Make a Cardboard Dragon!

by Creativeman

92K19921

Intro: Make a Cardboard Dragon!

I used cardboard to make this art piece. Look at the pictures and view the image notes to see how it was constructed.

STEP 1: First, Sketch the Beast!

I made a rough drawing of what I wanted my dragon to look like. From here, a trial piece was made, mainly with construction paper.

STEP 2: Cut Main Pieces Out of Cardboard

The largest piece is cut from cardboard. Several other parts are also formed from cardboard, with paper being used for the remaining elements. Using cardboard allows for more dimensional variations.

STEP 3: Cutting Individual Pieces From Paper

I free-handed all the parts shown, based on other dragons I have seen...I used a composite technique to form all the parts as shown. When cutting pieces from paper, put two pieces together, draw the outline of your part, and cut once to get two pieces. All cardboard is then painted with acrylic paints. I chose to make a green dragon, but think red and gold would be a good choice too.

STEP 4: Glue All Parts Together

Self explanatory, all parts are glued together with a water based PVA. Gorilla glue goes good!

STEP 5: Make a Mount Out of Cardboard

Mark out a large circle on a piece of cardboard. I use the bandsaw as the primary tool for cutting cardboard. Paint in the color of your choice, I found that black sets off the dragon. Hmmmm.....red might have worked as well.

STEP 6: Check My Other Instructables for Minute Details.

1. Make Fun Masks Out Of Cardboard
2. A 3-D Gorilla Made Of Cardboard.
3. Make Cardboard Signs.
These instructables can be found by simply typing Creativeman into the search box (or the ible name). Yes, I know there is a link function, but it doesn't work with my computer for whatever reason.

21 Comments

trrydms 12 years ago

This is really awesome. Great job and things for the tute.
My kids are gonna love this.

taria 12 years ago

I so love this!!! I want one, but I don't have the time to make one...blah...but I still love it!

vickyadrian 14 years ago

Wow... your art-sense is good.

But I have a question, how did you cut the cardboard very detail? I mean, maybe you have some special techniques or tips about how to cut the cardboard more detail and tidy.

eulaliaaaa! 14 years ago

YOU ARE A MASTER WITH CARDBOARD!!!!!!!!!!!!

tatsuki10 14 years ago

could u put step, by, step instructions on what to cut out? like what u did for ur Red Dragon? plz & thank u .

Creativeman 14 years ago

Thank you for your interest: just follow the instructions for the Red Dragon, and change colors! good luck. Cman

wenpherd 14 years ago

that is really good!

alcurb 14 years ago

It's a beautiful piece. The workmanship and photography are admirable. I would like to duplicate your piece. However it seems to me that you made only one and took pictures of it after you completed it. I would like to see a true step-by-step with templates so that I or another person can duplicate it. Are you game? I curious, how did you make the large and small scale patterns?

Creativeman 14 years ago

Please see new instructable: The Red Dragon Instructable... Updates all steps. Cman

rea5245 14 years ago

"Doubtful that too many people will try it"? Well, more people will try it if there's templates. As evidence: I was all ready to forward this to my daughter, who loves dragons. But without templates, I'd be saying "this is something someone else did" rather than "this is something you could make".

Creativeman 14 years ago

Forward! Please see new instructable: The Red Dragon Instructable... Updates all steps. Cman

Kiteman 14 years ago

It's impressive, but couldn't you have made some sort of templates for others to follow? Or same-magnifaction photos of the pieces?

Creativeman 14 years ago

Please see new instructable: The Red Dragon Instructable... Updates all steps. Cman

quadrapod 14 years ago

This is amazing excellent work

scoochmaroo 14 years ago

Can you add links to the other instructables you've posted as recommendations?

Creativeman 14 years ago

The linking function does not work on my computer. Cman

nnygamer 14 years ago

Awesome! Reminds me of one in the 1st ed AD&D books.
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