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Paper mache, or papier mache to call it by its true French name is probably one of the most fun activites you can have with glue, water and an old crumpled up newspaper.

Basically paper mache is a mix of newspaper, glue (wallpaper paste) and of course water. It is then stirred up, and once semi-wet can be modelled and formed around wire structures or other frames. Or even fashioned into ones desired shapes freeform.

I fondly remember making "Easter Eggs" from papier mache, in my class. We would blow up a balloon, and gently apply the paper mache around the outside. Once hardened we would pop the balloon, and paint the Paper mache shell.

An this is where the problems would start, now if you liberally use a water based paint and you "overwet" the paper mache, (as invariably a child would) the paper mache begins to undo, and you can end up with a soggy mess of newspaper.

In order to avoid this, you should really make a weak water/pva glue mix, and paint the outside of the dried paper mache structure first, this in effect seals the surface as well as providing a tacky layer to allow the paint to adhere too.

Next thing to do, is avoid water based paints, and use an Acrylic based paint instead, which has the added bonus of giving the model a glossy sheen.

Learn more about this author, Carlo Rossini.
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