Finishing & Painting
SANDING
I often sand my sculptures before painting them. Sanding for papier-mâché isn’t like sanding wood—you must use a light touch. Also, sand only to take off little chunks of paste or to tone down wrinkled, folded bits. Be careful when doing this or you’ll sand right down to the armature. Take a soft approach with a sanding sponge.
GESSOING
Gesso is an acrylic-based primer that’s applied as a first coat. It prepares the surface to receive paint well. I recommend gessoing all of your sculptures before painting. Papier-mâché is still absorbent after it dries, so putting gesso on first protects the papier-mâché and helps your paint go on better.
The flat, white color of gesso will help make your colors pop! Gesso comes ...
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