Hello everyone,

It's been a long time since I've posted a blog.  Been lurking just haven't had time to finish any projects with everything going on.  A couple of set backs on the hands and work always getting in the way!  LOL!!  Anyway the February "How to is finally complete.  March is almost finished as well so expect that real soon.  Thank you all for your patience on this and hope this helps you!

February “How To”

I have been told that making hands is one of the tougher projects that can be made with paper mache because of the detail needed.  Well I guess if you conquer this you can conquer anything then.  So let’s get started.

Since I needed hands that we’re pretty close to life size I decided to model them after my own.  For this project you will need a 1 ½“ coupling, wire, something to start the shape of the fingers (I used small PVC pipe 3/8” which is not readily available to everyone) like foam or maybe packing peanuts, some sculpting tools (16 penny nail, paint brush handle, toothpick), heat gun or hairdryer, drill, wire cutters/pliers and a place to work you don’t mind getting messy!

Start with the coupling which will be the wrist.  I used a threaded one because that is all I had lying around at the time. 


Since I make all my figures out of 1 ½“ PVC pipe this was the obvious choice.  In order to fit it correctly you will need to modify one end of the coupling.  Using a heat gun (hairdryer takes longer but will work) you will need to heat up one end of the coupling until it is pliable.  To do this easily I placed one end of the coupling over a piece of pipe then heated the other end so my hands are nowhere near the heat.  Once you get it to temperature take a 2x4 and press the side you heated into a more flat shape like you see below.  Hold it for about 30 seconds (let it cool down a bit) so it will hold the new shape.

Once it is completely cooled down it is time to drill some holes.  This isn’t exact science but you will need to think a little.  If you’re making a right hand you will need to change the thumb position as opposed to making a left.  I need one of each so I’ll show you the difference (below).  You will need to drill one hole for each finger and one hole for the thumb. 


Now we need to add the wire for the fingers.  You will need 5 pieces about 10-12” long for each hand.  I’m using wire so I can shape the fingers into the shape I want later and so I can show the detail of the fingers.  You will end up with a Freddy Krueger looking hand (below).

Next we will need to add the finger detail (finger bones).  You will need three pieces for each finger and two for the thumb (I used three for the thumb; I’m experimenting with something but that’s another blog) for each hand you make.  They do not have to look pretty remember they will be covered by pulp!  These are just to keep your bearings as you’re creating the hand.   If you look close you can see that I make a loop in the wire about three inches up to keep the fingers from falling into the palm area.  I also bend the wire over the finger tip to prevent the “bones” from falling off the end of the wire.  You will need to cut the excess wire off at this point.

As you see these are completed and ready for pulp.  Adding the pulp is a long process that requires you to add a layer, let it dry, add another layer and so on.  The more time you take with this process the more detail you will have in the finished product.  When you get close to the end then you can add large amounts at a time which makes it easier to sculpt.  To start this lay your hand flat on a non-stick surface such as an old table cloth like I’m using.  Add a layer of pulp to each bone of each finger.  Be careful not to cover your joint too much so you can shape it later.  Once the first layer is dry, shape your fingers how you want them then turn the hand over and add a layer to the other side to completely cover each finger. 

As you add layers you will begin to see the shape you want.  Continue to add until you achieve your goal.  In my case these are going to be skeleton hands which may be different then what you want.  Once the fingers are completed start making the palm area.  You can add large amounts of pulp at a time to this area but remember it will take more time to dry.  Be careful here, you’ll want to leave a little gap (about ½”) between the palm area and the fingers leaving the wire exposed.  This design again will be up to what kind of hands you are making but you will want to begin sculpting the general shape.  Once this process is complete you will begin the final process of design.  This is the final touch as you will.  Start by bending your fingers into the final design you are making.  If you’re going to have the hands hold something you should have that something handy.   Finalize the position of your fingers by adding a little pulp over all exposed wire areas making sure it makes contact with both sides.  As this dries tear strips of paper into various widths and lengths (you can use any paper, newspaper, toilet paper, paper towels anything you have handy).  Using a paintbrush (I use a 1” natural bristle) paint white glue over a surface area a little larger than a strip of paper you tore earlier.  Then adhere the paper to the area with glue and paint glue aver the top of the paper as well until all the strip has be covered (not heavy) with glue.  Repeat this process until your entire hand is cover with paper smooth paper finish.  Note:  When you’re adding the strips make sure you paint the glue and push the paper into any grooves or special sculpts you created during the pulp process.  After everything is dry you will want to start adding details to your hand.  Again your details will be different than mine depending on the style if hand you are building.  For this process you will want to use cotton balls and white glue.  Tear off a piece of cotton ball, shape it into what you want then paint glue on your hand and over the piece of cotton.  You can make veins, knuckles, lines, wrinkles, etc. the possibilities are endless.  Also, if you need finger nails you can use those press on nails but you will need to plan for this during the sculpting phase of this project and you will need to glue them on.

Now it’s time for the last of the details, painting!!  This is in your hands (forgive the pun) all colors, details will need to done per your standards.  There is no wrong answer here.  The best part about painting is if you don’t like it, you can repaint it!!  Simple isn’t it.  I will tell you though that I have successfully used spray paint, acrylic paint, craft paint and house paint.  So pretty much any paint you have laying around will work.  Craft paints are the easiest to use though because they clean up the best and are the easiest to change tints (mixing colors to achieve a desired color).

And there you have it!!  Hands to die for!!

Tags: Haunt Wizard How To Paper Mache Hands

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