A Tissue Makeover

Much more the thing: tissue covers the unsightly pulp layer that had yellowed with ageMonths and months have passed since I last touched my papier maché masks. Today I finally made time to get onto the next stage. My poor masks looked like lepers after the failed pulp experiment; I’d decided to try tissue paper because I’d read it gave papier maché a porcelain-like finish. Anything to restore their complexions…

Six cups of water and one quarter cup flour boils down to thisWhile the flour and water glue was cooking (1/4 cup flour added to one cup water and mixed til smooth, then added to five cups of boiling water, and cooked for several minutes to thicken), I began tearing tissue paper into usable strips.

I’d been squirreling away white tissue paper all these months, having discovered that the tissue paper used for wrapping in stores is softer and easier to tear than giftwrap tissue – maybe it is recycled? Tearing the paper using just my hands proved too laborious, and I quickly subverted the use of a steel ruler.

Four or five sheets of tissue paper are more than enough for the job – there’s plenty left over for next timeI found that once the tissue paper was dipped in the flour paste, it became very delicate, which meant I had to work at a fast clip. The tissue took on the consistency of cellophane rice noodles and their recalcitrant slippery nature, and the protective dropcloth soon became slopped with paste.

The tissue took on the consistency of cellophane rice noodles and their recalcitrant slippery nature…

It was a fun, tactile experience however, and I’m really pleased with the end result. Now that the bumpy pulp has been covered up in many layers of tissue, you can see the sweet expressions of my bearded gentleman and his lady once more. A couple more rounds of tissue and then they’ll be ready for some gesso!