MAKING MASKS: Short - 2 hour, one day workshops

1. • Susan 6 years, 2 months ago

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   • These days I am participating in a cultural fair for children. Here I am constantly being asked: Can you do 2 hour maskmaking workshops for children in our museum or library or whereever. I do say : No I can't do that. But I can read on the internet that some of you maskmakers actually do that. I am very interested in learning how - because it most definetely would pay some rent for me here in the Copenhagen area.
     Is there anybody outthere willing to reveal their secrets? Of course I can create the mask in two hours - but how about getting it off the mould? The drying? The painting? The fitting? My imagination isn't vivid enough for this....Is it felt masks dried in an owen I should do?
     Hope to hear from some of you.
     Sincerely Susan

     [Edited on 7/9/2002 by sunhawk]

2. • rozani 6 years, 2 months ago

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   •    Hi Susan.

     You never know until you try. Do not underestimate yourself. I have taught several workshops and charged for the classes. It had to be broken down into a few hours per day, until their project was completed. However, some advanced students actually were able to take their unfinished work home to complete it. Here are some things which might help.

     1. Decide on a theme and a medium.
     2. What age group?
     3. Decide on a fee.
     4. Provide a list of supplies for them to bring.
     5. Keep it simple.

     Once you have narrowed it down, present this information to the librarian or museum curator for them to distribute. There should be a sign-up sheet for pre-registration. Once you know how many have registered, you can plan your class. Your time is valuable and it is up to you to decide whether you will charge or do it for free. How could you possibly provide all of the supplies for 25 or 50 people without compensation? Can they fund the supplies?

     Figure out your costs and time. Everything can be included within a kit. Pre-paid registration will help you know exactly how many supplies you will need. The kits are distributed when they arrive for the class. Have examples ready. Use patterns or forms where necessary. Make sure they have containers for transporting their piece, especially if it will be wet.

     Finally, how long will it actually take from start to finish? It will take less time, if they come prepared. If you are certain that they will not be able to complete the project, give them a take home assignment. They can contact you when finished and you can give them a certificate of completion.

     It is always exciting to see what happens. Expect the unexpected and you will be pleasantly surprised. Be yourself and they will loosen up. If they see that you are having fun, they will have fun too.

     Hope this helps.

     Rozani

3. • Susan 6 years, 2 months ago

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   • Thank you for your give away and time, Rozani.... I actually never thought of the possibilty - that kids could bring home the wet mask in a box. Yes. Thanks. But what tecniques would you use, and materials?
     Susan

4. • cabrera 6 years, 2 months ago

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   • Hi Susan:
     I would use plaster cloth. I dont know if it is the right name in English. in Swedish is gipsbindor. You put it direct on the childs face leaving the eyes, nose and maybe the mouth open. It is fast and they will have time to decorate and paint the mask in two hours but not wear it because it will be wet.
     Don?t forget to put a lot of vaseline on the childrens face before the plaster cloth and have soap and water near so they can wash.
     You would need some asistance to do this in two hours. Make the parents or the teachers help putting the plaster cloth on their children, after some explanation of course.
     Augusto.

     [Edited on 7/9/2002 by cabrera]

     [Edited on 7/9/2002 by cabrera]

5. • 6 years, 2 months ago

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   • :thumbup: thank you so much, Augusto.
     How about paper Mache in an owen? Cloth Mache?
     How many hours are the absolute minmum when you say yes to do a workshop?

     Susan

6. • rozani 6 years, 2 months ago

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   • Hi Again!

     Neat idea, Augusto! That would be quite interesting. Susan, you already have a unique style of maskmaking. After all, it is your imagination behind the mask, right? Though I don't know what medium you used (language barrier), I imagine you can impart that same knowledge to your students. If there is little time, then present the masks already dried for them to decorate. Or, you could combine Augusto's plaster technique with your finishing touches. Here's another way to approach this................

     Begin with a demonstration which shows your technique in making the form. That would answer their questions of Ooooh, ahhhh, how did you do that? They don't always understand but they ask a lot of questions which you may not have time for. So, you can then distribute several pre-made mask forms to each student. Next, let them use their form and begin the painting and decorating process while you guide them through it. After all, it is the finishing touches which enhance the features of your masks.

     They can even work in groups on one mask from start to finish. You can get each group started on one particular mask. They all pitch in and make it together. This cuts the time and supplies in half. Actually, for time's sake, they can paint and decorate it together. Then, they can leave it with the librarian to display their work with everyone's name on a card which corresponds to each mask.

     I have found that children with short attention spans need easy projects. The age group from 8 to 12 years old will probably want to do something really cool. They sometimes have their own ideas such as...I want to make a dragon mask. Or, I want to make one just like that. Then, they get tired when they realize how much work is involved. So, you have to tell them what they will be making and assure them that you will help them through it.

     Most of all, it is your contribution to the arts, education and humanities that will be remembered. Make it easy and rewarding. Let the passion for your work come through. When you teach something that comes naturally, it all seems to work itself out in the end.

     Regards,

     Rozani

7. • rozani 6 years, 2 months ago

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   • P.S. Susan:

     I forgot to say that, of course, I love papier mache'! It is perfectto teach when used with my "Painting with Paper" technique. That may take up to much space here. I will e-mail you for more ideas, as I don't want to abuse the forum.

     Anyone else interested in this technique? Please let me know.

     Regards,

     Rozani

8. • cabrera 6 years, 2 months ago

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   • Hi again:
     The technical name of the plaster cloth in English is "plaster bandage" and it is possible to buy it in the pharmacy or any medical suply shop. Here in Sweden you can find it even in the artists supplie shop.
     I dont think the papier mach? will dry faster in an oven than the plaster bandage if you gott only two hours and the children would like to take their masks home. The best way of knowing is trying the diferent methods even if you risk to fail once or twice, at the end you?ll have a working system.
     Good luck
     Augusto.

     [Edited on 7/9/2002 by cabrera]

9. • 6 years, 2 months ago

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   • Hi Augusto and Rozani

     Thank you very much both of you. I will now consider and experiment.
     I am grateful that you took time to help me.
     Great!
     Good with a forum !

     Susan

10. • cabrera 6 years, 2 months ago

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    • Hi again:
      Maybe it is a bit late to came with new ideas to Susans request but there is a book by Michael Grater called "Paper Mask Making" with a lot of ideas on making masks cutting paper. They look great and I think it could work in a 2 hours children workshop. Maybe having some forms as models to let the children cut and decorate their own mask. This book is listed in the books page in Mask Makers Web.
      Augusto.

      [Edited on 25/9/2002 by cabrera]

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