Slowly but Surely with the Paper Mache

I did some painting last night and this morning on the possum and Basset hound. As with watercolor, they went through a very ugly stage, when the paint was flat and had no texture. But the more I work with the acrylics, alternating thinner and thicker glazes, the better they look. Being a fussy watercolor painter, I find the acrylics to be somewhat like painting with mud, but it's coming ... I'm learning ...

These two still need a lot of detail work and facial features, and the other three figures are waiting their turn. But, first, it is a GLORIOUS day, and I am going out to play with Bruno. :)

WHY?????

WHY does the cat insist on drinking water from the toilet and puddles outside??? She has fresh, clean water in her bowl daily.

Froggie - after several glazes with a plaster gesso, and an initial glaze of shriek yellow.

Owl - glazed with a red/yellow/blue mixture of acrylic.

Basset hound - first glaze

Mr. Przewalski 

and Awesome Possum

The paper mache figures have been much more work than I anticipated - fun, learning process, but a lot of work. They were all glazed several times, and sanded between glazes, with a home-made gesso consisting of plaster of Paris, white glue, water and vinegar. And now they have had a base- coat glaze with a heavy-body acrylic thinned with water. Next, the real painting begins. Here's hoping they look better when finished!!!

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Creature Feature - an Update on the Paper Mache Beastiary

Froggie still looks good, though had some minor orthopedic surgery this morning. There was a crack in his left forearm - quickly set with paper and paste. He has been gessoed, with a home-made plaster gesso, and sanded. More gesso to be applied ... 

This is Mr. Przewalski III, still in the pre-gesso stage.

Basset hound, being gessoed and sanded ...

  ... love the ears!

Awesome Possum

And the owl, which doesn't quite look too owlish. I am hoping the paint makes a difference ... a BIG difference!

These figures are more work than I originally thought they'd be, mostly with the multiple gessoing and sanding sessions. But I still think they're cute, and am having fun with them. I have started to put together a large goose, as well. That will be finished in a different way - something called "cloth mache". It's all a learning process ...

Thank you for dropping by! Your comments are always welcome!

... and Now a Word from My Paper Mache Friends ...

Here's my Basset hound, with her ears attached.

I have her posing in front of the blue version of the tugboat painting for contrast.
As Pat prefers the green version of the tug work, I will be finishing this blue version soon, and offering it up for auction on my gallery page. Stay tuned ...

Horse, with hoofies attached ...

I have also finished with the paper mache part of the frog. He is sitting on a pile of newsprint that was part of his armature while I worked. Yes, I eviscerated him! ACK!!!

... hole cut out with exacto knife ...

... covering back in place.  The frog, owl and possum are ready for some gesso applications. Then I will paint them, and apply some sort of varnish to seal them. As I work with these structures, I am amazed at how very strong they are - probably at least as sturdy as clay work.

Thank you for visiting! Your comments are always welcome!