4
Protect the area with newspaper
or plastic sheeting. The papier-mâché
process is not quite as messy as an
actual active volcano in your living
room, but it is messy.
5 Mix your
papier-mâché
gloop. Mine is
one-part glue to
one-part water.
Stir thoroughly.
6
Papier-mâché all over the
newspaper balls. You know the drill:
tear long thin strips of newspaper, dip
them in the gloop, remove the excess
gloop with your fingers, place the
strip on the surface and smooth it
down. When you have finished the
first layer leave it to dry and then
repeat this step again. Leave the
whole thing to dry between layers.
You’ll need three layers for
maximum strength.
7
When the entire structure is dry, paint the rocks. I
did a layer of black paint first, then I took a large, dry
brush and gave the rocks a very light dusting of
white/ light grey paint to highlight the angles. You
can add as much colour as you like, but don’t sweep
with your brush, instead you want to tickle, stipple
and smoosh (yes, that is the technical term) .
8 Leave to dry. I know, waiting is annoying, but
the more patient you are, the better your final result
will be.
9 Paint the lava. Paint a blob of white in the middle,
Blend as you go to get a smooth transition between
colours. Isn’t it amazing to think that our entire
planet once looked like this?
TAKE IT FURTHER:
Why not have a go at recreating a crystal
geode using the same techniques? Be sure
to send us photos of your makes. We love
to see your handiwork!
where the heat would be most intense. Then work
outwards from light yellow, through orange to
bright fluorescent red where the lava is beginning
to cool and harden.