https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/masks • Posted by Sian J.
I'm a make up student and was asked to make some masks for an amateur operatics production of Hunchback of Notre Dame. These masks were not intended to be pretty, they were to illustrate how grotesque human nature can be. This is my first how to on here so I hope it turns out well.
I'm a make up student and was asked to make some masks for an amateur operatics production of Hunchback of Notre Dame. These masks were not intended to be pretty, they were to illustrate how grotesque human nature can be. This is my first how to on here so I hope it turns out well.
Basic mask as the template to build on or you could use cardboard - the masks I bought were 6 for £1 in Tesco
Add some cardboard to your basic mask shape whereever you want - if using carboard you can skip this step and just cut the cardboard into your desired shape.
For this one I used the handle of a milk bottle to create a long protruding nose, this is taped on using sticky tape.
This one had carboard ears attached and the top of the milk bottle (cut in an oval shape) to create a pig nose - I cut holes in the screw off lid for nostrils.
Mix water and pva together, soak cotton wool, squeeze out and then apply to your mask, puting it on quite firmly - I kept my surface quite rough and textured but you can get yours as smooth as possible - add any other details to the mask at this stage as well. I found it useful to do this round a curved object and was lucky enough to have an old hairdressing head but a football or a curved container is just as good - this helps the mask take on a slightly curved shape when dry and this fits better on the face. Drying time depends on a few things, a) how wet your cotton wool is, b) where you are drying it but you should allow a couple of hours.
When cotton wool layer is dry, add a layer or two of tissue paper and smooth it down - for this stage I used undiluted PVA - leave to dry. I also attach the elastic to the mask at this stage by layering several pieces of tissue over the ends.
When dry paint in your chosen colours - for this one I used black acrylic applied with a brush, when this was dry I then used green acrylic mottled on and finally I dry brushed some gold over the raised areas. To seal the finish I painted a coat of PVA glue over the entire mask. For yours you could add glitter, beads, feathers, ribbons - basically any trim you like. I hope you enjoyed this how-to and I would love to see your versions and receive comments.