Very cool!
http://masksoftheworld.com/

A lot of art making is tedious. I am adding layers and layers of paper to the big mask and layers of paint and ribbon to the rainbow mask. It is slow going. A good reason to have several projects going at once. Good thing I have a large work table!

I built up the mouth nose and eyebrows with cardboard, plastic, and masking tape. When I began layering glue and paper over the masking tape, I found that the tissue paper worked better than the phone book paper.

I am trying to be more patient with the large mask so I can build up the structure and have a smooth surface to paint on.

layers on top of airbags

Mouth detail with added masking tape

full mask with lip nose and eyebrow detail added

 

rainbow mask Jan. 10

Some masks I found on the internet.

Korean

 

Baule ( Ivory Coast, Africa

Vaquero (cowboy) Oaxaca, Mexico

 padding with airbag packing material

phone book pages layered over airbags

I have made these for friends and family the last two Christmases. People have suggested I sell them, butthey are labor intensive and would be very expensive!

The bodies are made of hand sewn scrap fabric painted with glue and latex or acrylic paint. The antlers are twigs or shapes cut with a cookie cutter using

Creative Paper Clay http://paperclay.com/.

The legs are antique cut nails from my husband's stash of old building materials.

The first sets last year were mostly brown with bone colored antlers. One night my daughter added gold paint to the antlers and legs and added spots. I really liked the look. This year the few sets I've made are white and gold. This batch will get gold ribbons around their necks.

January 5, 2016

Reminder why I am creating this blog.

Sometime in mid April, I will begin teaching mask making and paper mache workshops at the Clifton Forge School of the arts in Clifton Forge Virginia. http://www.cfsota.org/

I sent a proposal for the first set of workshops to cfsota yesterday. 

Since the beginning of December  I have been making masks and documenting my progress or mishaps or grumbling....

Here is my current progress on the rainbow mask.

I am going to set it aside for the day and work on a larger one I started in early December.

In the larger picture you can see that I am incorporating small pieces of ribbon and fabric, beads and sequins.

The "hair' will be dyed wood shred packaging and bits of twine.

It is the right size for tying onto one's head but I think it will do best as a wall hanging.

Comments on building and adding ornamentation. 
While hot glue guns are great for building the base of the mask and attaching rough parts, I do not find the glue suitable for adding finer details. Something like undiluted Elmer's Glue-all or Alene's Tacky Glue give me much more control.

I am not satisfied with the current craft paint I am using. I have some Apple Barrel, Walmart, and DecoArt and they are not thick enough. I have ordered some gouache paints from Jerry's Artarama and I hope they will be thicker and provide better coverage.
The brand is Turner Acryl Gouache.

Jerry's Artarama has the best prices on the internet.
http://www.jerrysartarama.com/

 

Vintedge Artworks

http://vintedgeartworks.blogspot.com/

JANUARY 3, 2016 EVENING




Thought I'd better catch up since I have been making Christmas presents for 3 weeks!

Some cool links I found:

http://www.wired.com/2013/08/the-gorgeous-costumes-of-europes-wild-men/ 

http://www.ultimatepapermache.com/ 

Just bought myself one of these!
 
http://www.dremel.com/en-us/Tools/Pages/ToolDetail.aspx?pid=4000-6%2f50#.Vomb0B555oc

The Dremel 4000 variable speed rotary tool offers the highest performance and most versatility of all Dremel rotary tools. The increased strength of its motor plus electronic feedback circuitry enables consistent performance at all speed levels. Dremel 4000 can use all existing Dremel rotary tool accessories and attachments plus high-performance attachments to complete the widest range of projects. A slim, ergonomic body provides a 360-degree grip zone for comfort and control in any grip position.

• Dremel 4000 High Performance Rotary Tool
• Flex Shaft attachment
• Circle Cutter/Straight Edge Guide
• Sanding/Grinding Guide
• Multipurpose Cutting Guide attachment
• Detail Nose Piece
• Lawn Mower and Garden Tool Sharpening Attachment
• Storage Case
• Includes 50 genuine Dremel accessories
• Quick Start Book

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

BACK TO MASKS SOON!