Project #146

Time: 2-4 Class Periods
Difficulty: Advanced
Cleanup: Soap & Water

Materials:

Newsprint

Paper Mache Paste

Metallic Paints

Imitation Peacock Feathers

Black Card Stock or Construction Paper

White Tagboard or Card Stock

Wire Cutters

16-Gauge Wire

Masking Tape

Bowl

Scissors

Paint Brushes

Tacky Glue

Awl

View Project Video

Make a peacock out of paper mache! This project also has an instructional video available!

Steps

Step 1
To make a newsprint armature for the peacock sculpture, first crumple and tape a 3" diameter body shape. Second, crumple and tape a 7" tall neck and head shape. Then, tape the two pieces together and bend the neck to form the head.
Step 2
Twist together four 6" pieces of 16-gauge annealed wire. Leave the last 1" untwisted and bend to form the toes of the feet. Insert the legs into the newsprint armature. Make sure the sculpture is balanced and can stand on its own.
Step 3
Mix the paper mache paste according to the directions on the package. Dip newsprint (or newspaper) into the paste and apply to the paper and wire armature. Repeat with two or three more layers. Use strips to wrap the legs and feet. Twist pieces of paper and adhere with paste to create eye and head details.
Step 4
Cut a 3x5" piece of tagboard. Bend it in half and cut a crescent shape. Attach the crescent shape to the back of the peacock with three more layers of papier mâché and allow to dry.
Step 5
Paint the peacock with metallic acrylics and allow it to dry. Using a half sheet of black cardstock, cut out 1-1/2 x 3/4" feather shapes and fold in half and unfold (to create dimension). Glue the paper feathers to the crescent tail in a fan-like fashion. You will need approximately 60-70 feathers.
Step 6
Paint the feathers with metallic acrylics, let dry. With an awl (or other pointed tool) punch holes in the back of the body and insert peacock feathers. Add a shortened feather to the top of the head if desired.

Project #146

Steps

Products Used