MAKING MASKS: Making My First Mask!

1. • eyeseaewe 3 months, 1 week ago

     quote   permalink

   • 
     Hi everyone!

     My name is Tiffany and i decided to join mask makers web after just starting my first venetian styled mask.

     I decided a short while ago I wanted a mask for a burlesque night I am going to in October.

     I had a look online but couldn't find exactly what I was after ... so I decided to try making my own!

     I couldn't find any in depth features on how to go about making a mask- but i managed to identify some key stages - sculpting a clay model, taking a plaster cast and using this to make a lightweight papier mache mask ...

     So here comes my 'problem' ... I have pretty much finished making my clay sculpt- I'm exceedingly pleased with it ... it just needs some final tweaking to get it up to scratch (symmetry accross three dimensions grr!) ... but as I am so pleased with is thurs far, i really don't want to botch up the next stage!

     How best to go about getting a cast of it? i originally assume d plaster of paris, but it's messy and gets bubbles in it and i've had bad experiences with it previously .... would plaster strips be a better idea?

     any help would be much appreciated,

     many thanks

     Tiffany
     eyeseaewe
     x

2. • AlanC 3 months, 1 week ago

     quote   permalink

   • Hi Tiffany,

     I use the same method and use plaster of paris, however, I don't get one from art shops, I go to a potter's retailer where I get a sack for about £10.

     The method I was taught, is like this - (Ideally done with 2 people, but can be done on your own) - use some more clay to create a shallow bowl around your clay sculpt. Take a large bowl and 1/3 fill with water, add your plaster of paris until it starts to show through the top of the water, stir with a spoon and keep stirring until it starts to thicken - at this point start spooning some of the soupy mixture over the sculpt, this will form a thin layer which shouldn't have any bubbles in it. When the plaster starts to really thicken, quickly pour over your sculpt, using your hands to 'mound' it over the sculpt, (it will be setting pretty quickly now), ensure that you flatten the very top (this keeps the mould stable when the other way up and allows easier application of the papier mache. Allow to dry thoroughly before taking the clay out, then allow another day at least to allow the centre to dry.

     Once dry, use a thin layer of vaseline or similar on the inside of the mould to allow easier removal of the mask.

     Hope this helps.

     Alan

Add your comments