MATERIALS: Smoothness!

1. • Galilee 4 years, 5 months ago

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   • :casstet: Can anyone please tell me how do I make my papier mache masks smooth? Am I doing something wrong?
     I work with a negative cast of the face, but even when I worked directly on the positive, it always ended up wrinkled. I guess the paper shrinks when it dries. I wanted to know if anyone could tell me how do they make those venetian masks so smooth?

     Thank you.

2. • KyMask 4 years, 5 months ago

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   • When I learned how to make paper mache masks at Dell Arte we were taught to put a light layer of wall spackle, let it dry, then sand smooth. Works fine if you have a sturdy mask.
     

3. • Susan 4 years, 5 months ago

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   • NOT TOO MUCH GLUE, JUST ENOUGH TO SOFTEN THE PAPER - AND MOST IMPORTANT: VERY SMALL PIECES OF PAPER. 2X2 CM. BE CAREFUL WITH EACH LAYER.
     AFTER YOU'VE FINISHED GIVE THE WET MASK A NICE LONG FACIAL MASSAGE, USING PVA GLUE ON FINGERTIPS. THAT HELPS.
     WHEN THE MASK IS DRY - SAND IT DOWN CAREFULLY.
     YOU CAN COVER THE FINISHED MASK WITH PLASTER, OR FILLER, AND SAND IT DOWN. REPEAT IF YOU WANT.
     IN THE BOOK ABOUT AGOSTINO DESSI FROM FLORENCE - ITALY, THERE'S A VERY NICE PHOTOGUIDE, SHOWING EXACTLY HOW TO DO IT.( SEE DATA ON BOOK ON THE FRONTPAGE)
     MANY VERY VERY SMOOTHE VENEZIAN MASKS ARE NOT HANDMADE.

     GOOD LUCK. SUSAN
     

4. • juanita 4 years, 5 months ago

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   • There are so many variables to consider when you want to acquire a smooth texture on a papier mache surface. First of all, what kind of glue are you using? It can make a lotta difference in the amount of shrinkage you get. it took me awhile to figure it out many years ago, experinmenting with various options available......off hand, I'd say that it sounds as though your glue is way too wet and shrinks when drying.

     Also.....remember that if you were to ask the 100 best papier mache artists in the world for their own "tips & hints" on a process or type of material........they would probably EACH have their own unique formula and might even tell you that THEIR WAY is the RIGHT way.

     The point is, that while you can benefit from other artists' experiences, the bottom line is that you have to be willing to try a lot of different things until you achieve something that works for you. I use a mixture of wallpaper paste with polyvinal acetate (white glue) and have minimal shrinkage. I have numerous books that recommend other types mixtures and types of adhesives.......

     As for surface smoothness.......I've heard of artists using plaster, wood putty, gesso, texture paste, wall texturing materials .......a good place to check out possibilities is a good hardware or paint store. Nowadays, there are all kinds of possibilities designed to add textures to walls.......these things also work on papier mache surfaces. Sanding helps, too. It is possible to make a papier mached surface look like ANYTHING!!! I have figurative papier mache sculptures that people always think are bronzes!! Or stone.......believe me, it is one of the wonders of working with paper!

     I have to admit that having 40 years sculpture experience, including over 30 years working with theatre and art of illusion has provided me with the tools of the trade........most of the materials I use for working with papier mache come from hardware, building supply and paint stores. I call them my art supply stores.

     Good luck with your mask making!

5. • 4 years, 5 months ago

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   • Has anyone used spackle compound on paper mache to smooth out character masks? And was it an abject failure because you loose details like wrinkles, or was it a huge success because the smoothness highlighted details?

6. • 4 years, 5 months ago

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   • THANK YOU VERY MUCH, ALL OF YOU! You've mentioned a lot of things I don't quite understand, but I guess the thing is I was using a very very wet glue. I'll try to find the things you suggested and see what happens. Thanx again and good luck with your work too!  
     

7. • 3 years, 3 months ago

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   • I have studdied with Donato Sartori In Italy a few summers ago. The trick to smoothness is in the size of the paper. The pieces must be very small. Try not to overlap to much on the first layer. Only enought o connect. Start at the rim of your mask or edge and work your way to the bottom. The first layer is very crucial. The paper for this step should be very thin, to promote smoothness. This will be the surface when you remove the mask. We put at least 4 or 5 layers of different papers. The reason for this is so you can tell where you are in the process. It is very hard using the same paper. In our masks in the sartori workshop our negative mold was in two parts. This is important if you have big noses or something like that. You do less damage to your mask this way. Also we used plaster to make the mask smoothe. Put very thin layers and wait for it to dry before sanding. Someone made a comment about the masks that are made in Venice. They use a special blue paper which helps in the smoothing. It is like a blotting paper. You can't fing it here. Many of their masks are not made by hand. They are machine made. That is why you see so many shops with perfect masks. They may be hand painted but not entirely. Good luck.

8. • sanssoucistudios 2 years, 9 months ago

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   • I was taught to apply watered down bathroom grout to a Venetian mask to get it smooth! I prefer to use a slip made out of Paperclay. I cut it up into small pieces, soak it overnight, mash it up, and add more water until it's thin enough to be applied with a paintbrush or an elephant ear sponge. (I LOVE my elephant ear sponge!!!) When it's dry I sand it down with fine sandpaper. It usually takes a few coats, and bigger divots will need bigger, thicker lumps of Paperclay to fill them.

9. • Anonymous 2 years, 4 months ago

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   • Well i dont know if you still want to know but ive just got back from making masks in venice. After the papier mache had dried a layer of emoltion paint was applied and then sanded untill all bumbs where removed any areas where papier macher had become visable again where then sanded with wallpaper paste as this smooths the paper and painted with emoltion again.

10. • galapas 2 years, 1 month ago

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    • i have seen people use car body putty, it is a two part mixture, you can sand it/ buff it, it paints like a dream and it is indefinentley water proof.

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