Papier mache bio helm--anyone done it?

[cayman shen]

I'm thinking about a quick and dirty predator for halloween, and I was wondering about the simplest way to make a cheapo bio helm. Anyone ever try papier mache?

And while I'm on it, anyone got some rough length/width dimensions I can work with?

Thanks!

 

[Hez]

I've never heard of anyone using papier mache, but that's not to say it couldn't be done! Make a wire armature in the right shape, it could look good enough.

My bio is about 12" wide at the widest point, and over 21" from tip to tip, measuring with the curve of it. That's screen used size though, and will look kinda silly without a similarly sized costume.

Will you be trying to fit it over any kind of mask, or just straight onto your head?

 

[takevin]

My wife made one before i met her, did the whole costume in paper mache. Use a wire frame and paper mache over it. :thumbsup

 

[cayman shen]

Wire frame...good call. Thanks for the measurements, Hez.

I think I just want a wallhanger. Much as I'd LOVE a pred costume, there's no way I can afford it.

 

[division 6]

You could do a sculpt in clay than make a plaster mold then do the paper mache into that.
Preferably with no undercuts so it will pop out easily or do it in 2 parts, upper and lower.

Spray paint onto it (or Vaseline) and do a resin-bondo slosh coating for a pre-smoothed surface.

D6

 

[weaselflinger]

You could also do a clay sculpt and apply the paper mache directly unto the clay. If there are any undercuts you can cut the mask down the middle (or whereever) and then mache mache the two halves back together.

I would use elmers glue thinned with a little water rather than paper mache paste though. Using brown paper bags for the final layer will make it extremely durable as well.

 

[PHArchivist]

My wife made one before i met her, did the whole costume in paper mache. Use a wire frame and paper mache over it. :thumbsup

You married a woman that was into props before you even married her...!?

I stare in glassy-eyed awe!

 

[cayman shen]

You could also do a clay sculpt and apply the paper mache directly unto the clay. If there are any undercuts you can cut the mask down the middle (or whereever) and then mache mache the two halves back together.

I would use elmers glue thinned with a little water rather than paper mache paste though. Using brown paper bags for the final layer will make it extremely durable as well.

Yeah, I'm really trying to avoid the expense of clay, etc. I think I can pick up enough free wire for a frame. It's not gonna be perfect, just a "hey, that was kinda fun" project. Thanks for the tip on the paper bags, that's a good idea.

 

[punisher]

paper mache is the way to go!! I'm working on a strangers mask. You might find a few tips in my thread. hope you get everything to work out!
-Scott