howtostepbystep

Washi Paper (Your choice of thickness & color), awl, glue (wallpaper paste is good to use), wire (16 or 18 gauge), wire cutter, scissors, wood plaque (for stand).

Materials

Body:

After you decide the size of sculpture, cut 2 wires.
21" x 28", 28" x 36" or 24" x 30"
Shorter wire for the head and arms.
Longer wire for the body and legs.

Make a ball of washi paper (very firm and tight), insert into a circle of wire for the head.

Take a bunch of cut paper, lay in between body wires front and back around the arms and legs.

Cut a ribbon from washi paper and put the glue on.

Tighten around the bunch of cut paper while wrapping with glued washi paper ribbons.

Hands:

Glue a tightly rolled strip of washi paper, then put glue on the ends. I make these long and thick enough to make two fingers with each roll.

Lay the finished roll of fingers on the glued washi paper, cut between the fingers, roll paper around and paste on fingers. Flip over and repeat same step.

Start to build up fingers with small, glued paper one finger at a time, then build up enough thickness on palms and attach to the wrist.

Begin building the layers. Before putting on the next layer, make sure it dries overnight. Repeat for 12-15 layers (if I use the thickest paper I only use 8-10 layers).

Face:

Cut 2 half moon shaped pieces of black washi paper, positioning glue on the moon shape and paste on the face.

Glue the small cut pieces on both sides. Fold in half, lay down from inside upper eyelid toward the outside. Build up until desired shape is achieved. Then do the same for the lower eyelid.

Add the nose.
Add the lips.
I add extra layers to make a chubby face on cheeks.
Glued, hand torn, colored paper is used for the blush.

Hair:

Glue both sides of the strip of paper.
After you decide the hair length, hand cut and secure one end to the head. cover the whole head until you achieve the desired style.

* Start from the base and move up toward the crown.
**When I position or glue down I use an awl to minimize flattening of small pieces or small areas.

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