How To: Make a paper mache watermelon

These paper mache techniques are solid and will help you with other paper mache projects. (In case you don't want to make a paper mache watermelon).

Materials needed:
* Plenty of Newspapers
* Flour, water and salt to make the paper mache and a bowl to mix it in
* Two plastic bowls
* Plenty of masking tape
* Green, yellow, brown paints and paintbrushes
* Sandpaper - optional but nice
* Some kind of a spray sealant that leaves a glossy and clear shine

Step One: Roll up the newspapers nice and tight so they fit snugly into the bowls. Put some crumpled newspapers in the bowls too. This is to ensure the bowls don't collapse if you are rough with the watermelon.

Step Two: Now start applying newspapers and masking tape until you get it roughly to the shape of a watermelon. It doesn't have to be perfect at this stage. We will really flesh it out and make it look good with the paper mache.

Step Three: Now apply strips of paper mache and go in different directions. Put it on in several layers and build up the watermelon to a nice shape. With the first layers you don't have to worry too much about wrinkles. But the last layer you should make sure is nice and smooth like the skin of a watermelon. You can even sand it gently to get it smooth before painting it.

Step Four: Now paint the whole watermelon green. Do the bottom half a standard shade of green then as you are working your way up to the top add yellow to the green in steps. So as you paint toward the top the green will be lighter and lighter. This will give it a more natural look.

Step Five: Now, using the side of a sponge, dabble on the yellow stripes. Soften these stripes by painting over them with a very weak and watery wash of green paint. This will make them look more natural.

Step Six: Finally, Spray a light coat of the Clear enamel to give it that watermelon shine.