The next layers are at least started. I covered the rabbi form with tape and added the first layer of paper mâché on the rabbit. With the busy winter holiday season, I only had time to put on the for one layer of paper.
The first layer of paper mâché is the hardest one to apply. It does not want to stick well. My motto for the first layer is "Just get it on there." To make it a little easier to stick to the form I generally give the area I am working on a thin coat of the paper mâché paste and let it set up for several seconds. The tacky bed of paste will help the paper to stay in place.
Each layer after that will be much easier than the first layer. Newspaper has a grain to it and a slight bit of texture. The paste will bond with the grain of the previous layer.
When working on a project the small size of the carousel animals, it is not as important as on larger projects, but I still like to change the orientation of the paper on each layer if possible. When paper is pasted on opposite directions on each layer it strengthens the piece. If all the layers go in the same direction, it would be easier to tear. By going in opposing directions, it does not allow a tear in the paper to follow a grain line very far.
This is pretty much where things stand on the carousel project right now. I had to divert some time to making some small paintings to send with holiday cards. I paint artist trading cards to put into the cards for a few of my friends that collect them and one for my mother, who has been a big supporter of my creativity. I guess that is the trouble with starting a tradition, people expect you to continue it. This year I just have not had the time. I should have had them in the mail already, and I have just started.
The paintings are not coming out as well as I had hoped this year. I had trouble coming up with inspiration for the paintings. Finally, I thought of something I wanted to paint that would be fairly quick. I remembered the silver foil Christmas trees that were popular in the 1960s. I decided to paint them, but the silver metallic paint was not shiny enough. I decided to add iridescent glitter. It helped a little. As a general rule, I dislike glitter. It makes a mess. However, in this case the glitter added some depth and texture to the paint so that is had some dimension to the tree.
The pictures are not finished yet; it is just where I had to leave off to get on with the day.
Anyway, as soon as I get cards in the mail, I will be back to working on the rabbit. I hope to at least finish the layers of paper mâché this week. Then it will be on to adding the fur.
Check back next Monday or Tuesday for the next update on this project.
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