Prop Advice

[holytoastr]

I made the scythe out of paper mache over a foam base. When the paper was dry, I sanded it down until it looked and felt perfectly smooth. But then when I started to paint it, every single strip of paper stood out as if it hadn't been sanded at all!

Is there anything I can do or use to stop that and make it actually look smooth?

Comments

[skwerlie.livejournal.com]

Maybe a top coating of paperclay would help? It's like paper mache but instead of paper strips it's like... paper pulp, so it's supposed to sand well. I've never used it but I know it's very popular for cosplay props and things. : /

[holytoastr.livejournal.com]

Is that the stuff that you recommended before? Because NONE of my stupid craft stores had it. The employees thought I was crazy asking for it.

Hmmmm, but if it's paper pulp, maybe I can make it myself..... *plots*

[skwerlie.livejournal.com]

http://www.paperclay.com/

That's the stuff I'm talking about (you can buy it from the site too, and apparently Michael's carries it)... I googled "how to make paper clay" but I got a lot of results for a type of paper clay for ceramics artists, which is a mix of paper pulp and regular clay and needs firing, I don't know if there's any instructions on how to make the air-dry variety. : / I'm not sure if it's actually paper mache made with pulp, since I've never used it, but that's what I've heard it described as being like. You could always try making your own and see how it goes. : )