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How 2 Make a Skinny Paper Mache Cat

Skinny Paper Mache Cat

skinny cat finishedThis paper mache skinny cat is full of endless possibilities. When creating your cat you can mix the colors or perhaps make one ear larger than the other, wherever your imagination takes you.
You can watch as I build my cat armature from card board tubes and newspaper then cover with simple paper mache strips.
In sharing my process I hope to spark some creativity in you to create your own unique skinny cat.
Here is a quick list of materials.
Recycled Newspaper
Masking Tape
Recycle TP rolls or Paper towel roll
Paints and Paint Brushes
Glue Gun (optional)
H20 and Rags

Let's Get Started
1 Creating Your Armature
Start by creating an armature which is the foundation for your skinny cat sculpture.
Make your cat any size you like using the same concept described here.
Each body part is listed with a brief description and for more information watch the FREE how2 skinny cat video.
Head: Wad a small ball of newspaper tightly up and cover with masking tape. Sit your cat head aside until you need it.
Ears: Cut each ear shape from recycled cardboard cereal box or such. Hot glue gun your ears onto the cat head.
Body: We will create the torso by using empty paper rolls. Roll up newspaper and slide through about 3 rolls, tape the rolls at each connection. I slide and bend the torso to give it a more natural look and the paper helps stabilize the torso.
Legs: Roll up a newspaper sheet and bend in half, tape your legs to one end of the torso right at the end of the roll. For the longer set of back (hind)  legs roll up 2 newspaper sheets and tape together, tape this to the opposite end of your cardboard roll.
TIP: Something that I did not use to was wire but you can use wire to shape your legs and tail.
Paws: Wad a very small ball of paper for each of the paws. You will hot glue gun the paws to the legs.
Tail: Roll up newspaper into a tight tube for the tail and shape as desired. Tape your tail onto the cat's rear end between the legs.
Attach all the body parts with tape and/or a hot glue gun and secure your entire armature with masking tape.
2 PaPer MaChe Your Cat Armature
Cover your armature with paper mache strips dipped in your homemade paper mache paste. You will need to apply four layers of newspaper strips over the armature. After applying the strips you will set your armature aside and let it dry over night. (Could take longer depending your climate) Your armature must be completely dried before adding more wet paper mache strips.
After these strips have dried you will have 2 options. Option 1 is to continue using paper mache strips and paste to cover your armature. Option 2 is to cover your armature with paper mache clay. Below you will find the recipes and steps.
Quick Link to Paper Mache Paste Recipe and Clay Recipe
Option 1
Now that the cat is dried add additional 10 or more layers to the entire cat armature. Concentrate on all the connecting sections of your armature, adding lots of layers.
FACT: However many layers you add to your armature, is how strong your Skinny Cat will be.
Drying all those layers of newsprint strips will probably take more than 24 hours just depends on your weather outside.
Option 1 will take more time than option 2 of adding paper clay but the end result is fabulous and just as sturdy.
Option 2
Use paper clay to cover your armature with about a 1/4 inch layer of clay. Mix a small batch of flour and water to use with your hands to smooth the paper clay onto your armature. The paper clay is a time saver, very enjoyable to work with and allows more freedom in sculpting.

3. Paint Your Paper Mache Skinny Cat
cat coverYou simply want a white base coat on your Cat; this coat of paint will fill in some of the rough edges and dips your sculpture may have. You can lightly sand your cat also.
Once the bases coat as dried paint your Cat with acrylics anyway you like. Let this completely dry. Optional to add a button nose or paint.
You must seal your paper clay or paper mache pieces with varnish. You can spray or brush this on your Cat.  
What A Cool Cat
That's it that is one way to make this skinny cat; I hope you have been inspired to create your own Paper Mache Cat. We would love to hear from you at the studio so please leave your suggestions and comments below.
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