A Paper Mache Dark Butterfly- arms, back, and head
Hi all,
I've been working hard on this project. Time to give you another peek. As I mentioned earlier, after I put together the basic shape with paper mache balls, I sculpt various parts until I have what I want. I wanted to augment her back. It has to be strong since she will have large wings to maneuver. So I cut off a chunk of the paper mache ball and folded it over on one edge. I repositioned it on the back and taped it on. Doing this on both sides gave her some nice lats, a nice V shape to her back.
If you look closely at the back of the arms you'll notice that I gave her some triceps. No paper mache shells here, just some wadded paper and tape. On the front side I twisted a long piece of paper, wrapped it with tape, and added a rather long bicep. The trick here is determine exactly what level of exactness (is that the right word?) to achieve on this body. I could go crazy here, like take a course on anatomy, but I don't have the time. So I go with what "looks right". Hope it does to you too.
Now it's time to be afraid. I'm going to show you the current state of her face. I put the jaws inside another, smaller paper mache ball. I added some cheeks and cut holes for her eyes. Using very small pieces of paper mache shells (that were laying around) and masking tape I fashioned a nose. I inserted some nice yellow, cat-like eyes and added some wadded paper above them to give her some brows.
Next stop... wings! Working on those today. I'll get back to you soon. Thanks as always for taking an interest in my art work. Take care.
I've been working hard on this project. Time to give you another peek. As I mentioned earlier, after I put together the basic shape with paper mache balls, I sculpt various parts until I have what I want. I wanted to augment her back. It has to be strong since she will have large wings to maneuver. So I cut off a chunk of the paper mache ball and folded it over on one edge. I repositioned it on the back and taped it on. Doing this on both sides gave her some nice lats, a nice V shape to her back.
If you look closely at the back of the arms you'll notice that I gave her some triceps. No paper mache shells here, just some wadded paper and tape. On the front side I twisted a long piece of paper, wrapped it with tape, and added a rather long bicep. The trick here is determine exactly what level of exactness (is that the right word?) to achieve on this body. I could go crazy here, like take a course on anatomy, but I don't have the time. So I go with what "looks right". Hope it does to you too.
Now it's time to be afraid. I'm going to show you the current state of her face. I put the jaws inside another, smaller paper mache ball. I added some cheeks and cut holes for her eyes. Using very small pieces of paper mache shells (that were laying around) and masking tape I fashioned a nose. I inserted some nice yellow, cat-like eyes and added some wadded paper above them to give her some brows.
I sculpted some ears with more small paper mache shell material. This is where her face stands right now. As I told you earlier, it's kind of scary looking. But remember, this is a face with no skin. Yours would look just as bad without skin (of course, judging by my 61 year old skin, some faces might look better without skin). I can see her face in my mind's eye with lids and lips. She will look very different at that point, trust me. I'll get there soon.
Next stop... wings! Working on those today. I'll get back to you soon. Thanks as always for taking an interest in my art work. Take care.
Posted by Dan the Monster-man at 12/3/2011 11:30 AM 
Categories: Paper Mache Dark Butterfly
Tags: paper mache papier mache sculpture dragons insects butterfly how-to art technique arts and crafts recipes
Categories: Paper Mache Dark Butterfly
Tags: paper mache papier mache sculpture dragons insects butterfly how-to art technique arts and crafts recipes
Ah, I think she looks sweet. The kind of gal you'd want to take to the prom. Thanks again for sharing your process. I love to see your art pieces evolve.
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Hey Willow,
You are the first to comment! I should send you a prize. I'm glad you like her skinless face. There will be such a difference when you see her finished, I promise.
Hope all is well. Hope you've started another one of your great works of art.
Dan
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I love this paper mache sculpture i think it will be beatiful. great work dan!! keep working like this!
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Hi Mary,
Nice to hear from you. Thank you for the encouragement. She will look very nice when she's done I think. Thanks for stopping by.
Dan
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(screeeeeeammm)Whoa, she's rather spooky with out her skin!! hahaha...Still such a fantastic job! Are you still using Fimo for teeth or have you tried any of the other methods yet? As usual, can't wait to see the finale!
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Hi Suz,
I'm using Fimo here. I got a hold of some stuff in Texas that I want to try. Just haven't had the chance yet. I'll report when I do. And by the way, someone from the conference took some photos of the shoes. That was really nice of her. I wanted you to see them. Here they are.
See...nothing like your masterful shoe creations. But fun nevertheless. I'm glad you like the butterfly so far. See you.
Dan
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Oh and I had mentioned that I would know that style anywhere! The shoes are totally you! They are cuter than heck!
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OK this is strange...I actually found those pictures the next day after you said you did them...and made a comment here with the link to them. But Now I don't see that comment anywhere!! So, lol, I DID see them, but thanks for remembering! Opps, didn't get this sent before the other comment got sent...lol.
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Hi again Suz.
I'm glad you saw them anyway. People enjoyed them. That's all that mattered.
It's always nice talking to you.
Talk to you later.
Dan
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Wow. She's pretty frightening - between the fangs and the forked tongue I don't think I'd want to mess with her, even when she gets her skin. I'm wondering what the inspiration source was for this evil twist on a butterfly. You have a very strange mind...
Meanwhile - love the shoes, wish you would come to NY for our conference. I'm going to put a bug in the ear of our conference coordinators to convince you to fly to Rochester NY. It would be fabulous, I'm sure.
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Hi Phyl,
Nice to hear from you. Trust me, when she's done she will look more sad than evil or scary. It's the way she will lean out, and the outstretched hands, along with the way I add her eyelids and lips and the equivalent of hair that will do the trick. To answer your question about inspiration, it was nothing other than wanting to do something a little different. My propensity is to make only dragons. It's what I want to make. So I had to find something that wasn't cute or a dragon. Thanks for the nice comment.
Dan
PS. I've never been to New York. It would be fun I think.
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LOVE HER!! The arms and nback abs all of it perfect! Can't wait to see more!
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Hi Denise,
Thanks for stopping by any leaving such an enthusiastic endorsement. I hope all is well with you. Hope your projects are going smoothly. It's always nice hearing from you.
Talk to you later.
Dan
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Love these teeth and eyes--she'll look great, I can tell...
I've referred to your site on and off as I teach middle school art; there are so many good ideas.
My paper mache of choice is liquid laundry starch (powdered, boiled starch is good too, but it takes too long to cool down and spoils a few days later)--for me, the liquid type is easier to clean up with students than glue!
Thanx for all the cool photos you post...
BD
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Hi Brenda,
It's nice to meet you. Thank you for you nice comment. I've very happy that you find my site useful. As you may know, I'm currently teaching middle school as well (6th grade math). I've taught at all levels over my career, and I think middle school teachers are the most under appreciated. Just had to say so.
Good luck on your projects! And happy almost Winter Break!
Dan
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What type of eyes do you use for your sculptures? Are they taxidermy eyes or doll eyes or what? They look very cool and really add a dimension of realism to your work.
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Hello Will,
Most of the time I do use taxidermy eyes, although I have used doll eyes, and pure glass marbles among other things. I agree, the glass eyes really bring a project to life. No doubt about it.
It's nice to meet you. Thank you for popping by.
Dan
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Hi Dan!
I am so excited to see the completed butterfly ...
Is that a tribute to ASP? http://www.aspswelten.de
Do you already know, when you finish the instructional videos?
Greetings from Tschörmany
Tiff
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Hello Tiff,
It is nice to hear from you! I hope all is well. I was not aware of the band you mentioned. No, my butterfly is just something different. I wanted to try something new. Sorry, I don't know when I well finish my instructional videos. Maybe this summer if I have time.
Greetings to you too!
Dan
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Hi Dan,
I just discovered your amazing site.
I had started a mermaid years ago, and just keep adding to it every year ...
In January I plan to finally finish the project. It is made with paper, can I now top it with cloth-mache?
Thanks,
Ellie
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Hi Ellie,
Nice to meet you. Although I haven't seen the project, I can't imagine it being a problem adding cloth at this point. I would love to see it when you are finished!
Good luck!
Dan
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