Step 5: Build the Arms

I cut a length of 14" galvanized utility wire and folded it in half. After holding it against the body and adjusting the size, I wrapped the arm with a plastic shopping bag and packing tape leaving the ends of the wire exposed (I'll need them to attach the arms to the torso, and the fingers to the hands).

This was followed by layers of strip mache.

building an arm

Next: Covering with clay and adding the fingers.

building an arm The fingers are simply small lengths of wire covered with Crayola Model Magic and shaped into a pointed claw.

I could have used cotton balls or paper or anything else to build up the claws but I was impatient. I will need to strengthen these little digits still with something else since Crayola's product is very flimsy.

I tucked the ends of wire into a piece of styrofoam to a) help with drying and b) to hold the claws side by side for me to compare as I build the next one.

building an arm I'd made the wires for the fingers too short to wrap them around the wire sticking out of the end of the arm at the wrist. Instead, I packed it with Crayola clay and inserted the fingers into it with the finger wire nestled against the inside edge of the paper mache.

The one thing about the Crayola clay is that you can bend it even after it's dry, and because it has the wire at the core of the finger it won't just snap off. This was handy since I found a small lantern at the dollar store (after I'd made the fingers) that I want the prop to hold.

I covered the arm and wrists with a basic clay and then (eventually) recovered the knuckles and claws with Delight paperclay.

When all was dry, it was time to attach the arms to the shoulder area of the body. What I did do was make some small holes through the plaster in the body, ran wire through the shoulder loops built into the arm ends (at the top of each arm) and then covered it with clay.

It needed to be supported while the first layer dried.

Let dry. Repeat.

Now here's some important points: Is there a better way to have done this? Yes. Should I have attached wire to the glue bottle before it was covered with clay and have it come out at the shoulders in anticipation of attaching the arms? Yes. But I didn't.

The arm is solid and he'll be able to hold the lantern without any trouble.

Time to deal with the feet using the same technique, and then start to paint.