Hi friends! With Halloween right around the corner I thought it would be fun to teach you how to make masks either to wear or for decoration. This was one of my favorite lessons to teach kids at art summer camps when I was younger. I hope you try this idea and maybe teach it to a child in your life!
I also realized that this was my 2000th YouTube video! Can you believe it? And I am still having fun making videos so let’s try for another 2000, what do you think?
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Supplies (Homemade recipes and instructions below)
- Plaster impregnated gauze
- Plastic reusable mask forms or you can use a styrofoam head from the craft sore but it is a bit harder because it doesn’t lay flat. (or see the instructions below for making a mask on someones face)
- Bowl of water
- Gold relief outliner (I used this for details at the end)
- Feathers
- Glitter (optional)
- Gesso (optional) *you can use any flat white paint, even leftover house paint to prime the masks.
- Acrylic paint
- Acrylic paint pens (easier for decorating)
- Stencils (optional)
- Scissors
*Using the plaster impregnated gauze strips is the least messy option but the most expensive. See below for cheaper alternatives.
OR you can use
- 1″ Strips of newspaper (cut before you mix up the plaster because once you mix the plaster you only have 15 minutes to work.
- Plaster of Paris (this will be cheaper to buy at a home improvement or craft store, it is more expensive online because it is heavy and has to be shipped)
- Mixing cups (washed yogurt or margarine tubs are perfect)
- Water
- Vaseline and straws (if making masks on people’s faces)
Directions for making masks on people’s faces: This is a great school art project because kids can team up and you don’t need to buy mask forms. You can also use the newspaper strip and plaster method which will be much cheaper in a classroom setting.
1. Have the person you are making a mask on tie back any loose hair or use a headband for short hair. Apply vaseline to eyebrows and hairline. The subject might want to wear a smock to protect their clothes from plaster drips. It is best to do this project outside in good weather. It also helps to have the subject lay on the ground. This project is NOT good for anyone who is claustrophobic.
2. Cut strips of newspaper 1″ wide and place at your work area.
3. Place 1/2 cup of plaster in a mixing cup and add water a table-spoon at a time until you have the consistency of heavy cream.
4. Dip a strip of paper in the plaster and wipe off excess. Place the strip over the subjects forehead and fold back the excess paper onto the face. Try not to get the paper in the subjects hair. Repeat until the face is covered. Make sure the subject has a straw to breath from of keep the mouth or nose unplastered. You can keep holes for the eyes but have the subject keep their eyes closed so they don’t get plaster in them.
5. Do about 5 layers and let the mask firm up (about 15 minutes) then have the subject scrunch their face to release the mask and let it dry overnight before decorating.
Note for teachers! Before attempting this with your class test out the process with a friend. The climate where you live can affect set up time (speeding it up it hot dry climates and slowing it in damp climates) For clean up let the plaster harden in the cups and flex the cups and the plaster will fall out so you can reuse the cups. Clean up desks with a wet rag.
Option 2. (using mask forms)
Mix wallpaper paste with water per package directions until you have a gel and dip newspaper strips to create mask. This will take at least a day to dry so only use mask forms for this.
*Do not use is you (or your students) have wheat allergies.
I hope this gives you some fun ideas for Halloween costumes, parties or home decor! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!
The Frugal Crafter Blog 