Paper mache with white paper towels?

Can lightweight spackling be used with paper mache?

• i have made a zebra head out of regular paper mache ( to be used as a mask ) i plan on making many copies, so making multiple heads out of paper mache would take up a long time so i thought i could use my paper mache head as a mold, then apply spackling to the surface, and then make copies by removing and repeating will spackling dry up like paper mache ? or am i better off just buying plaster ?

• Answer:

  Spackling is great in thin layers to fill all the pores in the surface of your paper mache object, but for casting it is not so handy. Making a cast from Plaster of Paris (gypsum), or perhaps silicone, will probably easier and more successful. As you are talking about duplicating a mask, there is an even easier way which is also used to make casts from people's faces: Get a roll of plaster bandages as used for medical casts (broken legs). If there are no instructions on the package ask at the shop or pharmacy about how to use them. !!! Before you apply the bandage to the mask, wrap the mask tightly in clingfilm (will not stick to the plaster), or aluminium foil which you cover lightly with vaseline (might not come off 100%), Note: I'm about to launch my arts & crafts website (below), hopefully on Nov. 2nd. My first focus will be on paper mache and other paper crafts. Click and have a look then!