'm also a big fan of Jonni and Dan Reeder. Stolloween is also a great resource, particularly for haunt-specific paper mache.

Your masks/skulls look great.

I'm curious about your casting + microwave experience. What are you making your mold's from? Oogoo? Plaster? something else?

Thanks.

-- Beth

Right now I haven't created a proper mold. I have just used a few plastic skulls I had sitting around to test the clay. I cut the skull open and pressed the clay inside. I then placed the whole thing in the microwave for two minutes at a time. I would let the item cool for a bit, and test the firmness of the clay and condition of my impromptu mold. I kept doing this until the clay was firm enough to demold. I then flexed the plastic mold and removed the cast piece. It was still somewhat clammy on the front, so I put the piece in for one last two minute run. Took about 8 minutes of microwave time.

I plan on trying to create some molds using Oogoo next. I'll update the thread with my results.

Jaybo

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jul 14, 2011

Sawtooth Jack said:
Great idea, thanks for taking the time to point this out! I've been visiting JG's Ultimate Paper Mache site over the last few months, but have yet to try her paper clay recipe. Do you use the linseed oil in the recipe or go without?

Did not use any linseed oil, and the clay was fine. The only change i would make is probably add a little bleach and salt to the water to help deter mold. That may not be necessary, I just get a little paranoid of mold.

Dixie

· #9 · Jul 14, 2011

Didn't our microwave owners manual say something about "don't put plastic skulls in the microwave?" Oh, maybe that was tin foil, sorry... continue

:muttering: damn men in my kitchen, microwaving skulls. *Stay away from my expensive pots and pans!!!*

Allen H

· #10 · Jul 14, 2011

Dixie, you sound like my wife LOL. If you want help making a silicone mold Jaybo, just set a time and come on over. My shop is open to you.

Jaybo

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jul 18, 2011

5

Allen H said:
Dixie, you sound like my wife LOL. If you want help making a silicone mold Jaybo, just set a time and come on over. My shop is open to you.

Careful Allen, I just might take you up on that offer. LOL!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ok, everyone. I finally had time to play around with Ooogoo (silicone caulk + corn starch) to create a new mold.

I made the mold below using the Oogoo mixture and a small plastic skull. It only took about 10 to 15 minutes to make the mold. I just spread the Oogoo in the bottom of a plastic container and then pushed the small plastic skulls into the mix. The skulls pop right out of the mold. No release agent needed.

I then mixed up a batch of the paper mache clay and pressed it into the new mold. I placed the mold into the microwave and dried it for 6 minutes using 2 minutes intervals on the highest setting of the microwave. The clay will puff up a little like bread at first. Just pat it back down into the mold. I then popped the pieces out and placed them back into the microwave for another 2 minutes. Below is a picture of the results.

They are still a little damp in the center, but they can air dry at this point. You have to keep a watch on the microwave. I accidentally burned a batch and stunk up the kitchen pretty bad. Dixie is still giving me dirty looks!

Here is a picture of the skulls after they are dry and painted sitting next to one of the original plastic skulls.

I then took some of the extra Ooogoo I had leftover and pushed it inside of the plastic skull I had used as a mold earlier. No release agent needed and it was solid after 15 minutes.

The Oogoo cast was Ok. The piece stays soft and pliable. You have to play around with the cornstarch/silicone mixture in order to get a decent working time. My mix setup up a little too fast. I used cheap clear Colorfast silicone caulk from WalMart. It only cost $2.15 a tube. It turns a solid white color when mixed with the cornstarch.

One last skull cast from clay, and several mini skulls later I called it quits for the day. It only took me a little over an hour to make everything seen in the pictures below. We will be using the mini skulls on a tombstone, so it's ok that the pieces are a little rough.

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Dixie

· #12 · Jul 18, 2011

I just have to add....... this stuff stinks, as in smells icky! THEN if you DO burn it, it smells like icky burned ick. It's 105 outside, there is no opening the windows, and the inside of your microwave..........

Let's just say this - only do this when your spouse is not home, or there WILL be b*tching!

Jaybo

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jul 18, 2011

Dixie said:
I just have to add....... this stuff stinks, as in smells icky! THEN if you DO burn it, it smells like icky burned ick. It's 105 outside, there is no opening the windows, and the inside of your microwave..........

Let's just say this - only do this when your spouse is not home, or there WILL be b*tching!

Let me clarify even more. The only thing that stinks is the Oogoo and burnt mache. If you don't burn the mache, or use Oogoo, you won't have any nasty smells. The smell of the Oogoo does lessen over time.

As you can tell...spouse approval will probably not be too high with this project.

I gotta go find the scented candles, the frebreeze, and a large box fan now. Wish me luck.

RoxyBlue

· #14 · Jul 18, 2011

Hehehe, Dixie yelled at you

Another nice thing about the bit of roughness on the little skulls is that it makes them look a bit aged, so they're perfect for that old tombstone look.

scareme

· #15 · Jul 19, 2011

Jaybo, did you use the toilet paper like Jonnie used, or did you use the bag of attic insulation you have? I'm wondering how this would work with the attic insulation because so much comes in a package I'm looking for ways to use it.

Jaybo

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jul 19, 2011

scareme said:
Jaybo, did you use the toilet paper like Jonnie used, or did you use the bag of attic insulation you have? I'm wondering how this would work with the attic insulation because so much comes in a package I'm looking for ways to use it.

I used toilet paper. The cellulose insulation can be used, but you will have to soak the stuff in water longer and really work the material with a mixing attachment while soaking. Jonni's recipe is quick and easy for small batches of clay. Plus, the TP will pickup more details.

TheOneAndOnlyKelly

· #17 · Jul 19, 2011

When I use attic insulation cellulose, I first have to run it through a contraption I built that beats the snot out of it with a wire (plastic) brush attached to my drill. It breaks down the fibers to almost dust. (Def. have to wear a mask when using it!)

Jaybo

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jul 19, 2011

MacabreRob said:
When I use attic insulation cellulose, I first have to run it through a contraption I built that beats the snot out of it with a wire (plastic) brush attached to my drill. It breaks down the fibers to almost dust. (Def. have to wear a mask when using it!)

Depending on what you are using the clay for, you need to be careful how much you break the paper down. The more you break the paper down, the finer the clay. The finer the clay, the weaker the clay. If you are making large pieces that need lots of strength, then you need larger pieces of paper. This is why a lot of mache artists use so many different techniques. You rough out your piece using the heavy stuff, possibly backed with strip mache. Then you come in with the fine clay for detail work.

Ultimately, it all comes down to what works for you and what you are comfortable using.

Joiseygal

· #19 · Jul 20, 2011

Pretty cool!

Dixie

· #20 · Jul 20, 2011

madmax said:
A solution to the smell, use the microwave outside.....a cheap used microwave, $5-$10 at a yard sale

I ***LIKE*** the way you think, Madmax!!!

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