How to Make a Gladiator Mask
The helmet is an essential part of many period costumes, whether for a school project, costume party or theater production. It is possible to make a helmet out of cardboard and then spray paint it, but these tend to be flimsy and are difficult to make look authentic. A better way is to make the helmet a few days in advance with some papier-mâché and then paint to give the helmet a rustic look.
Things You'll Need
- Cardboard
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Balloon
- Masking tape
- Water
- Flour
- Salt
- Newspaper
- Bowl
- Paint
- Paint brushes
Instructions
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1
Trace outlines for the face and neck plates of the helmet. The face plate needs to cover forehead, ears and cheeks, while the neck plate is a rounded off skirt which hangs at the back of the helmet.
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2
Cut out the templates using sharp scissors. For the best effect, trace out the face and neck plates on thin cardboard such as a cereal box. The color does not matter, as you will cover it in papier-mâché and then paint it.
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3
Place the templates on the wearer's face to see if they are the right size and adjust as necessary.
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4
Inflate a balloon so it is about the size of the wearer's head and tape the face and neck guards on using masking tape.
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5
Make some papier-mâché using 2 cups each of flour and water and a tablespoon of salt. Tear the newspaper into 2 inch wide strips.
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6
Dip the newspaper into the mixture, let the excess drip off and then apply in strips to the balloon and cardboard templates so the newspaper overlaps all the way across the helmet. Leave to dry overnight.
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7
Repeat the last step three more times so the balloon has a hard shell of newspaper over it.
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8
Pop the balloon and remove from the helmet shell. Leave the templates in place.
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9
Clump up the damp newspaper and shape on top of the dome to make a crest on top of the helmet using fresh papier-mâché.
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10
Paint the helmet silver or gold and leave to dry for a few hours.
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References
- Photo Credit Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
