Mask Making Project


Plaster Neutral Mask

Preparation:

• Protective clothing, Tie for long hair ( Shower Caps are good )
• Vaseline, tissue paper to cover eyes
• Plaster bandage (also known as Modroc and Gypsona) Cut into strips approximately 2cm x 8cm
• Scissors
• Bowl of water
• Partner to be seated comfortably

Process:
Creating the Negative Facial Cast

1. Tie back hair, (you can wrap glad wrap around the hair on head) apply Vaseline to the face. Pay special attention to the hairline, eyebrows, temples, jaw and lashes. This will aid in the removal of the mask.

2. Cut small moon shapes from white tissue to cover the eyes. Stick in place with Vaseline. This will ensure that the eyes are protected from possible effects of the lime plaster.

3. Take a strip of plaster bandage, dip into water and drain well. Apply to hair line first.

4. Insert straws up into the nostrils.

5. Apply all over face except for the nostrils ( the model needs to breath) , Reassure the model so that they remain relaxed. The model must keep the face perfectly still. The strips should overlap slightly and be applied neatly but in different directions to ensure strength. Stroke the mask constantly to bring the plaster to the surface. Work fast cover the whole face evenly.

6. Continue for 2 or 3 layers. Check strength of edges, bridge of nose and under chin. Not to thick over eyes.

7. Leave model for about 10 mins. You can carefully and safely escort your model outside and face them towards the sun for quicker drying time.

8. Model can gently remove mask. Making grotesque facial expressions will help loosen the mask. ( yawn, blow your cheeks out, frown, pull faces). Please ensure that when you are taking the mask off that you don't panic and just yank the mask off, you will break it.

9. Leave to set. There you have a negative mould of you face.

Creating a Positive base of your face.

Material needed:

• Masking tape
• Sand paper
• Plaster of Paris/ base coat
• Vaseline

Process
1. Build up the edges of you Negative cast with masking tape. This is so when you pour in the plaster of Paris, it won't spill out the edges.
2. Coat the inside of the negative cast with Vaseline so that it will be easier to remove the cast when the positive has set.
3. Pour water into a bucket, and mix in plaster until its runny and pour the plaster into the negative cast.
4. Let it set overnight.
5. Remove the negative cast, to revile the identical positive plaster building block , from which you can build you theatre mask on.
6. With sand paper lightly rub back any bumps or pimples on the cast.

This exercise is to be treated seriously and is a great trust building activity to boost morale and friendships.

Once you have your Positive base you can then design the masks and build them using paper machete, putting a layer of Chux wipes in the middle layers of paper machete for extra strength.

Befor you start to paper machete you can build up facial features using clay. Refer to the 'how do you feel today' paper for ideas on expression and characters.

Projects we offer

• Back to Projects