Another three-dimensional project we completed in our Abiding Peace art class was these cute little foil and papier mache sculptures. The materials needed and directions to make these are listed below the pictures.
Materials:
foil
newspaper
flour
water
bowl
spoon
acryllic paints
glue
small block of wood or cardboard, about 5" square
Directions:
1. First, mark and then cut the foil as shown in the photo below.
2. Using your hands, shape each section into a round head and more linear arms and legs.
3. Squish the center section into a torso shape.
4. Position the body. I usually give my students a few ideas and encourage them to be creative. If they sports, they could make a paper mache basketball and make the guy dunking a basket. If they like to sing, he could be holding a folder and singing. If they like animals, they could make one out of foil and have the animal with their person. You can make almost any prop out of foil and cover it with paper mache.
Note: I required my students to make another person or animal so that they would have two in their finished sculpture.
5. Tear the newspaper into very tiny strips, about 1/4" x 5" or shorter.
6. Mix 1 part water to 1 part flour (1/2 cup of each should work for these) and stir.
7. Dip the thin strips of newspaper into the flour and water mixture. Pull it out between your second and third fingers like a squeegee.
8. Carefully wrap the wet strip around the foil person, starting at the ends of the limbs and working your way in and up. Be very careful to keep it wet and to not have any edges sticking up if possible.
9. Put on wax paper to dry. This may take a day or so. Putting them in the oven on very low heat (170 degrees) for fifteen to twenty minutes can speed up the process.
10. Paint the paper mache as desired.
11. Let dry.
12. Mount the finished sculpture on the piece of cardboard or wood.