Papier Mache Big Heads

Students will design and create expressive, three-dimensional papier-mâché “Big Head” sculptures to communicate personal characters.

Objectives

Planning / Inspiration

Students will research contemporary papier mache artists to gather inspiration.
Students will develop original design concepts by sketching and planning their Big Head sculptures.
Students will apply knowledge of form, proportion, and exaggeration to create expressive character designs.

Creation

Students will construct stable armatures using appropriate materials and techniques to support their planned design and artistic vision.
Students will apply Papier Mâché layers effectively to build form and texture on three-dimensional surfaces.
Students will integrate detailed elements and textures that enhance the character and expression of their sculptures.

Finishing

Students will use color and mixed media finishes to communicate mood, personality, and narrative in their work.
Students will evaluate their artwork critically, reflecting on artistic choices and technical execution.

TEKS

117.302(c)(1)(D): Explore the suitability of art media and processes to express specific ideas such as content, meaning, message, appropriation, and metaphor relating to visual themes of artworks using art vocabulary accurately.
117.302(c)(2)(A): Create original artwork using multiple solutions from direct observation, original sources, experiences, and imagination in order to expand personal themes that demonstrate artistic intent.
117.302(c)(2)(D): Create original artwork to communicate thoughts, feelings, ideas, or impressions.
117.302(c)(2)(F): Select from a variety of art media and tools to communicate specific ideas in drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, fiber art, jewelry, mixed media, photography, and digital art and media.
117.302(c)(4)(A): Interpret, evaluate, and justify artistic decisions in artwork by self, peers, and other artists such as that in museums, local galleries, art exhibits, and websites.
117.302(c)(4)(B): Evaluate and analyze artwork using a method of critique such as describing the artwork, analyzing the way it is organized, interpreting the artist's intention, and evaluating the success of the artwork.
117.302(c)(4)(C): Use responses to artwork critiques and assessments to guide personal work.

Vocabulary

Papier mâché – in French, it means “chewed paper”. This versatile technique of molding paper into permanent shapes originated in China, was learned by the Europeans in the 18th century. An art material made of paper torn into strips or made into pulp and mixed with paste or glue. It can be molded into various shapes when wet and produces a solid material that is quite strong when it dries.

Armature - a framework around which a sculpture is built

Scoring - the process of creating a controlled, depressed line or crease in the material to make folding easier, cleaner, and more precise.

Inspiration Artist: Liz Sexton

Liz Sexton has lived and worked in Paris, Berlin, and New York, and has recently returned to her Midwest roots, calling Saint Paul, Minnesota home. For now. Experienced in a wide range of mediums, these days she favors paper mâché for its versatility and accessibility. She enjoys creating sculptural objects, often inspired by the natural world. Her Website

Materials

Lesson Steps

Step 1: Plan it out

Come up with 3 ideas for your own "Big Head" and quick sketch what they would look like.

Scary? Cute? Mysterious? Hilarious? What kind of mask do you want to make?
Remember that you MUST come up with your own ideas, NO copyrighted characters or a copy of someone else's artwork.

Choose your top choice and draw out your complete idea from at least 2 perspectives (front and back, or front and top view...)

Take a picture and turn it in to Google Classroom.

The Steps in General -

(But you are making a Full Head Mask)

Inspiration Artwork

Step 2: Armature

You will start with a basic “egg” (or other simple form) head shape constructed out of cardboard.

You will use scoring (breaking the surface of the top of the cardboard so it bends easily using an x-acto knife) and layering curves for the skull.

Pieces are attached using tape so that adjustments to the structure can be made easier.

Step 3: Facial Features

Once your piece has the basic armature, tape any connections, inside and out to make sure that your structure is solid.

Next, mark out facial proportion lines using a sharpie. Draw correct lines for eye shapes, nose width, lips, and ear placement.

Begin building the basic form of the nose with a piece of cardboard. Cut out eye shapes slightly larger than needed and consider your cardboard armature to be the point where your eye sockets would be. This means that you will have to build the actual form of the face with plastic grocery bags or newspaper. You may also need to cut out “sight holes” from either nostrils or mouth opening so that YOU can actually see out of the mask! It depends where it actually sits on your shoulders.

Step 4: Smaller Details

You can add a round object for the eyes (like Wiffle balls cut in half) or just wad up newspaper/plastic bags.

Make a basic shape of an ear from cardboard, drawing the details of the structure. Cut out the areas where there is a good amount of shadow so that you are creating dimension. Add plastic bags to your cardboard ear, trying to make the form as close to your ears as possible. Make sure that when they are attached, you add a little plastic bag wedge behind the ears so that they sit slightly out from the actual head.

Step 5: Papier Mache

Next comes paper mache! We use the Elmers art paste and mix it with cold water. Tear strips of newspaper ahead of time and make sure that you are completely submerging your newspaper strip, squeegee it between your fingers, and then press/rub it against your big head, assuring that there are no air bubbles and the edges are sealed. Overlap them slightly as you layer and use as many layers as necessary. I think 3-4 should do the trick!

Step 6: Finishing Materials

After you’re satisfied with your papier-mache…the fun begins!

You have options as to how you would like to finish your work.

Paint
Found Objects
Colored Paper (either piñata style or papier mache style)

Rubric & Expectations

TOO SIMPLE

Deeper Thinking Questions:

How does the size and scale of your Big Head affect the way viewers experience it?
What emotions or ideas are you trying to communicate through the exaggerated features of your sculpture?
How do the materials you chose influence the mood or meaning of your piece?
In what ways does building a strong armature impact the success of your final sculpture?
How can texture and surface details change the viewer’s perception of your work?
What challenges have you faced so far, and how have those shaped your artistic decisions?
How might your sculpture change if you simplified or added complexity to certain areas?
How does working in three dimensions change your approach compared to drawing or painting?

Reflection Questions:

Describe your process from initial concept to finished sculpture. What steps were most important?
What artistic decisions are you most proud of in your Big Head? Why?
Were there any moments when you had to change your plan? What prompted those changes?
How did the materials and techniques you used affect the final outcome?
If you could start this project again, what would you do differently and why?
What new skills or insights did you gain from creating this sculpture?
How well do you think your Big Head communicates your intended message or emotion?
How might you take this project further or apply what you learned to future work?

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