Paper Mache Dragon

Hi, today I'm going to show you how to make a cool paper mache dragon. It is eco-friendly and looks very nice when decorated in your house. I built mine as a part of the paper and cardboard contest.

Supplies:-

1. 1mm wire - Used in armature (frame of dragon)
2. 2mm wire - Used in armature (frame of dragon)
3. Superglue
4. Old Newspapers
5. A Bucket (Or any container)
6. Soaked Fenugreek Seeds - These seeds make an excellent adhesive as well as keeping the project organic
7. Pliers - To bend the wire
8. Wire Cutters
9. Acrylic Paints and Paintbrushes
10. Tape (Optional)
11. Paper Tape
12. Aluminium Foil

Bend your 2mm wire into an S shape like the image.

Bend your 2mm wire into an L shape and twist half of the shorter line back to make the feet. Repeat this 3 more times. Now take the legs and bend part of the top towards the body like an upside down L. Place the top L over the body and secure them with 1mm wire. Now adjust it till you have a decent looking skeleton.

Bend your 2mm wire till you get a decent wing shape. Use the superglue to fasten the extra spokes to the wing. Use the normal tape to fasten the wings to the body. Adjust it till the armature can stand on it's own.

Wrap some foil around the armature, and fasten it in place using paper tape. Do this till you have a decent amount of bulk on your armature. You may have noticed that the wings would be drooping downwards. Use the paper tape and foil to secure them at the angle you want. With this step completed, the armature will be finished.

Tear some old news papers into strips and put them in the bucket. Then fill the bucket with water and let it soak for three days. After it is done soaking, grind it up with a blender into a paste and mix it with the fenugreek seeds. When you are storing it, make sure to cover the container with cling foil (the transparent plastic clear foil), and keep it in the fridge.

Take your finished paper mache and apply it to the armature. You will find that the paper mache sticks better to areas covered in paper tape. You can cover more of the armature in paper tape if you find it difficult to apply the paper mache to the wire. Leave it outside a window to dry.

Take the now dried dragon, and paint it. I used blue for the body and golden for the eyes. Use whatever colour you think suits your dragon the best.

Add a net to represent the wing membrane of the dragon. This will also help hold the wings up. I used a mosquito net bought off amazon. Use the superglue (even Fevicol will work for this step), to attach the net to the wings.

Decorate your dragon somewhere in your house. Thanks for reading, and good luck with your dragon!