How to Make Character Face Masks

This article will tell you how to make a character mask out of paper mache with a balloon for a mold. This can get messy, and it will take two days since you'll need to give the mask plenty of time to dry. Although this article explains how to make a very basic mask--once you are comfortable with the technique--you can take it a step further by giving your mask shape. This can be as simple as adding cardboard to your balloon to create a nose. The basic technique, however, is simple enough to be done by almost all ages.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Flour
• Water
• Newspaper
• Balloon
• Paint
• Exact-O knife
• Decorations
• Elastic band

1. Make the paper mache paste. To do this, you'll need to combine 1 part flour with 2 parts water. In other words, for every cup of flour put in, you'll need 2 cups of water. Stir the mixture until it creates a thick paste. The amount of paper mache you'll need will depend on the size of the mask you are creating. If you start the mask--and realize you need more paste--you can easily make more.

2. 

   Blow up a latex balloon to the size you'll want your mask to be. Knot the balloon. Put it on some old newspapers on a flat surface. Paper mache can be very messy so be sure to cover your entire work area with newspaper.

3. Cut up strips of newspaper. Carefully submerge them, one at a time, into the paper mache paste. As you pull the strip of paper out of the paper mache, use your hand to wipe off the excess paste. Place the strip of paper onto the balloon. Smooth it out until it lays flat. The wetness from the paste will make the paper stick to the balloon.

4. Keep applying paper strips to the balloon until 1/2 of the balloon is covered in paper. You want the mask to be fairly thick. However, keep in mind that it will take longer for thicker paper mache to dry. Try to put a layer of paper onto the balloon. Let it semi-dry for a couple hours, and then add another layer. Let the mask then dry over night.

5. Deflate the balloon by putting a piece of scotch tape on an exposed part of the balloon. Puncture the balloon with a needle through the tape. This will prevent the balloon from popping all at once. The air will slowly leak from the balloon. Once the balloon is fully deflated, pull the pieces of the balloon off the inside of the mask.

6. Using an exact-o knife, cut eye holes into the mask and an opening for your mouth if you want one. Then poke holes in the sides of the mask near where your ears will be.

7. 

   Paint the mask and decorate it to suit the character you are trying to create. Once the paint and glue is dry, tie an elastic band through the holes by the ears. Do this in order to secure the mask to your head.

Tips & Warnings

• Using paper mache can be very messy. Be sure to wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty.
• If you make the paper mache on the balloon too thin, the mask can break when you deflate the balloon.

Resources

• character mask ideas