WORKSHEET #1 >> PAPIER MACHE >> SCULPTURE >> DÉCOUPAGE

ACTIVITY; Papier Mache Sculpture Papier mâché is a great activity for children's development as it can teach a number of skills. It's an easy to make material that dries hard and has many uses. We are also using a technique called decoupage, where pieces of paper, photographs, fabric and other ephemera can be arranged and stuck down onto a supporting surface. In this instance found papers will be sourced to decorate the final piece. Decoupage comes from the french word ‘decouper’ meaning to cut out or cut from something. Our simple instructions will guide children to make their own Alexander Girard inspired sculpture. After studying his artwork they will design a geometric building or doll and then to turn it into a 3D model using easily sourced materials like cardboard, newspaper and tape. First sketching a design of the sculpture, then constructing a base shape and adding layers of papier mache to add stability. Finally adding cut out paper shapes to decoupage the design onto the finished structure.

SKILLS; Problem solving - constructing the base Motor - tearing paper, stirring glue, applying paper to base Social - children talk about the progress of the sculpture, taking pride in their work through conversations Sensory - the texture of the glue, cold, wet, sticky. The roughness of the dry paper. Cognitive - the process of paper mache: The glue changes from a liquid to a solid state.

WHAT YOU NEED; Empty cardboard boxes, cereal boxes etc. Masking tape or similar Newspaper or scrap paper - we recycled a paper tablecloth Adhesive * see below Coloured papers; packaging, magazines, recycled wrapping paper etc Scissors Mixing bowl Spoon Pencil A4 paper or similar Ruler Paintbrush

* Adhesive Wallpaper paste is great for large projects as it allows you to temporarily reposition pieces after application. Follow the instructions on the packet. PVA glue dries clear and has a better base to paint. Add a little water to create an ideal consistency that is the same as single cream. Flour and water to make a strong, natural adhesive - here is how to make the paste; Add one part flour with one part of water until you get a thick glue-like consistency. Add a little more water if it's too thick. Add three tablespoons of salt to the final mixture to help prevent mold. Mix well with a spoon to get rid of all the lumps.

PART ONE >> DESIGN

Alexander Girard Alexander Girard was an architect and textile designer, most famous for his contribution to American textile design. Girard and his wife Susan were both keen collectors of folk art and their 106,000 piece collection consisted of items from over 100 countries spanning six continents.

Wooden Dolls His love of folk art inspired one of his most famous pieces of work; The Wooden Dolls which was a large family of characters originally carved from cedar wood and painted by hand.

Above are some of the mid century dolls. These artworks exhibit his affection for colour and pattern that would come to define his artistic sensibility. He uses simple forms to give his dolls character. He uses circles, ovals, triangles and rectangles to create their shape. Think about what shapes will make up your design. Carefully look at his use of pattern and colour and the addition of found items, such as string and feathers etc to the final pieces. Look at how simple the features are too. Sketch your design onto A4 paper filling the page, thinking about shapes and colour.

Facade and Palace The textile panels he produced for Herman Miller in the 1970’s. The original panels consist of geometric symmetrical shapes screen printed on fabric. When designing your structure to decorate remember to keep the shapes straightforward, like with the dolls simple is better.

Teachers; To reduce the time or to introduce this activity to younger students, recycled cereal boxes can be used instead of making the structure. A colourful street of buildings can be displayed as a collaborative artwork.

Below are some other swatches of patterns and colours that Girard designed, you might choose to use these or be inspired to create some of your own. Remember to keep your decoration design simple and not too complicated. He has chosen colours that compliment each other and keeps his palette to a minimum amount, also h is shapes and lines are very basic.

This activity uses coloured papers or found papers from magazines, packaging, recycled gift wrap etc. Choose five or six colours and begin to look for large swatches of them in magazines, scrapbooks, recycled packaging and gift wrap etc. These collected materials will be used to make colourful cut out shapes to decorate the building or doll with the collage technique; decoupage.

© Let’s Make Art // Karen Davies and Alice Hendy // 2021 // All Rights Reserved Designing your base shape and decor; Firstly, cover any surfaces and clothes, an easy cheap covering is to cut the bottom seam off and down one side of a bin liner and open out to make a sheet. When designing the base of your building or doll think carefully about the overall outline shape - don't include too many intricate lines and corners as it will be difficult to construct. Use a ruler to create straight lines and round cups, plates, tins etc to draw around for curves and domes etc. Using large, distinctive shapes will make the base much easier to complete. If your shape is symmetrical, fold the paper in half then cut it out - this will ensure both sides are equal. Remember to check the size of the cardboard you're using and that you need two pieces and any remainder to make the sides.

Using your sketch as a guide begin to cut your shapes from the collected papers. Draw your shape as close to the edges of the paper to save waste and cut out carefully. Keep your pieces safe whilst you make the base.

PART TWO >> CONSTRUCTION Making the base shape; 1. When you're happy with your design, you need to copy the main shape onto your cardboard. cut out your sketch and use it as a template to draw around onto the cardboard. You will need to cut out two identical pieces. These will make the front and back panels 2. Cut long strips of cardboard approx 6-8cm wide, depending how deep you want your sculpture to be. Try to use the longest part of the cardboard and tape together any pieces before attaching to the front and back panels. This strip needs to reach all the way around your panels to form the side. If using correlated cardboard make sure the lines are across so it helps with bending into shape. 3. Cut lots of pieces of tape (approx 40 small bits) - this preparation will make it easier and quicker to do the next step. 4. Starting at the bottom begin to attach the long strip of cardboard to one of the panels. Take your time to match up the edges and stick the tape down firmly. For curves and nooks use a pencil to mark the bend and use a ruler to score a line with a pencil to make the bend ease around the shape. Repeat this all the way round and on the other panel.

© Let’s Make Art // Karen Davies and Alice Hendy // 2021 // All Rights Reserved Applying the papier mache; 1. Decide on the adhesive you're using; flour and water, PVA mix or wallpaper paste and make up accordingly. 2. You need to make lots of strips of newspaper or scrap paper. Tearing into approx 3cm width x 15cm length. 3. Let the paper strips soak in the paper mache glue a little before using. * Top tip - use your index and middle finger to ‘squeegee’ the excess glue back into the bowl. You don't want the pieces too wet or they can rip. 4. Cover your artwork entirely with more strips, carefully smoothing out any air bubbles with your finger tips and manipulating the torn, wet, pieces into any corners and narrow spaces. 5. Continue until you have covered your base shape with two layers of papier mache, then add a final layer of your plain background colour, if using thin paper you may need a couple of layers or part of your design might be to let the newsprint show through the final layer.

PART THREE >> DECORATION

Applying the decoration; 1. Gather your pieces previously cut out from your found papers. Apply the cut out shapes in the same way you added the papier mache strips. The glue should be quite forgiving and give a little time before drying to accurately move the pieces into position. 2. Once all your cut out shapes are in place allow the structure to dry completely.

WORKSHEET #1 &gt;&gt; PAPIER MACHE &gt;&gt; SCULPTURE &gt;&gt; DÉCOUPAGE

WORKSHEET #1 >> PAPIER MACHE >> SCULPTURE >> DÉCOUPAGE