MAKING MASKS: what weight leather to use

1. • Firefairies 2 years, 1 month ago

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   • I have played with making leather masks recently and am happy with the success i have had so far however the thickness of leather i have been able to get my hands on so far iss about 3mm thick which although great for what i have done so far on a basic level has not allowed for that much detail. my question is if i use a thinner leather say 1mm or 1.5mm is it going to harden the same way after i wet mould it?

     i can buy the 3mm in small peices to let me play however the thinner peice i can only buy as a whole hide so am reluctant to do so before i know what i can do with it.

2. • cabrera 2 years, 1 month ago

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   • Hi:
     The best leather is vegetable tanned and about 1.5 to 2 mm. thick. It catches details better and holds shape well. You might have to stiffen the edge by gluing a wire all around the perimeter of the mask. That and sealing the interior of the mask with water based lacqer will hold the form best and improve the life of your mask.
     Good luck
     Augusto.

3. • Firefairies 2 years, 1 month ago

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   • thank you for the information i dont worry now about ordering a whole hide to play with knowing that it is the right sort of leather to get.

4. • wyldcard 1 year, 4 months ago

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   • Another thing you can do that works well for me is to go ahead and use the 1.5 to 2mm vegetable tanned leather and then back it with either a second layer of the same thickness leather. The drawback is of course the cost and remember it does at least double the weight. I suppose you could back it with the 3 mm leather you have been using but the weight would probably make it a bit uncomfortable. Good luck!

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