Home >> Hobbies >> Other Hobbies

How to Make a Paper Mache Head With a Moving Mouth

A ventriloquist's dummy can cost a fortune, but an option for the amateur hobbyist is to create your own paper mache head with a moving mouth. This is accomplished by creating a mold using clay, then applying the paper mache. The two lips are separated and a simple system using a spring and cord allow you to make the mouth move. Once the dummy head is complete you can attach it to a manufactured or homemade body.

Things You'll Need

Modeling clay
Glass globe
Newspaper
Flour
Water
2 blocks of wood
Sandpaper
3 eyelets
Drill
Spring
Piano wire
Cord
Cement
Scissors
Craft glue
Enamel paint

Instructions

- 1
  Roll the clay between your hands to soften it, then spread it over half of the glass globe. Add small chunks of clay to the center of the face to become the nose, cheeks and chin. Begin shaping the details in the face using your fingers as you desire.
- 2
  Cover the back portion of the head with a layer of modeling clay, allowing a small gap so that you can remove the clay once the paper mache has set. Use your hands to shape the back of the head as per your liking. Include a small dent at the bottom to mimic where the head meets the neck. Finish up any details before casting your head.
- 3
  Mix together one part flour for two parts water to create the paper mache paste. Shred bits of newspapers and magazines to make the strips for the paper mache.
- 4
  Dip strips of paper into the paste so that they are thoroughly saturated. Apply the paper mache to the clay head, so that both portions are completely covered in a layer of approximately 3/16 inch. Press the strips into any indentations to get the details of the head. Allow the strips to dry thoroughly, and then gently remove each side of the head from the mold.
- 5
  Slice between the two lips of the face with a razor blade to form the movable mouth. Sand and cut a small block of wood to the size of the lower mouth and jaw, then insert one eyelet into the bottom, back portion of it and one eyelet into the top center portion of it. Cement it into place at the lower jaw.
- 6
  Cut another small block of wood and insert an eyelet into its center. Cement it to the top, center of the face portion of the head with the eyelet facing down.
- 7
  Connect the spring's hook to the top block of wood through the eyelet. Connect the bottom of the spring to the top eyelet in the lower jaw of the dummy. If you are working with a smaller spring you can extend the connection to the lower jaw using piano wire.
- 8
  Tie a cord around the bottom eyelet that is long enough to hang free of the head. When you pull this cord the jaw will lower, giving the head the appearance of speaking.
- 9
  Trim excess strips hanging off the two sides of the face, and then join them together using a strong craft glue. Apply additional layers of paper mache to the inside joint in order to fully secure the connection. Allow these strips to dry.
- 10
  Sand over the entire head using a fine-grain sandpaper. Apply flesh-colored enamel to the head and paint any details using enamel paint.

Other Hobbies