The Simple Screamer: A Guide to the Art of Papier and Cloth Mache [Paperback]

Dan Reeder (Author)

Book Description

8 1/4 X 10 3/4 In, 96Pp, 20 Full-Color and 130 Black & White Photos, Ages 7 To Adult It's Art At Its Ugliest. But Isn't It Wonderful? Lively Prose and Step-By-Step Photographs Will Have You Bringing MacAbre and Whimsical Screamers To Life In No Time--Even If You Have No Artistic Talent. Dan Reeder, Well Known In The Pacific Northwest As "Dan The Monster Man, " Has A Semi-Twisted, Humorous Style That Dances Through His Instructions.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Contents Introduction Crumple Papier Mache Teeth, Eyeballs, Jaws Fingers, Toes, Tongue Cloth Mache Limbs Assembly Painting Drool Examples

From the Back Cover

Building a simple Screamer is goof-proof, easy, and great fun. It can change your entire life. With a Screamer in your living room, you will be noticed as never before! You will learn to use an art medium that allows access to the world of large sculpture. Once your Screamer begins to take shape, you'll be hooked. Papier and cloth mache might very well take over the entire house! And that is only the beginning . . . Contains step-by-step illustrated instructions for creating your own Screamer.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Gibbs Smith, Publisher (August 19, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879051639
• ISBN-13: 978-0879051631
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #69,748 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #19 in Books > Arts & Photography > Sculpture

More About the Author

I am an artist living in Seattle, Washington. I have been making monsters for many years. I created my first monster while teaching fifth grade in 1972. I insisted that my students make monsters because it guaranteed their success. After all, who would know if that horn or hump was in the wrong place? Because monsters were easier to paint with mouths open, they all looked to be screaming. Hence the "Screamer" was born. Over the years I developed my own variation of traditional paper mache. I also invented the process I call "cloth mache" which involves adding a "skin" of cloth dipped into white glue. I like to think that my first book, "The Simple Screamer: A Guide to the Art of Papier and Cloth Mache" (1984,Gibbs Smith Publishers) and the sequel, "Make Something Ugly for a Change: The Definitive Guide to Papier and Cloth Mache" contributed to a small renaissance of paper mache art. It is an amazing art form. I can think of no other medium that lends itself so well to large sculpture or that accommodates so well the novice and professional artist alike. I'm very excited to announce the arrival of my latest book, "Papier Mache Monsters: Turning Trinkets and Trash into Magnificent Monstrocities" (Gibbs Smith Publishers). This is my most comprehensive book yet. Fully illustrated (more than 350 illustrations) and easy to follow, this book gives away every secret I know about monster making. I must warn you in advance, the writing is a bit on the strange, irreverent side, but appropriate for most literate adults and semi-mature kids (ie. You must be at least 6 years old to understand the humor, at least 19 years old to be offended.) Do this art! It will change your life.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unleash Your Creativity!, August 20, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Simple Screamer: A Guide to the Art of Papier and Cloth Mache (Paperback)

Before I ordered "The Simple Screamer", I thought this book was going to be flimsy magazine-paper type book. But, I was mistaken (for the better), this book's paper cover, is of a very hard-wearing variety and the pages are of good paper and the photographs very clear. I should also note that the directional photographs are black-&-white, but that does not hinder the information provided through them and no problems should arise because of this.

The directions Dan Reeder provides are easily understood and at times quite funny (there are all sorts of little things that he manages to include that tweak my funny bone, just look at the "items needed" page at the front of each chapter. I also particularly enjoyed looking at his own creations, in full color at the back of the book, they are full of creativity and have inspired many "screamers" from me.

Although there are an infinite types of screamers you could make following the directions in this book, I would also recommend getting the sequel, "Make Something Ugly, For a Change" that book will teach you a lot more techniques for making Screamers, although purchasing it is not necessary (but I highly recommend it all the same!)

Making Screamers is lots of fun, but I probably should lend a few cautionary notices. Some stages can be quite tough, especially the ones with clothes hangers, so completing a Screamer may take a couple days for there are many steps, some of them very hard. Also, I would recommend very strong masking tape for making Screamers, along with an abundance of patience. I have also found that making Screamers with your friends is much more fun than doing it in solitude. There are many more laughs, more patience, and a much more light-hearted attitude (although the downside to group Screamer-making is some unaccountable urge from all to make lame "pun" jokes, so beware).

BOTTOM LINE: Buy this book! Make a Screamer!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tons of Fun, May 23, 2003

By 

Brian Kirk (Missouri) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Simple Screamer: A Guide to the Art of Papier and Cloth Mache (Paperback)

I am 36 years old and I came across this book when I was in college. I grabbed it up and immediately started in creating my own screamers, using the wonderful photos in the book for inspiration. In no time my apartment was crawling with weird creatures from my imagination. Soon I had too many and had to give them away to friends...they are totally unique gifts. The author of the book provides everything you need: complete supply lists, easy-to-follow step-by-step directions with photos, color images of finished screamers to help jump-start your own creativity, plus there is the added bonus of the writer's tounge-in-cheek writing. Making screamers would be fun for anyone at any age. Buy this book and let out you inner monster!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Are you sure you'll never need this book?, March 23, 2002

By 

"barrelhaven" (Davenport, Fl United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Simple Screamer: A Guide to the Art of Papier and Cloth Mache (Paperback)

When I first saw a copy of this book back in '85, I thought it was a really great idea, but I never had time to actually build one. The thought was tucked away in the depths of my memory, however, awaiting the opportunity to be explored and applied. Fast forward to 2000. I was in a puppet troupe for the city of Orlando, Florida, and was required to build sets and props for an original show set in ancient Egypt. A large statue of Bas-tet, the cat goddess, was needed and that old thought jumped to the front of my brain. A quick online session to Amazon.com and a couple of weeks later, I had a new copy of Dan Reeder's Simple Screamer aquiring drips of glue while I created the statue. Great project. Great book.