The Wire and Mesh Technique

So, I've been meaning to update this thing more often, but I just kept putting it off. So, until I get around to writing entries about the rest of my projects, let's talk about a method I've been messing with for a while now.

The Wire and Mesh Technique is actually really simple and can be several different ways. I've used the wireframe thing in the past to create large structures and then cover them in cardboard, which gives okay results, but is is flawed for a few reasons. Most of them being the the wireframe shows through beneath all that cardboard and duct tape if you don't make the framework tight enough.

As seen here

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Often, if the frame is too wide, the cardboard will sag a bit once painted of paper mache'd causing it to end up with a very clear grid shown beneath. The solution here is to cover it in something else before adding the paper mache. In this case, screen door mesh.

This technique was suggested to me when making the Skull Sader helmet. It went like this.

1. Build a 3-dimensional wire frame structure

2. Cover the Structure in metal screen door mesh. Sew around the edges to bind the mesh to the structure.

3. Slop the whole thing with Bondo auto body filler. The mesh will give it something to grab onto and cause it to hold together better.

Chex mix not required.

4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Sand. Sand. SAND. MORE SANDING.

9. Paint, detail, assemble, etc.

And everything after that point is based on the project itself.

While working on another porject, I decided to try this method with the substitution of paper mache and paper clay in place of bondo, because bondo is really heavy and dense. By the way, Paper clay is a type of air dry clay you can buy at most craft stores.

So, skipping ahead a bit. Wireframe + sewed on mesh.

Okay, maybe you could use some chex mix.

Then Paper Mache.

Now, had I continued here and stuck with the paper mache, this could have work spectacularly. It holds well, keeps the shape I want it to have, and I can continue to add and shape it with further layers. but I set out on this project with the intent of using paper clay. Turns out, paper clay doesn't stick to paper mache very well. In fact, it chips right off when dry, which means Paper mache + Paper clay isn't worth the time..

So, I stripped away most of the paper mache and tape and started adding the paper clay. It sticks very well to the mesh and can be sculpted and built up quite easily.

With some sanding, some craving, and a primer layer, it will be done and good to go.

And that's the basic technique! All I can really add, is that you should always keep a bit of water or maybe a spray bottle on hand when working with paper clay. The stuff tends to dry out easily since your hands absorb its natural moisture and it becomes difficult to work with.

I'll be posting again soon with some other, hopefully, useful information.