Create an Armature

• 1). Build an armature, or skeleton, with the wire. Start with the body and bend a 12-inch section of the wire into an oval shape. Wrap another 12-inch section of wire around the oval to give the body three-dimensional depth.
  
  
• 2). Cut four 10- to 12-inch pieces of wire. Wrap the top of each wire at a different point along the front and back of both sides of the oval as legs. Fold the wire back up towards the body and twist to secure.
  
  
• 3). Cut an 8-inch section of the wire for the tail. Wrap the end of the 8-inch length of wire around the back of the body and twist to secure. Cut two more 8-inch sections. Wind the ends of these two pieces of wire around each side of the body as wings.
  
  
• 4). Bend a 12-inch section of wire in half. This will become the neck and head. Thread the wire through the body so that half of the wire is on each side of the body. Press the two sides close together and create an oval at the top (for the head.) Twist to secure. Cut a 6-inch piece of wire. Wrap it around the head oval to add depth and a three-dimensional effect.
  
  
• 5). Cut 6-by-6 inch sections of newspaper. Wrap these around the wire and secure with masking tape to provide more form and bulk to your dragon's body. Make sure that the newspaper covering the dragon's wingspan hangs down to create a flowing effect.
  
  

The Paper Mache Process

• 1). Mix your paper mache paste in a plastic bowl according to the manufacturer's directions.
  
  
• 2). Cut strips of construction paper in 2-by-6 inch sections.
  
  
• 3). Dip the cut paper into the paper mache paste, coating both sides. Apply the paste-soaked paper over the newspaper strip by strip. Use your hands to mold and shape the dragon.
  
  
• 4). Drape extra pieces of pasted paper over the wing armature. The wings should hang down a bit in a flowing manner.
  
  

Paint Your Dragon

• 1). Paint the entire span of the dragon including the face, body, tale, arms, legs and wings with a non-toxic craft paint.
  
  
• 2). Add details such as teeth, nostrils and eyes with dark paint and a fine or thin brush.
  
  
• 3). Paint the wings a second color to differentiate them from the main part of the dragon's body.