DIY How to make an Embossed Painting - Paper Mache - Chalk Powder

How to Make an Embossed Painting on Cloth using Paper Mache and Chalk Powder.

Importance of Paper Mache 

Paper Mache is strips of paper or fabric that is ripped up, dipped in a glue mixture (water and glue mix, water and flour, or ceramic/chalk powder mix), then applied around a form. The forms could be anything, balloons, wires that give a general shape. Another method is to soak paper in water for 48 hours and grinding it in a grinder. Then, it could be mixed with glue and used as clay for moulding.

The strips are applied in several layers so that the whole structure is sturdy and stable. In some cases, the inner form is removed before completion or the whole thing is created in pieces, removed from the form, and then put together with more layers. This is so it is as light as possible. Then it's sanded, painted.

Paper Mache came about as an easy, cheap, and lightweight solution to make objects. It's not a new thing; the Russians used it to make boxes, trays, jewellery, etc., in the 1700's. People may look on it as pretty rudimentary or as just a kid's craft project now, but artists, both now and in history, that have worked with it have produced some really amazing pieces. It could also be called as an eco-friendly craft work as it reduces and recycles a large amount of paper waste. In many cases, it could be replaced with plastics (Home decor, bowels, packing material, etc) which further reduce the problem with plastics. Nowadays it is also used for making embossed paintings. This is a tutorial on how to make one such painting. 

This is one such Embossed painting which I have made with paper mache and Chalk powder.

You Need - 

- Paper mache

 - Chalk powder/Ceramic Powder

- Acrylic paints

- Cloth 

- Brushes

- 2-3 Bowels

- Sponge

How to make Paper Mache for this Project -

Tear some newspaper into small pieces and soak them in water for an entire 24 hrs. Then, grind the soaked papers in mixie or grinder. Then mix 500 gm of chalk/ceramic powder in 3 cups of paper mache. After adding the powder, mix it with hands to get a dough like this -

Then follow these Steps -

1.  Take a cotton cloth and cut it in a shape required
2. Fix it on a hard board using tweezers.
3.  Mould the paper clay into the design required and paste it on the cloth.
4. Cover the entire background with chalk/ceramic paste using hands and sponge to give a good texture.
5. Leave it for 2-3 days to dry.
6. After drying, Paint it with acrylic colors.

Follow this Video for further assistance 

Thanks for viewing

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