How to Create Egyptian Masks

Make an Egyptian mask.

With the creative use of plaster bandages, you can make one-of-a-kind masks depicting Pharaohs, Egyptian mummies or just about anything you want. This project is best executed in groups, with pairs of two helping each other out.

Things You'll Need

• Petroleum jelly
• Plaster bandages
• Scissors
• Paint
• Plastic wrap

Instructions

Making the Mask

1. Pair up. One person will sit with his head leaning back and hair out of the face. His partner will be creating the mask for the model.

2. Fill a can 2/3 full of water. Gather a stack of plaster bandages and cut them in strips that are about 1 inch by 4 inches.

3. Cover the model's face with petroleum jelly. This will prevent the bandages from sticking. Be sure to cover the face thoroughly, including the lips and eyebrows.

4. Begin building the mask. Dip a strip of bandage in the water, rub it a little bit and place it on the face. Continue doing this so that each bandage overlaps the last a little bit. Continue placement until the face is covered. Repeat this process two more times.

5. Let the mask dry for three minutes after the last strip has been placed.

6. Gently ease the mask off the face. While the maker pries the mask with spread fingers under the sides, the model should wrinkle his nose and forehead.

7. Clean up. Wipe the face with dry paper towels to get the petroleum jelly residue off. Wash with warm water and soap.

8. Label your mask on the inside so that you know it's yours. Repeat this process so that the other person has a mask.

Decorating the Mask

1. Trim the edges of the mask so that they are clean and nice looking.

2. Wipe the petroleum jelly off of the inside of your mask with a dry paper towel.

3. Begin building your mask in the shape of an Egyptian figure. Use the bandages and water to create depth and dimension on your mask.

4. Paint your mask in the colors of the Egyptian figure. Egyptians were known to use a lot of gold.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure that you keep each bandage smooth on the face. They should curve in the direction that the face curves. Use scissors to trim any bandage to size before dipping it in water, if necessary.

• The model can choose to have his eyes and mouth covered or not. If the eyes are going to be covered, place a small piece of plastic wrap over the eyes.

• Look at pictures of different kinds of Egyptian figures. Choose one that you would like to make a model of. Use this picture as a reference while you are decorating your mask.

• Always leave the nostrils uncovered so that the model is able to breathe.

• Cover any hair on the face liberally with petroleum jelly, as it will be painful to remove the mask.

References

• Artlex: Mask Making