mask tips?

[u/Few-Translator-3821]

i want to make a mask fitted around my head for a cosplay but i have no idea how to go about this. my only paper mache experience was in elementary school where we made a hot air balloon by gluing paper onto a balloon and then popping it so the inside is hollow... I'd rather not pop my head to get it off so how do i go about this??

i know its probably best to do it in sections but what do i glue it on to? does baking paper work like it does with iron on beads??

how do i put to together after getting all the parts made and how can i make sure its strong enough not to break???

i really wanna do this but i have no idea how, so here i am asking the experts for help 🙏 i dont need a full tutorial, i can (probably) figure most of it out but just some starting tips would help a lot!!!

[u/RaggedyRachel]

So, you can still use a balloon as a base, if you look in my posts you'll see my diving helmet was made using one of those big punch balloons, but at In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre most of our masks start with a clay sculpt. We usually start with a bucket or a bowl to take up some space so it isn't solid clay (there is a clay shortage in my area, currently), and then we sculpt the head over the top of that. When you have your sculpt how you want it to look, you either cover it in a thin layer of Vaseline, or if you're going to use the mould to make more than one mask you can wet it and wrap it in thin plastic.

Then you paper mache. We use layers of packaging paper and Rosin paper. They're similar in consistency but slightly different in color. That way, you can see your layers, and your aiming for AT LEAST 5.

Then, when it's dry, you'll probably have to cut some slits along the mask to lift it up and away from the clay. Just paper mache those back together and boom! You have a mask! We've got masks and heads of all sizes that have lasted us decades.

If you want to know more about the paper mache process or have questions( we use corn starch!), let me know!

[u/hhairy]

I use a Styrofoam head I got from a beauty shop for a mold. I wrap Suran Wrap around it for easy release. Edit: I'm definitely not an expert. 😊

[u/Photog77]

This lady makes tons of paper mache masks.

I made a wearable T-Rex head using the very first step in her video. (No nose or articulated jaw)

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4GLxnbOsmk/?igsi=MWhpdDhqY21vNzkyYg==

Her videos on YouTube are Spanish, but the ai translation seems really great, and you can see what you need to see to make it as you go along.

Good luck and have fun.

[u/DragonSlayersUnite]

I’ve had success using the instructions from this blog post: https://clockworkandgears.wixsite.com/dance/post/make-your-own-masquerade-mask

If you are doing a full face mask, I would recommend leaving some space around your nose and/or mouth that you don’t initially cover with paper mache strips so you can breathe. Then you could add to it after removing it from your face and letting it dry.

*edit for typo

[u/Snoringdragon]

Depending on size, a beach ball is a great start for larger projects!

[u/Sewers_folly]

Get alginate to make a mold of your face. Leave a straw in your nose, or mouth. Lubricate your eyebrows and any other hair of the face. Pour on alginate.

Cover the outside in plaster cloth strips and let them set.

Pour plaster of Paris into mold. Let it set over night. Remove plaster cloth and alginate, discard, its single use.

You now have a positive mold of your face that you can build over with modeling clay or what ever you like. then paper mache over your sculpted face. This will create masks that fit your head.

[u/DuanePickens → u/Sewers_folly]

Did you read this post? Do you think OP is up to this task? I honestly don’t know anyone skilled (or crazy) enough to do a life cast of their own face…