How to Make a Frankenstein's Monster Mask

Frankenstein’s monster is a classic symbol of Halloween. Though Mary Shelley wrote "Frankenstein" in 1818, it was not until the 1931 James Whale-directed film of the book that audiences got the image of Frankenstein’s monster that still endures. In the film, the monster was played by horror legend Boris Karloff. Read on to find out how to re-create Karloff's look with your own Frankenstein’s monster mask, made with cardboard and some paint.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Measuring tape
• Cardboard
• Tempura or acrylic paint (white, green, black and gray)
• Exact-o knife
• Hot glue and hot glue gun
• Black yarn
• Hole punch
• String

1. 

   Use a pen to draw an outline of the monster's head and neck on a piece of cardboard. On the neck part of your outline, include 1 1/2-inch-long bolts on either side.

2. Use an Exact-o knife to cut out the shape you've outlined.

3. Paint your entire mask green, including the neck.

4. Hot-glue pieces of black yarn to the top of your mask for the hair.

5. Paint the bolts gray on both sides of the neck of your mask.

6. With white paint, draw two circles for the eyes. Within the white circles, draw two pupils.

7. Use an Exact-o knife to cut out the pupils so you can see.

8. Draw a frown on your mask with black paint. Use the photograph here for guidance to get the right look.

9. Use black paint to add age lines to your mask--you want that "undead" look. To achieve this effect, add bags underneath the eyes, frown lines around the mouth and wrinkles on the forehead.

10. For an added touch, paint a scar on the forehead, cheek or chin.

11. Punch one hole on each side of your Frankenstein face to run a string through.

12. Tie a string through each hole and tie the strings together at the back of your head to keep the mask in place.