MAKING MASKS: Help needed on mask making

1. • Helge 4 years, 5 months ago

     quote   permalink

   • Dear Mask Makers,
     My name is Meredith Ewer-Speck and I am a theater student at the Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong. I am currently working on a research project. My task is to supply a prop designer the information she needs in the construction of a Noh mask, an ancient Japanese theater tradition.
     I have found images of the mask I wish to create for this
     project. Now, I need practical information on how to make it. If you
     or any of your associates are interested in helping supply me information, I would be most grateful. I have attached a visual image of the mask. I will also try to supply you with some hopefully helpful information about the mask.

     1) Noh masks were originally carved from cedar wood. Cedar is
     supple and light, good characteristics for making masks with. In the interest
     of time and money, I doubt if carving the mask from wood would be the best
     option for my client. Seeings as none of the production members are
     wood carvers, the mask needs to be constructed out of a material that the
     average person can work with, like paper mache or cardboard, etc.
     Suggestions on a suitable material?

     2) However, the mask must be AS ACCURATE as possible. If the mask is
     not actually made out of wood, it should somehow give the impression of
     being wood. Is there a varnish or veneer that can be painted or somehow
     otherwise applied to the mask material to make it resemble wood?

     3) Obviously, the mask itself is fairly complicated, at least to my
     untrained eye. How should a non-artist go about constructing the
     inlaid mouth and eyes and the jutting horns? Are there patterns (such as
     those used for making clothes) that one can use to create such a mouth?

     4) Kyogen requires a good deal of horseplay - jumping up and down and
     other semi-acrobatics. Therefore, the mask must be securely fitted and
     attached to the actor. Is there a method you reccomend for heavy duty
     mask attachement?

     5) Although you may not be able to view the colors of the image I?ve
     attached, the mask is painted a shiny metallic gold with shiny red lips
     and black shiny eyelashes. Are there specific paints used in mask
     making? Paints that don?t peal or chip? Paints that work well under stage
     lights?

     In advance, my deepest thanks for your assistance in this project.
     Even if you are only able to provide a bit of information, anything would be
     most helpful. Please email responses to :
     meredithewerspeck@yahoo.com or montanagirl03@hotmail.com

     Again, my thanks.
     Sincerely,
     Meredith Ewer-Speck
     meredithewerspeck@yahoo.com

     p.s. I'm having difficulty attaching the picture of the mask I'm trying to construct. Editors, perhaps you could assist me? This message could be posted without the image but it would be most helpful if I could post the picture. At the moment, the web page is not allowing me to paste in the picture from my personal computer. Could i possibly just email the photo to you and you could post it along with the article above? Thanks for your time and consideration!

2. • juanita 4 years, 4 months ago

     quote   permalink

   • WOW. You are asking for a lot of advice and information in one question!! How to make a material look as though it is made of wood, how to paint a surface, how to make a maks wearable & comfortable, how to sculpt the face, mouth, features.......each one of those questions requires a lot of indepth information and experience. and you say that you want to know how a "non-artist" can do all of this?? I would say that you first need to get some experience and an introduction with the creative process so you can formulate some idea about it........if you are asking a "prop maker" to create your mask.......and if they have some experience, you should probably rely on their expertise instead of trying to do all of it yourself in such a short period of time. I don't mean to be discouraging......not at all!! I applaud your interest and study of masks and encourage you to continue delving into and studying the topic........with web sites such as this one at maskmakersweb.......you have lots of maskmakers and artists that you can 'tap' for information as you develop your project. GOOD LUCK.

Add your comments