At first I wanted them outstretched but decided tucked in would be better.
I used a large balloon covered with 12+ layers of strips. Cut it in half lengthwise, trimmed them to fit then attached with hot glue.
To get the thin layer I put the pulp between two layers of plastic.
I then used a rolling pin and two 1/4-inch thick wood strips (one on either side) to roll it out.
Here he is totally covered with his new skin.
I decided to make the tail feathers out of Lame'.
First, I cut the Lame' into 3" x 11" strips, making sure that I was on the straight of grain and that the weft thread (which are the pink ones) ran crosswise, leaving the white nylon warp threads going up and down.
I marked the middle of the feather and attached a pipe cleaner with the glue gun.
Next, I glued a second Lame' strip on top of the pipe cleaner.
I cut the two strips into a feather shape, then pulled off all the white warp threads up to the pipe cleaner leaving the feathery weft threads.
Here is his tail completely finished.
There are five wires comprised of three wires in each, and three feathers on each of those wires.
All of the electrical wires and exposed pipe cleaners were wrapped with satin ribbon.
Then pom-poms were applied to hide the ends.
His whole body was coated in Gesso then given an undercoat of purple.
I added the eyes, which are styrofoam balls, then started building up around them with pulp. When the pulp dried, I added some detail with the 'Paper Clay.' I also added a layer of 'Paper Clay' on the beak and sanded it smooth.
