Lady Skeleton Cinderella

This Halloween, let’s create an elegant lady skeleton inspired by Cinderella, part haunting, part fairytale. This project combines paper mache sculpting, painting, and decorating for a whimsical Día de los Muertos vibe.

Watch Full Youtube Tutorial: https://youtu.be/sSGq3FPNik4

1. Paper mache paste (flour + water or store-bought)
2. Extra flour and water (to adjust consistency)
3. Aluminum foil
4. Sculpting tools (curved and silicone tips)
5. A round shampoo or conditioner bottle (for the dress base)
6. Wooden skewer (for support)
7. Acrylic paints: blue (light, dark, metallic), white, brown, fuchsia, yellow, red, black
8. Metallic markers: bronze, copper, blue
9. Oil pastels: white, pink, dark blue
10. Glue gun
11. Ribbons and lace (optional)
12. Paintbrushes (round and fine-tip)

1. Roll a small ball of paper mache paste and place it on a skewer.
2. Adjust consistency: add flour if too soft, or water if too dry.
3. Draw three guidelines — eyes, nose, and mouth — to keep proportions.
4. Shape the face: rounded top and bottom, flat sides. Smooth with water.
5. Use carving tools to refine the contours.

Artist's Tip: Paper mache isn’t as precise as clay — aim for smoothness, not perfection!

1. Add a small ball for the nose and refine it with a silicone-tipped tool.
2. Carve two deep eye sockets.
3. Adjust the chin once the eyes and nose are set.
4. Sketch a line for the mouth.

This gives your skeleton a charming, expressive look.

1. Roll out a flat piece of paste and place it on the head.
2. Sculpt your chosen hairstyle — here, we’re inspired by Belle from Beauty and the Beast.
3. Define hair sections with a sculpting tool.

Artist’s Tip: Doing a few face sketches beforehand helps you understand proportions and light, essential for realistic sculpture.

1. Wrap foil around the skewer under the head to form the neck.
2. Cover with a thin paper mache layer and smooth it out.
3. Form arms with foil and cover them with paste, keeping them thin and bony.
4. Add rounded shoulders and refine the torso.

1. Use the conditioner bottle as the dress base.
2. Cut it, remove the skewer, and insert the body into the bottle neck.
3. Fill gaps with foil and cover the entire form with paper mache.
4. Add two small balls for the chest and smooth them in with water.

At this stage, your skeleton will really start to take shape!

1. Roll paste into petal shapes and layer them around the dress.
2. Sculpt hands with small paste balls; cut lines for fingers (four per hand).
3. Add thin strips for dress folds.
4. Sculpt small flowers and a headband in her hair.

Patience pays off! Once dry, the figure looks like stone!

1. Paint the dress metallic blue as your base.
2. Add layers of lighter blue on raised areas for highlights.
3. Deepen shadows with dark blue in folds and creases.
4. Paint the face and hands white, with multiple coats for opacity.
5. Paint the hair in light brown, shading with darker tones.

Artist's Tip: Always imagine your light source. Strong shadows enhance realism.

1. Outline eyes, nose, and lips with black.
2. Add red around the eye sockets for a Día de los Muertos touch.
3. Highlight the dress with metallic markers (blue, bronze, copper).
4. Use oil pastels for silky effects and soft blending.
5. Add white pastel to conceal surface imperfections.

1. Glue lace or elastic around the shoulders for a delicate collar.
2. Add ribbons for a shawl or dress trim.
3. Roll thin cords of paper mache for a sculpted collar and paint it blue and white.
4. Add rosy cheeks with pink pastel and subtle red highlights.

Once everything is dry:

1. Check for cracks and smooth with diluted paste or white paint.
2. Fix small mistakes with pastel or paint touch-ups.
3. Seal with a clear matte or satin varnish (optional).

Now your Lady Skeleton Cinderella is ready to haunt your Halloween display with grace and charm!