Mixed-Media... the Progression

Dressmaking tissue paper patterns

applied to the foam board body form with paper maché paste.

Dry brushed acrylic paint added for the undercoat of the head.

The body is cut from 1/2" thick foam board (Elmer's).

The molded paper clay head shape is also traced on the foam board.

Wooden dowels are inlaid in the foam board 

by carefully cutting away some of the foam.

The dowels are hot-glued in place and then a strip of masking tape

is placed over the exposed dowel; for a smoother seam.

The paper clay head is made using a mold-making compound 

such as Amazing Mold Putty. Make a press mold of any doll head 

that you have available. (I used a doll head that I sculpted)

After the press mold is set and ready to use–– fill with paper clay 
and then immediately remove molded face, allowing it to dry.

Wood craft plaques are used for the bases of the both

the standing angel and the flying angel.

Gesso is applied to the figures, dowels and bases.

Next Time: Applying hand-dyed papers & making the wire wings!

Onionskin Paper vs. Vellum

In my last post, a very good question was asked by one of the 

Somerset Studio summer issue 2020 article readers:

"Can you tell me name and weight 

of onion paper you use with a copier?"

Well... I realized, upon checking, that the onionskin paper I have used

for these paper maché mixed-media figures is no longer available

(unless you're willing to pay an-arm-and-a-leg for 10 sheets)!

So I am experimenting with vellum, 

readily available both retail and on the internet. 

The photo above is taken against bright indirect daylight.

The onionskin has a "cockle" finish to it. 

The vellum is smoother to the touch.

These two photos (also taken against bright, indirect daylight) are

very comparable in their translucent quality.

This photo is also a good representation of the translucent quality 

of each paper... when placed over a photocopied image with words.

In a few days... I will post the results of using the vellum 

with paper maché paste, over white foam-board.

Stay tuned... Daryle

Somerset Studio Article...

I'm thrilled to share with you that two of my mixed-media pieces

are featured in the summer issue of Somerset Studio.

 The article is titled: Poetic Playfulness with Paper Maché...

The six page spread will take you through a step-by-step "how-to"

for creating a poetic mixed-media piece.

Each piece is based upon an e.e. cummings poem...

The summer issue is on sale beginning May 1st...

and is also available online at Stampington & Company.

If you're not familiar with the new format of Somerset Studio, 

I encourage you to pick up a copy of this wonderful

creative and inspiring hands-on and how-to magazine!

https://stampington.com/Somerset-Studio-Summer-2020/

  

Be blessed... Daryle

Raven (Raving?) Musings...

So... how did I get here? (the process in review)

Like all of my paper maché critters...their humble beginnings 

can be traced back to recycling bins and masking tape.

Lots of masking tape!

"The Keeper of the Keys" has a newspaper and brown bag

body armature wrapped with galvanized wire (16 gauge)

and masking tape.  Did I mention... lots of masking tape?

His head will be built-up over a reclaimed Styrofoam ball.

For the the first 3 layers of his wings, I used light-weight 

recycled chip board, cut in shapes suggesting feathers.

After adhering each piece to his body with hot glue, 

they were painted with a coat of white gesso.

His beak is also chip board and masking tape. 

The eyes are 10mm black glass beads, resting in paper clay sockets. 

Shaping galvanized wire into individual "feathers"... a second layer was added and then covered with hand towel papers and watered down wood glue. 

After completely drying, they were painted with white gesso.

The tail feathers are created using the same materials as the wings.

This third and final layer of "feathers" was made by wrapping 

Osnaburg fabric around some wire and adhering it with

watered down wood glue. Small, hand-torn pieces of fabric

were also added to the upper part of the wings using the wood glue. 

These additional feathers will be painted with white gesso.

The wire feet were wrapped in masking tape and then covered

with small strips of fabric dipped in wood glue.  

The talons are sculpted using paper clay.

What's next? 

The head, back and belly will be covered with several layers 

of torn paper hand towels, soaked in paper maché paste.

When dry... I will apply heavy modeling paste to mimic more feathers

and add texture and some further detail. 

Thanks for stopping by... stay well, be blessed! Daryle

Ravens... Ravens... Everywhere!

Raven #3 begins to emerge; with the help of some newspaper...

chip-board... burlap... and a little a lot of masking tape!

Just messing around with iPiccy... love their website!

More iPiccy... Just can't get enough of it!

Be blessed... stay well... Daryle

Elijah's Raven... Update

Well... these are challenging days, to say the least!

The RRCA is deemed a non-essential business at this time

and so the gallery is closed indefinitely.

Fortuitously... Elijah's Raven has found its forever home

on the opening day of the show

via the virtual gallery tour that was offered.

In many ways, these are unprecedented days in which we live...

Stay well, take care of each other and walk by faith, not by sight.

Elijah's Raven... Ready, Set, Go!

Raven is ready... for the up-coming Associate Artists Show

at RRCA, in Millville. The show opens on March 20th!