Animal Mask Crafts
Whether you need a mask for a Halloween party or simply want a fun way to pass the time, homemade animal masks will delight adults and kids alike. As you plan your animal mask, you must consider what material you want to use, what animal you wish to portray and what purpose you will use the mask for. Animal masks may range from a simple paper mask colored with crayon to an elaborate paper mache animal face complete with added textures such as fur.
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Paper Animal Masks
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While paper animal masks are often the simplest masks to make, the end result will usually satisfy you. Furthermore, if you want a mess- and stress-free mask making experience, paper masks are good since they require the least amount of materials and time. Start with a piece of durable paper such as construction paper or poster board. Find the animal you want to portray in your mask. Look for photos in nature magazines or online for close-up portraits of animals. If you have a pet that you want to recreate in mask form, have your pet pose for you. Once you have a suitable model for your mask, draw the mask's outline onto your paper. Cut along your outline to get your mask's basic shape. Next, draw any areas you plan to cut on the mask such as holes for your eyes, nose or mouth. Cut your holes with scissors or an X-Acto knife.
Add facial details. Use a permanent marker for facial lines or any other major facial features. More artistic mask makers may wish to rely on shading and color contrast to depict facial features rather than bold lines. Fill in your mask's details with pastels, crayons, paint and/or markers. Pay close attention to your animal's facial patterns. For instance, if you are a making a tiger mask, add the requisite tiger stripes once your basic facial features are set. Paper masks work well for any animal that has complex facial patterns. Peacocks, leopards and mandrills all transfer well to paper masks.
Feel free to glue accessories such as feathers or hair to your mask as well. Once your mask is complete, punch holes by each ear and a tie a string to the mask so you can wear it properly.
Paper Mache Animal Masks
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After you master the paper mask, try your hand at paper mache masks. Begin your mask making process in the same way as a paper mask. Find an animal portrait that you want to transfer to mask form. Sketch a diagram of your mask and then begin to work on your frame. Chicken wire frames work best for paper mache since you have full control over your mask's form. If you do not have chicken wire, use a balloon as your base. Create a basic mask shape with the chicken wire, ensuring that it fits your face. Add additional bits of chicken wire to create your animal's nose (or snout), horns or other prominent facial features. Do not spend too much time worrying about frame details since you will add the most detail with your paper layering and painting. Ensure that you don't have any sharp points sticking out of your base before you begin the newspaper/pulp layering process.
Once your frame is set, cover it with strips of newspaper dipped in glue or pressure-cooked pulp (achieved through combining newspaper, chalk, glue and wallpaper paste). Layer your pulp or paper until your mask has a realistic-looking pig snout, rhino horn, toucan beak or any other animal facial feature. When you achieve your desired look, allow your paper/pulp to dry and then cover it with a base paint. Let your base paint dry and then paint your animal mask in appropriate animal colors. Glue on bits of fur, feathers or shell for a more layered look.
Animal Masks Made From Other Materials.
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More ambitious artists and amateur mask makers may wish to make animal masks out of a range of other materials including clay, wood or metal. While each material presents its own sets of challenges, the initial steps are often the same. Always begin with a sketch and a gameplan for how you will construct your animal's specific facial features with your given material. Your next steps will depend on your base material. For instance, to create a clay mask, start with a face mold. Layer your clay onto the mold and re-create your animal's bone structure. Pay close attention to how your animal's cheeks raise or lower, the size of your animal's nose or lips and any facial indentations your animal may possess. Make sure to include holes by the ear/temple areas so you can attach string or elastic to the mask. Once your clay dries (either in the air or a kiln), remove the mold and use ceramic paint to render your animal appropriately.
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