Paper Cup Fish

I’m still enjoying getting creative with paper cups and ‘Paper Cup Fish’ is my latest transformation. I’m attaching the 3 minute making video below, but I’ll also include some extra photos and info underneath.

This idea is based on a very old method of mine for making 3D cardboard fish, it was one of the first projects that was a nailed-on entry for my book ‘Art Shaped’. This paper cup version uses the same basic trick, reincorporating any pieces you cut away back into the design, what I call ‘pure making’. The difference here is that the paper cup has a greater integral strength, and so when you push it, it opens and closes the mouth, and cleverly ‘springs’ back into position.

For this project, I decided to turn mine into a ‘clown fish’, obviously because it’s reminiscent of ‘Nemo’, but also just because it’s a very colourful and recognisable species. However, with a few simple tweaks and adaptations, you could easily create other types of fish. You could change the colours, the patterns, or even the shape of the fins, tail, or eyes, in order to alter the outcome. The example below is more like a Goldfish, with a different shaped tail, and some smaller fins at the bottom.

I’ve covered the completed model with a layer of tissue paper, just using watered-down PVA glue (50/50) This covers up the waterproof coating that makes the cups watertight, and makes them easier to paint, especially if you are using water-based children’s paint. Acrylic paint would cover it even without the tissue layer, but I don’t often use acrylics for children’s projects.

What you end up with is a pretty strong model and one that you could display, hang up, make a mobile out of, or glue onto a background to display. Have fun.