Skulls

Papier mache, also known as paper mache, is easy to make. Using paper mache to make crafts items like ornaments, figurines and other shapes is very economical and also eco-friendly. This is because it uses waste paper in the form of old newspapers, stationery, gift wrapping or any other kind of left-over paper.

This skull was painted after I visited a mexican art exhibition. Everyone who hears about the day of the dead festivities in Mexico are intrigued, and I was especially intrigued by the art and the beautiful home-made decorations that surround this strange and wonderful day. Wonderfully colourful skulls, made from papier mache and hand-painted in vibrant colours, were perhaps the most vibrant and striking of all so I had to make my own. I used a wierd recipe in which I first heated newspaper strips in a pan, then blended it to form a pulp, and added a glue and water mix. This set very solid and is almost like plastic! I also made some bowls with this recipe and they are very tough and flexible!

And the real thing in Mexico:

Skulls for sale in Mexico: all hand-painted each one different!

An original painted skull from mexico.