✏️ Art Project: Paper Mache Clay.

Ingredients include 1 roll of 2-ply toilet paper, soaked in (preferably hot) water, broken up and wrung out. Should equate to 1 cup of paper mush, mixed with 1 cup of joint compound, 3/4th cup of white glue (elmer's is what I used), 1 cup of flower (half at the start, half while you're mixing to thicken it up), and two tablespoons of mineral oil (baby oil). Should turn out like cookie dough, the glue and joint compound mixture should provide enough moisture for clay.

🦎 So, I'm in the process of experimenting with this recipe in trying to create a prototype for a reptile hide (something the lizard would hide in). I first made the clay, but didn't take quite enough step-by-step photos ... and mine came out more like a wet bread dough than cookie dough. I messed up my measurements while I was making it, adding in a bit too much water or glue. The above (in code) is the correct recipe, though you can adjust it however you want.

Since I lack access to Foamular / some type of rigid foam, I'm recycling some boxes and cardboard (wrapping it with masking tape), and then applying the clay. It's an interesting, engaging project to past time. I plan to create a business with a friend of mine to create sculptures, paintings, and reptile/animal hides for terrariums/vivariums.

This is what I have so far - Taped cardboard on the left, progress with the paper mache clay: