Ultimate Guide: Crafting a Stunning Paper Mache Bird with Shimmering Acrylics

Paper mache bird by Becky Conley

Happy New Year, Creatives! It's Becky Conley, checking in with a brand new paper mache project. For those familiar with my work, it's no surprise that birds are a constant source of inspiration. This time, I'm pushing the boundaries of my technique, experimenting with different methods to recreate their unique forms and textures in paper mache. My goal? To harness the captivating beauty of nature and transform it into art using Perfect Paints Shimmering Acrylic paints. Let's get started!

SUPPLIES:

Perfect Paints Shimmering Matte Acrylics:

1. #1016 True Blue

2. #1032 Bohemian Blue

3. #1027 Spiced Saffron

4. #1008 Bright Gold

5. #1035 Honey Gold

6. #1034 Barely There

OTHER:

Form or statue, tissue/newspaper, glue, brushes, cutting tools, Styrofoam ball and block, thin dowel, sewing pin, hot glue/gun.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Cover your form with plastic wrap to protect it and to help with releasing the paper mache later. (I used an old bookend.)

Creating our mold

2. Cut 1" strips of paper. Mix white glue and water 50/50.

3. Using a brush or dipping the paper into the glue/water mixture, cover the form/shape completely. Be mindful of small areas and underneath. Smooth out the paper as much as possible without tearing it. Patting with the brush can be helpful.

4. Apply 4-5 layers. Let dry completely after 2 layers, or 1 thick layer.

5. Use a carpenter's knife, blade and or sharp scissors to cut the paper mache underneath to split and release from the form.

6. Create a "stand" from a styrofoam ball, dowel and styrofoam block/base.

7. Stuff the hollow bird with plastic grocery bags loosely to the head and body but leave access to hot glue the ball in to place inside. This stabilizes the project while you're applying the next few layers of paper and painting it. Also, hot glue the dowel to the base for stability.

Creating our stand for our paper mache bird

8. Apply a few more layers of paper mache over the bird form to close up the cut along the bottom. Let dry completely.

Attaching our paper mache bird to the stand

9. PAINT! I painted the entire form with #1032 Bohemian Blue then added layers of details and other colors. The beak is #1027 Spiced Saffron with details on the face in #1035 Honey Gold. There are highlights in the body and head using #1016 True Blue. The wings, tail and belly are combinations of both Golds, #1027 Spiced Saffron and #1034 Barely There, which was added heavily to the belly over all the previous layers. The tail was over brushed with #1016 True Blue.

10. The eyes are black sewing pins. Create a divot, then push right in.

11. I used quite a few different brushes to achieve overall coverage and details.

    
    

    

    
    
    
    

It took a little patience to allow drying in between layers of the Shimmering Matte Acrylics, but ultimately it paid off because in real life, it resembles an antique glass shimmery ornament.

Thanks for stopping by the blog today. I hope you're inspired to create something magical and shimmery.

Love ya,

Becky

Paper mache bird by Becky Conley