Mardi Gras mask templates

[eleny]

I want to make some masks this year. Just an excuse to fiddle around with paints & trims. There are some blank templates on this page that look like a nice size. http://www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/mardigras/mmasks.htm

The second set of links on the bottom left side of the page open without a pesky ad at the top of the page.

[marions ghost]

1. I need to make a form-fitting whole face mask

anybody know how to do it with paper mache or something like that? It doesn't have to be realistic (like if you used plaster). But it does have to be sculptural.

Thanks for any tips anybody may have. :)

[eridani]

2. Try these folks

http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=STK00013&Action=Catalog&Type=Department&ID=51

I think it's possible to buy premixed papier mache.

[marions ghost]

3. thanks !

I think that plain mask on that page will do very well. I want to add some decorative elements but I don't want to put a lot of time into the actual mask. :)

[eleny]

4. One idea - if it's not too late

Recently, I found some buckram at Hancock's fabric store. It's the fabric that they used to make Halloween masks out of when I was a kid in the '50s. Kind of gauzy but still stiff enough to hold its shape forever. It's available in the interfacing section of the store and very inexpensive. I got some because I thought it would be easy to cut and then mold to the face to get a face shape.

I'm thinking that the buckram fabric could be spritzed with water, then put up to a face to get the face shape or just molded by hand. Then embellished with paints, powders or whatever.

Here's some instructions for making a buckram mask
http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/content/2236/

There are other pages with instructions but this one seemed pretty straight forward for beginners using buckram. Now I need to find my yard of buckram in my stash!

[marions ghost]

5. not too late

I have a couple of months to do 4 masks for an event and if it's successful I might get into it more after that. Really do appreciate your suggestions and link.

I've never heard about buckram. It seems like it would be easy to mold around the face. Once it's molded I wonder if painting it with acrylic polymer (or that modpodge stuff) would make the surface even better for painting. There might be different effects depending on degree of gauziness or transparency. One of the most interesting masks I saw once was clear plastic with things painted on it, but you could still see some of the actual features (such as movable eyebrows).

Anyway thank you much for the info. The website suggests that teachers could use this for a project-- for ex to illustrate that they wore masks at the Boston Tea Party. They do these re-enactments of moments in history in schools now. A friend of mine was amazed that his son was requested to make and wear some epaulets to school. LOL--my friend (a single dad and not much on sewing) had to first figure out what in the world was an epaulet.

If I get some good masks I will post some pix here.

[eleny]

6. I think that buckram is strong enough to take some paints

The old masks from the 30s thru the 50s seemed to have been painted with watercolors. But it's stiff enough that I think it could hold up under acrylics. Maybe first go over it with Gesso to seal it so the paints don't bleed through to the back.

If you find it at the fabric store, you'll see that it has some strength to it compared to the thin interfacings used in cuffs and collars. It's definitely several notches up in durability. Many of them have lasted over the decades and are available on ebay.

It would be great to see your results!