Paper clay is an inexpensive and practical material for carving, made from toilet paper, glue, and a few other materials from a building material store. Paper clay can replace paper mache for a smoother and more realistic result. It only takes about five minutes to make paper clay. This paper clay will also dry in the air to a certain hard surface that you can paint on.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Making Paper Clay
Step 1. Gather the ingredients
To make paper clay, you'll need toilet paper and a few other materials you can find at a building material store. This recipe makes a soft clay, and can be molded into any shape you have prepared. This paper clay will dry to a hard surface that you can paint or varnish. Here are the ingredients you will need:
- 1 roll of single layer toilet paper (no lotion, fragrance or color added)
- 1 cup premixed joint compound (don't buy it in powder form; choose the “regular” one)
- 3/4 cup PVA glue (white glue)
- 2 tbsp mineral oil
- 1/2 cup white flour
- 2 large bowls
- electric stirrer
- Measuring cup
Step 2. Remove the tissue from the cardboard roll
It's neater to remove it right away by tucking it out of the cardboard roll, rather than stretching out the tissue all the way through. Place the tissue roll in one of the bowls.
Step 3. Fill the bowl with water
Pour onto paper towels until completely wet. Press the tissue paper into the water to make sure it is completely submerged.
Step 4. Squeeze out the tissue paper and place the pulp in a separate bowl
Tear it into small pieces (2.5 cm or less) so you can squeeze out as much water as possible. Place the clumps of pulp in a separate bowl so you can mix them with the other ingredients. Continue until you have squeezed out all the tissue paper.
Step 5. Prepare 1 cups of pulp
One roll of toilet paper generally yields 1 cups of pulp. If your toilet paper brand makes very small or very large rolls, you may have more or less than you need. Make more pulp or remove excess pulp, so you have 1 cups of pulp in the bowl.
Step 6. Add the rest of the ingredients
Add one cup of premixed joint compound, cup of white glue, 2 tablespoons of mineral oil, and cup of white flour to a bowl.
Do not replace these ingredients. Different types of glue, oil, flour and more will change the consistency of your paper clay and give you the results you don't want
Step 7. Mix the clay mixture until soft
Use your electric stirrer to stir at high speed. The paper fibers will crumble and mix with the mixed compound, glue, oil and flour until it becomes soft and has the consistency of bread dough.
- If you want a tougher clay, add half a cup of flour.
- For a lighter consistency, add half a cup of white glue.
Method 2 of 2: Using Paper Clay
Step 1. Prepare the carving mold
Paper clay is usually used to replace sheets of paper mache, which is used by dipping it in water and attaching it to a engraving mold of wire or paper adhesive. Paper clay is used in the same way, but more neatly, and has a more professional-looking finish. Prepare your engraving mold for clay use.
Step 2. Apply the clay to the mold using a knife
The paper clay will be workable, much like cake cream, and you'll be able to apply it directly to the mold for a smooth finish. Apply a full layer of clay to the mold, as you would if you were using a sheet of paper mache.
- If you prefer to use a more clayey loam and carve it out with your fingers, follow the steps above to add flour to create a more clayey consistency. Use your fingers, a spoon, or another tool to help you apply the clay to your mold.
- Let the first coat dry. The clay will begin to harden into a hard outer layer, and you will be able to build it up using more paper clay.
Step 3. Add layers
Apply an extra layer of clay where you want it to appear thicker. Keep adding layer by layer, letting the layers dry, and adding more as needed. You can add as much or as little layer of clay as you like to your engraving. The more you add, the heavier your engraving will be.
Step 4. Make detailed carvings with your fingers as well as with other tools
For example, if you are carving a face, you will be able to add important details around the eyes, nose, and mouth. Continue carving with your fingers and other tools until you are happy with the result.
Step 5. Allow the clay to harden before you paint it
After a day or two it will harden like a rock. Do not color or apply varnish until it is completely dry. Paper clay works well with whatever paint or varnish you want to use.
Step 6. Store the remaining clay in an airtight container
This will prevent the clay from hardening when not in use. If you store it in an airtight container, the clay can keep for several weeks.
Tips
- Paper clay works great as an addition to pre-made engraving prints.
- Use a rolling pin and line it with a sink drain, which drains the water directly into the sink as you grind the pulp. Better than squeezing and gives a more even result.
