Paper Mache Dragon Pair- Reunited at Last
Now that the two dragons are constructed, it's time to paint. I wrestled with color schemes. In the end, I stuck with colors that I love for dragons, reds and yellows and oranges. I'm very satisfied with how they blend together. I also decided to paint the pair and put them back together before making the heads. I know it seems funny to do this. I call this "delayed gratification," something I've done precious little of over the course of my life. Making the head is my favorite part of building a dragon. I wanted to finish these two dragons before allowing myself the fun of finishing the faces. I don't know why exactly. I just did.
It is always easy at this stage it get enamored with the bright colors of the initial paint job. Everything looks so clean and pretty. But I'm reminded of what Bill Alexander used to say (he was the crazy but fun old coot that used to paint beautiful landscapes on TV with a house-painting brush). He would say that you, "can't have light without dark." To make these colors really stand out, and to enhance the details I've painstakingly added to these pieces, I needed to "blackwash" them. This is another term I coined over the years. I water down some black paint then paint a part of the project and wipe it off before it dries. Photographs never really do this justice, so you'll have to trust me about how great this works. Below is the female dragon after blackwashing. She looks dirty and her colors are certainly more muted. But she looks more like a dragon.
I do add some of the color back in the form of highlights. Again, these photos don't show the change as well as I would have liked. But I think you can get the idea. Below is a portion of the female's neck before highlights and then after. Can you see the difference? It's much more profound in person.
It is even more dramatic with the red on the male. Look at the male body after blackwashing. Now look at it with highlights added.
I also highlighted the belly plates of both dragons. The color here is really subtle.
I brushed water over the painted claws just to soften the paint. Then I scraped it off with a knife. Latex paint (or acrylic or any combination, so long as it is water soluble) will not stick to Fimo. In fact, as my fellow paper mache artist and friend Randloph correctly pointed out, the paint actually comes off easier if you have a lot of paint on the claws rather than just a little bit. So don't worry when you are painting around claws or teeth if you get paint on them. Rather, make sure you do get them covered in paint. The thicker the better. I really love seeing the claws and teeth emerge after being covered. The effect is dramatic.
Finally it is time to see if the two dragons still fit together (Are they still in love? Long distance relationships...in paper mache land that means a few feet apart...are very difficult to maintain.). A lot of shifting can happen during the construction and painting. I held my breath (not trying to be melodramatic here...Eddy just used his litter box in the next room) and twisted them back together. I was thrilled to find that they still fit together perfectly.
It is always easy at this stage it get enamored with the bright colors of the initial paint job. Everything looks so clean and pretty. But I'm reminded of what Bill Alexander used to say (he was the crazy but fun old coot that used to paint beautiful landscapes on TV with a house-painting brush). He would say that you, "can't have light without dark." To make these colors really stand out, and to enhance the details I've painstakingly added to these pieces, I needed to "blackwash" them. This is another term I coined over the years. I water down some black paint then paint a part of the project and wipe it off before it dries. Photographs never really do this justice, so you'll have to trust me about how great this works. Below is the female dragon after blackwashing. She looks dirty and her colors are certainly more muted. But she looks more like a dragon.
I do add some of the color back in the form of highlights. Again, these photos don't show the change as well as I would have liked. But I think you can get the idea. Below is a portion of the female's neck before highlights and then after. Can you see the difference? It's much more profound in person.
It is even more dramatic with the red on the male. Look at the male body after blackwashing. Now look at it with highlights added.
I also highlighted the belly plates of both dragons. The color here is really subtle.
I brushed water over the painted claws just to soften the paint. Then I scraped it off with a knife. Latex paint (or acrylic or any combination, so long as it is water soluble) will not stick to Fimo. In fact, as my fellow paper mache artist and friend Randloph correctly pointed out, the paint actually comes off easier if you have a lot of paint on the claws rather than just a little bit. So don't worry when you are painting around claws or teeth if you get paint on them. Rather, make sure you do get them covered in paint. The thicker the better. I really love seeing the claws and teeth emerge after being covered. The effect is dramatic.
Finally it is time to see if the two dragons still fit together (Are they still in love? Long distance relationships...in paper mache land that means a few feet apart...are very difficult to maintain.). A lot of shifting can happen during the construction and painting. I held my breath (not trying to be melodramatic here...Eddy just used his litter box in the next room) and twisted them back together. I was thrilled to find that they still fit together perfectly.
Reunited at last! Now....if they only had faces. Stay tuned.
Posted by Dan the Monster-man at 8/20/2010 7:26 PM 
Categories: Paper Mache Dragon Pair
Tags: monsters papier mache paper mache dragons mixed media crafts sculpture passion love entanglements
Categories: Paper Mache Dragon Pair
Tags: monsters papier mache paper mache dragons mixed media crafts sculpture passion love entanglements
Wow, they are gorgeous! The bright colors before blackwashing were so colorful, loved it, but as you said the black does make them look more "dragonish" and you can really see where the highlighting really brings out the colors again! They are beautiful!! Boy, waiting on pins and needles to see the finished heads!!!
Reply to this
Hi Suz,
You are fast! I just posted this. Thank you for your nice critique! Makes me feel good. I had lots of ideas in mind for colors. Many were more subtle in nature. But I don't think they would have captured what I wanted. Of course I'm really just being like I was when I was a kid...get a box of 100 different colors of crayons and then use only 5. I like bright.
Take care.
Dan
Reply to this
Looking awesome as ever. Choosing colours gives me a headache lol. Right now i am trying to choose the right colours for 4 large custome bottle kneck vases lol. If thats not bad enough i will be painting them in a coloured 'textured' base coat of dragon skin it grows the texture as it dries litterally so you never know how strong or even the finish will be lol. I think your dragons colouring works perfectly, a red dragon always seems right for the males i think.
Reply to this
Thanks Jonty!
I appreciate that you like the color scheme. In the end, I guess reds and dragons do go together. Glad to hear you are working hard on your art work. Your project sounds very sophisticated. But I know you will produce something fantastic.
Good luck on those.
Dan
Reply to this
Dang....those are looking SWEET! Excellent job, Mr. Reeder! I love how you created a seam or raised ridge on the underbellies - very natural and organic looking. Also the different scales for the scales rather than triangular - very cool. A TRUE master at work...
Reply to this
Hi Stephane,
So nice to hear from you! I hope you are doing some art work. Thank you for the nice words, as usual. I really appreciate it.
Take care
Dan
Reply to this
Hi Dan,
I have been by your site several times, never left a comment though =) Your work is amazing and so inspiring to me! These two dragons are AWESOME! I do have a question about how you do the scales, do you use cloth for them as well? What kind of cloth is the best? I also have several projects I have done, would love to share some pictures =), where and how do I send them?
Nice work!
Hannah
Reply to this
Hello Hannah,
Very nice to meet you! Yes, I make the scales out of cloth as well. I use old bed sheets for my cloth. I've been using them ever since I started doing this with kids many years ago. Sheets are omnipresent since everyone sleeps on them. The older and more worn the better. Newer ones are stiff and so the edges don't stay down as well. I prefer white, cotton sheets. Ask around, someone will have some. But if they don't you can always get some at any "thrift" or second hand store. Let me know if you want more information about scales.
And yes, I'd love to see photos. I'd love to post any you might like on my site. I love showcasing other people's work. Just send them to dan@gourmetpapermache.com.
Keep in touch. And thank you for the kind words. I'm flattered.
Dan
Reply to this
Just popped in to see what ur up to. Awesome dragons! I love 'em!
Reply to this
Hi Julie,
Thank you for popping by! Nice to hear from you. I'm glad you like the pair. I'll have more photos up soon.
Hope all is well with you.
Dan
Reply to this
You are incredibly skilled! I love how realistic the scales look. You have such a clear understanding of color and dimension. I admire your talent.
Reply to this
Why thank you for the nice comment. I am finished with this project. I just haven't had time to upload the latest photos. Hopefully tomorrow. Take care
Dan
Reply to this
Wow! Your work is amazing. I am in awe.
Reply to this
Thank you Amy! Your comment is much appreciated.
Dan
Reply to this
Hi,
I am going to start doing some nesting bowls with odd shapes and some sculptures. One of my clients just lost a lion fish in one of her salt water tanks. It was a big event to lose another fish. I train her dogs professionally...and want to do something extra nice for her. Soo, I think I will make a papier mache lion fish for her. I am excited about the process. The idea came to me last night. Your work is encouraging! I know I will do well here in Wilmington, NC with my work.
Reply to this
Hi Christina,
Reply to this
Hi Dan,
We have this Dragon Boat festival coming soon and I'm planning to make a Dragon Boat.. Dragon's head and boat that would look like the body of the dragon. However, I can't seem to find the perfect cloth!
Reply to this
Hi Fiona,
Sounds like a fun project! I don't use any kind of special cloth. I just use old bed sheets. I get them at the local "thrift" store. I buy the cheapest ones they have, usually less than $4. Usually I make the teeth out of Fimo, but any polymer clay will work. There are several brands at hobby stores.
Good luck!
Dan
Reply to this