Plaster Masks.pdf

Plaster MasksCraft/Pottery/Design

Objectives:• Students will create a decorative, plaster maskusing plaster bandages.• Students will use an armature (selected byteacher) in making the mask. *our class will usea classmate’s face as the armature.• Students will understand various purposes formasks from different cultures.

Terms:• armature: support system for mask• appendage: An add-on. Supplemental addition• cast: to make a form from a mold• joint compound: (also known as drywall compound) is a whitesubstance similar to plaster used to seal joints between sheets ofdrywall, primarily in building construction. It is often referred to simplyas mud.• slake: adding warm water to plaster to create a chemical reactioncausing it to harden.• Plaster of Paris: crushed limestone• additive process: creating an artwork by adding materials instead ofcarving away to build up the form• embellish: to beautify or adorn with decorations or ornaments• decorative arts: art that is meant to be useful as well as beautiful, asceramics, furniture, jewelry, and textiles.

About Masks•Have been used throughout the world in all periods since the Stone Age.Masks have been used for:•celebrations•funerals•initiations•crop harvesting•war preparation•playsWhether used for work or play, protection or hiding your identity, a mask has

Materials Needed• Plaster bandage (yes, it's the same stuff used for castingbroken bones!) .• Petroleum jelly• Shower cap or clips to hold back hair• Dish or pan of warm water• Newspaper to protect work surface• Towel to protect clothing or old shirts• Facial soap, washcloth, make-up for afterwards• For Decoration:• High gloss clear coat• Hot glue gun and glue sticks• Paints and brushes• Joint compound/sand paper• Miscellaneous: beads, sequins, fake hair, eyelashes, feathers,ribbon, fur, raffia, cloth, dried flowers, leaves, chains, glitter, etc

Part IMaking the base mask on a face.• Cut the plaster bandage into strips approximately 1-2inches wide and long.• Tie back your partner’s hair and generously coat theface with Vaseline. Tear out small single layer bits ofthe Kleenex and place them over the eyelids/lashesand the eyebrows, using the Vaseline to stick them on.

Part II• Dip a piece of bandage at a time in the warm waterand place it on your partner's face, overlapping theedges slightly. Do not go too far under the chin, or themask will be hard to remove after it's dry.• As you work, smooth any rough bandage edges withyour wet fingers.• Avoid the nostrils, and if your partner is claustrophobicyou can also skip the mouth and/or eyes. Continuethe plastering process, overlapping each bandagepiece until the entire face is well covered.

Get Comfortable!

• The mask will slowly warm up over about 20minutes. After it does, it will harden. When it has,encourage your partner to flex his/her face by makingfunny faces or exaggerated chewing motions underthe mask, until it comes loose from the skin easily. Toremove the mask, gently lift the edges to break thesuction, then carefully lift the mask from the face. Ifpossible, especially if there is any hair caught in themask, have the “victim” do this part him/herself.Part III• Strengthen the mask by adding another layer ofplaster bandages, preferably in a cross direction to theprevious layer.

Pretendlike you’rechewinggum veryexaggerated

Part IV• Have your partner go wash up and get readywhile you clean up the supplies used.• *** NEVER pour your water down the drain!!!This will clog the sink. Pour your wateroutside in the grass.• Label the mask with your name.

Part V• Reinforce all edges with strips of plaster.• Decoration: You may add cardboard, newspaper,etc. to build up areas of your mask form. Coverthese attachments (appendages) with plaster stripsfor strength and unity.• Cover entire mask with a layer of joint compound.This can make your mask very smooth, highlytextured, or create areas of relief as it can becarved.• Sand entire mask if needed• Paint with acrylic paints and decorate to your liking.

Appendages orbuilt-up areashave been addedand entire maskhas been coveredin joint compound.

“C” work

No build-up

Not very smooth

Build-up but sloppypaint job

“B” work

Not a lot of build-up,but nicely paintedand adorned.

Mother Nature

High “B” or Low“A” due tocraftsmanship

“A” work

Obama

Solar Power

OwlCultural Tiger

Cat In the HatLeopard

Pig

Alien

Creature from the BlackLagoon

Cactus Man

Cultural

Rock-em Sock-em RobotMasquerade

Bunny

Cheshire Cat

Mouse

Queen ofHearts

The Mad Hatter

The Joker

Sunflower

Warrior Helmet

Bike helmet

Deer head

Demon Rabbit

Starry Night