How to Sculpt Face Clay Masks

Sculpting a clay mask is fun for all ages.

Sculpting with clay is a project that both adults and children can do. You can make masks for decoration or to wear with a costume. Sculpting your own mask allows you to personalize it to exactly what you want. Sculpting with children is a creative way to spend time together.

Things You'll Need

• Clay
• Rolling pin
• Clay sculpting tools
• Shallow bowl or balled-up newspaper
• Glaze

Instructions

1. Roll out the clay to about ¼ to 2 inches with the rolling pin. If you have access to a slab roller you can use it in place of the rolling pin. You may need to knead the clay to make it pliable and easy to roll out.

2. Cut the shape of the mask that you are sculpting. Cut out the eye, mouth and nose holes. If you are making a sculpted mask just for decoration the eye, mouth and nose holes may be unnecessary.

3. Lay the cut-out mask on a shallow bowl or rounded balled up newspaper. This will shape the mask in a concave fashion. If your mask is to be a flat mask this step is not necessary.

4. Sculpt the mask using any of several techniques.

   The add on technique is where you add pieces of clay to sculpt the mask. For example you can roll out thin cylinder pieces that are tapered on the ends and add them as the lips. When adding clay you will need to score the clay on the piece to be added as well as the base in a cross hatch design and wet it slightly before adhering it to the mask. This ensures the piece will stay attached during firing.

   The take off technique involves removing clay using clay sculpting tools to shape the mask. If you are using the take off technique exclusively it is advised that you roll your clay about 1 to 2 inches thick to start from.

   The pinch technique is using your fingers to pinch and form the clay into the shapes and thicknesses that you want.

5. Glaze and fire your sculpted mask. After allowing your mask to dry for a few days to the bisque stage you can glaze the mask with colored or clear glaze and fire it in a kiln.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not have access to a kiln you can contact an art studio, school or store and for a fee they may fire your mask for you.

References

• Figurines-Sculpture: Basic Sculpture Technique

Resources

• JHpottery: Pottery Tutorial: A beginners guide to the art of ceramics