Make Paper Mache Smooth With Drywall Joint Compound

For a text version of this tutorial, click here: www.ultimatepapermache.com/sm...
I used paper strips and paste for the mask in this demonstration, but you can use drywall joint compound with paper maché clay, too. You can even use it with the silky smooth air dry clay if it doesn't come out quite as smooth as you want to. Any brand of drywall joint compound will work. If you use just a thin layer you can easily remove it with a damp sponge or cloth. If you put on too much, or if you're in a real hurry, you can use sandpaper - but do it outside to keep the dust out of your house, and use a mask to keep the dust out of your lungs.
Recipe links:
Paper mache clay - • Paper Mache Clay Recip...
Silky-Smooth air dry clay - • Jonni's DIY Air-Dry Cl...
Cooked flour and water paste - • Cooked Flour And Water...
Other links:
🦁 Lion King Jr. lion mask patterns - www.ultimatepapermache.com/Li...
👦 The mannequin pattern - www.ultimatepapermache.com/ma...
🐰 More than 50 patterns for paper mache masks and sculptures - www.ultimatepapermache.com/pa...

[@adrianalisowska5905]

I would like to thank you for shering your enormous knowlage with us, I have learnt from you soooo much! Greetings from Poland!

[@UltimatePaperMache]

Awesome, thank you! 😊

[@diecast_MikeEspo]

Another great video. Good information and directions. Very cool 😎. Mike

[@alanm3438]

Thanks for the video. That is a great idea. I done that with my projects in the past. Paining it first was ok because it sealed it and it lets you know how much you have wiped off. I always use a fan to help dry the project. Always good to see you. You are the best. 😃😃😃😃🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@UltimatePaperMache]

Thanks, Alan! 😊

[@lisengel2498]

Very inspiring 🙏♥️

[@UltimatePaperMache]

Glad you think so! 😊

[@rociolanderosloera6905]

Excellent! ,Thanks 👍

[@UltimatePaperMache]

Glad you liked it!

[@noemid1458]

Hi I have a question that joint compound you bought at the hardware store is the same one you use in your paper clay machine because Walmart no longer carries the one that I used in your previous videos

[@UltimatePaperMache]

Yes, that's true. I don't know why they stopped selling it, but they did. To make paper mache clay, the only brand that seems to work every time is the USG brand. But for smoothing the surface of a paper mache sculpture or mask, like I did in this video, any brand will work.

[@123chrismas]

You’re so amazing! Are these for a stage performance of the lion king?

[@UltimatePaperMache]

Yes. We don't have a performance of the play scheduled at our local community theater or school, but my patterns have been used to make headdress masks for many productions of the Lion King Jr., in a lot of different countries. I gave my first set of finished masks to our local theater, but they haven't had a chance to use them yet. 🙂

[@123chrismas]

@@UltimatePaperMache wow, that’s incredible. Your work is so inspiring. Thank you for all that you do! 💖🌹

[@cemcd99]

You should try putting it on with a brush!

[@UltimatePaperMache]

I never thought of that! Have you tried it?

[@JanineMKartist]

I have an unfinished deer head and I’m not spot with the antlers that’s covered in apoxie clay over foil and wire etc. they are too crooked. Any advice for what I can do to fix it? Should I saw them off abd start over? Good for making his antlers ?

[@UltimatePaperMache]

If the apoxie clay has cured, you might need to break the antlers at the points where you want to straighten them out, If the wire and foil are still OK after making them straight, you can repair the damage with more epoxie clay. If you make sure to overlap the old clay, it should be strong enough after it cures. Good luck with it!

[@JanineMKartist]

@@UltimatePaperMache it has a rock hard under layer of mache over the foil

[@UltimatePaperMache]

@@JanineMKartist Is it possible to saw it apart? If not, you might have to start over. 😕

[@lisasternenkind6467]

Very often it's easier to start all over instead of trying to fix things. I'ld saw them off where they are still okay and redo the rest. Imagine it being a kind of amputation to recover the deer's life so sawing off won't hurt you so much. 😊

[@JanineMKartist]

@@UltimatePaperMache or I accept the wonky look. Lol. I hate the waste of the apoxie layer. But that’s what I may do. Any tips for making good antlers ?

[@PetrikNZ]

Acrylic paint and latex paint would not be the same. Acrylic paint is a plastic polymer and latex is rubber.

[@UltimatePaperMache]

But do they actually include latex now in latex paint? I read somewhere that they don't do that anymore, but I can't remember where I saw it.

[@DoYouScribble2]

​@@UltimatePaperMache Latex 'prolly does fine, if that's what you've got. what you're looking for is PVA-based primer. often Latex-based primers includes PVA 'cuz of cost-savings ( basically it's just Elmer's school-glue, or Mod-Podge ) many brands make a purely PVA primer, such as Valspar or KILZ. just make sure it says PVA on it. another hack is to buy a gallon of Tightbond II wood-glue & mix it half & half with Elmer's school glue. that'll make a durable PVA seal to prime your surface, which is compatible with acrylic