I start with this basic skull, which came with a handy stand which makes things a lot easier. This one used to have some stuff inside that made it "talk", but I took all that stuff out.
Then I cover it with strips of newspaper, about three layers. I have found if you alternate the colors, it helps you keep track of what you have done. For instance, use black and white for one layer, then something like the comics for the next layer, then black and white again.
After this dries, usually overnight, I cut from below where one ear should be up and across the top of the skull and down the other side. Then start working on peeling off the pieces. Once you get them off, tape up the inside really good and fill it with expandable foam (I used Great Stuff). Be careful not to put to much in at a time as it will make the head kind of shaped wrong, which could be a good thing if you're going for that look. I usually put in a few layers at a time to prevent this, or have poked holes into the foam when it is about half setup to let the gases escape from inside, which will stop it from expanding.
I think this ended up being the head for this guy...
One of the cool things is that every one of these will end up looking different. I also do not add teeth, I think they look kind of cool without them and I was probably too lazy to make them. I also followed Spooky's groundbreaker corpse tutorial to make these guys.
Spooky Blue's Tutorial
Nicely done. I tried papier mache skulls a few months ago... total disaster. I guess I'll have to try again. Love those groundbreakers.
ReplyDeleteI did Spooky Blue's paper skull as well way back in July. Didn't get a chance to finish him. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3082/2875336857_7cb15727c4.jpg?v=0
ReplyDeleteBut I will definitely be using that technique for next year. A stand would help. Need to find a skull with a stand too.
The corpse I did finish was done using Spooky's tutorial as well. Guy has wonderful tutorials!
I really like your groundbreakers this year. The all look so...forlorn.
I love creating those groundbreakers. Each one starts to take on his own personality as you are making it, and kind of has a story to it (to me anyway). I hope to make many more over the next year because they are so fun.
ReplyDeleteHow much expanding foam do you put into the finished skull? I have two ready to go with this next step, but i'm unsure how much to fill it to. Do i fill it just to the top part of the mouth or right down to the lower jaw? And if its to the lower jaw, does the foam not show when the mouth is open?
ReplyDeleteLove your work BTW.
I have found that it is best to put in small amounts at a time, because if you fill it all the way up it will deform the skull as the foam tries to expand. If I'm not mistaken, I think they make some "Great Stuff" that doesn't expand as much as the kind in the red can (which is what I usually use. I try to fill it about a quarter of the way full and let that expand before adding more. I've also found that it helps to poke something into the outer "shell" of the foam as it is setting up to release some of the built up air inside. I fill it all the way to the base of the lower jaw, then cut away what I don't want... inside of the mouth, etc. Just make sure to paint the inside of the mouth black (if the mouth is open). Filling it all the way to the base of the jaw gives a good mounting point also, I just cut out a hole big enough for whatever I am putting it on. That stuff is pretty easy to cut once it is completely set up... don't try it before that though as it is extremely sticky!
ReplyDeleteHow do you peel the pieces off without everything coming apart and loosing the shape?
ReplyDeleteVeeeeery carefully! I let them dry completely, then use something like the end of a butter knife to start peeling around the edges a little bit at a time. If you're lucky, you'll get to a point where it will just pop off. Lately, I've been cheating and just using premade foam skulls. They are more expensive, but save lots of time.
ReplyDeleteYou can also cover the base skull in aluminum foil for each paper mache skull that you make. This makes the peeling process go much easier...
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea... Never did it, but it would have made it easier, I'm sure!
ReplyDeleteDid you put something over the paper mache? The look like they have cloth or something wrapped around them. They look amazing!
ReplyDeleteYes... what you see with the news paper is just a base for the final "skin". I used paper towels dipped in the same Elmer's glue and water mix for that. I think they look best if you leave lots of wrinkles in them, so they'll look like shriveled up skin. I use Kleenex Viva paper towels, because they are strong and don't have any designs imprinted in them... Unless you just want your zombies to have flowery faces. :)
ReplyDeleteok so let me see if i have this right...
ReplyDelete1) paper mache 3 layers over skull
2) after its dry, peel off from skull to use as a form & spray in the foam- small amounts at a time
3) paper towels over the top of the paper mache/foam head & then painted?
I can do that....hmmm....I'm sure I have a skull around here somewhere...How did you do the bodies?
I make the skeleton out of rolled up newspaper, then cover all of that with more paper towels / glue mixture.
ReplyDeleteLooks so easy and final product is creepy! Just found this now and will have to try it out.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great idea. I just made a couple of these and they look brilliant.
ReplyDeleteCan you give a step by step on making t he body?
ReplyDeleteCan u post step by step on the body please
ReplyDeleteI pretty much did the bodies like Spooky Blue shows in his tutorial. I use Kleenex Viva paper towels, and try to put them on with a lot of wrinkles... the more the better. I just use the same Elmer's Glue/water mix for the paper towels.
ReplyDeletei dont have a skull anywhere near me apart from my own. how do i make a papermache skull from scratch??
ReplyDeleteI'm not really sure about that.... I bought three pretty good looking skulls at Target tonight that would probably work. They were plastic and $5 each... I usually don't like most of the skulls I see in stores like that, but these actually looked pretty good.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. I will try making one in christmas
ReplyDeleteHey, they look great, and relatively simple. Why haven't I tried that? But I live in Seattle, where October is beautiful but sometimes rainy. How to make it waterproof, or at least water-resistant? Any ideas?
ReplyDeleteThe finished product looks so cool that you did, I had to try it. It looked like a disaster when I first started putting the newspaper over the aluminum-foiled skull, but the more glue went on, the better it looked. Waiting for it to dry, and we'll see what happens. Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteI have been making paper mache pumpkins for about 8 months now. Started following
ReplyDeleteon You Tube, watched many people working with paper mache. One individual I thought did a very thorough explanation was "Drackenfang". He learned by watching someone called Stolloween. Both are excellent. Just watch You Tube on Paper Mache skulls or pumpkins or whatever and you will learn a lot. Drackenfang has excellent advice on waterproofing so paper mache items can endure being outdoors and his designs are superb. Stolloween also has excellent advice and outstanding designs.
I personally have used something "Stiltbeast Studios" suggested for coating cheap foam skulls with paper towels and acrylic/latex caulk mixed with lemon ammonia to create wonderful looking skulls. Take a look at these three artists. You'll be
glad to did.
If you wrap the skull in saran wrap and then put a thin layer of Vaseline you wouldnt have to cut your head to get it off.
ReplyDeleteSO I read over your tutorial, and I looked over Spooky Blue's Ground Breaker tutorial...but neither answers my question: How'd you get those arms to stand up outstretched? (Specifically the one in the background) Did you use something inside the rolled up newspaper to keep it sturdy?
ReplyDelete