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Help, what have I done wrong

#1 2007-02-17 09:19:48

newmodeller
Member
From: Nottingham
Registered: 2007-02-07
Posts: 240
Website

Help, what have I done wrong

I am beginning to think that pulp PM and I are not destined to mix.  I followed Martin Favreau's recipe for porcelain finish pulp.  Mine isn't sad

what did I do wrong, I have a slightly bendy blotchy finish.  I applied the pulp last night, have been airdrying since (approx 12 hours so realise that it probably needs a lot longer).

I am beginning to wonder if I did not rip the toilet paper finely enough, or that I was wrong in my estimation of how much half a roll was to the liquid component.

Any thoughts?


www.pawtraits.co.uk
www.puppetsndolls.etsy.com
Papiermache.co.uk gallery: Charlotte Hills

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#2 2007-02-17 15:26:43

dopapier
Moderator
From: UK
Registered: 2004-12-04
Posts: 754

Re: Help, what have I done wrong

big_smile
I think you've diagnosed the problem yourself - you didn't rip the toilet paper into small enough pieces.  In fact you should go much further than this. 
I separate the layers of the paper (usually three in the stuff we use) and tear each one into pieces about 1cm square.  Cover them well with water then mash and mash with a fork until you cannot find any identifiable piece of paper.  Strain out most of the water and mash it some more.  Squeeze out the remaining water, replace it with paste, mash it more.  Add some ground chalk (not obligatory but it helps) and mash some more.  It should then be a pottery clay type texture and should model as you want.
Only use it for fine layers or detail modelling.
DavidO


I'm a PM addict

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#3 2007-02-17 16:17:21

newmodeller
Member
From: Nottingham
Registered: 2007-02-07
Posts: 240
Website

Re: Help, what have I done wrong

Thanks David,

luckily I was able to remove most of the blotchy pulp from the armature and underlayers, helped by following your tip on painting over with pva.  I think I have managed to rescue enough of the original piece to have another go. 

You never know, 3rd time lucky! yikes


www.pawtraits.co.uk
www.puppetsndolls.etsy.com
Papiermache.co.uk gallery: Charlotte Hills

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#4 2007-02-18 12:35:23

Seeria
Member
From: Wisconsin
Registered: 2006-12-25
Posts: 81

Re: Help, what have I done wrong

Keep at it. Our family has had a lot of failures since starting PMing this year, which we've learned from (and some that still stump us heh).  lol

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#5 2007-02-18 14:15:45

newmodeller
Member
From: Nottingham
Registered: 2007-02-07
Posts: 240
Website

Re: Help, what have I done wrong

Thanks, it helps knowing I am not alone with my dustbin! :oops: , I know that I learn a lot from the failures, but it is so frustrating when you patiently wait out the drying time and then find you have to bin the hard work.


www.pawtraits.co.uk
www.puppetsndolls.etsy.com
Papiermache.co.uk gallery: Charlotte Hills

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#6 2007-02-19 05:06:26

CatPerson
Moderator
From: Washington State, U.S.A.
Registered: 2006-01-09
Posts: 1314

Re: Help, what have I done wrong

Some intelligent person (probably an inventor or craftsperson) said that you learn more from your mistakes than from your successes.

If so, I must be nearing absolute BRILLIANCE!!!  big_smile

Sue

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#7 2007-02-19 08:47:53

snoozysnowshoes
Member
From: England
Registered: 2007-01-29
Posts: 153
Website

Re: Help, what have I done wrong

All i can say its a good job i make things from recycled products because quite a few times they have ended up back in the sack for recycling  smile

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