PaPIER MaCHE: A beginner's questions...

1. • Faeralyn 3 years, 5 months ago

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   • I was looking through these paper mache-ing instructions...

     http://www.goblinart.com/about/Professional_paper_mache.html

     ...and was wondering what 'vinyl spackling' and 'artist's gesso' was. Also, at the top of their page, it says to avoid any vinyl pastes. So how is 'vinyl spackling' OK, then?

     Sorry, but I'm very new to all of this  

2. • 3 years, 5 months ago

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   • I happened to re-discover this article yesterday(april 17), and I was wondering the same question for about one minute.
     Then I realise she meant to stay away from vynyl paste because these contain the nasty products that can poison the skin. The vinyl spackling is the type applied over walls, and a lot of people apply it over their project with their bare hands, without any problem.

     You'll find the product under the name "Spackling Compound" where you can buy painting supplies for home decorating.

     Artist Gesso is just another name for regular acrylic-based gesso sold in every Art supply store. It just means that the person is refering to professional grade gesso, not the inferior kind.
     Traditional gesso, made from whiting and animal glues has totally different properties.

     If you are really really new to art supply: gesso is a ground applied over raw canvas to make it tight, scealed and ready to receive paint.

     For examples of Spackling compound uses:
     I have seen what look like incredible results (though the photos are ridiculously small) on the terrorsyndicate webpage:

     http://www.terrorsyndicate.com/Terror_Syndicate_Monster_Mud.html

     Come join our paper mache group for more info on paper mache.
     http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PaperMacheArt/
     We're a happy bunch of overproductive crazy papermashers

     I'm the Creturiste, by the way. Don't mind my sometimes off topic postings, it's allowed and inspires.

     Enjoy!

3. • Faeralyn 3 years, 5 months ago

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   • Thanks so much for answering so quickly! But one more thing: what exactly is Spackle? My understanding right now is that after you finish all the actual mache-ing, you can smooth the surface out either... 1) With acrylic modelling paste and fingers or brushes. 2) By sanding it. 3) Or applying Spackle, and sealing it with gesso so it's ready for the paint. Somewhere along those lines.[/i]

4. • rozani 3 years, 5 months ago

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   • Hello Faeralyn.

     Spackle is a type of product similar to putty which is used to fill in the cracks on drywall for construction purposes. There are different compounds which are simply referred to as spackle. Basically, it is pressed into the cracks so that the surface can be prepared for painting. Carpenters and home builders use this for sheetrock.

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