This week we will spend a full five days delving into the history of masks throughout history. You are to create your own mask through one of several means, paper mache, template masks or by another means. You will first produce a rough design of your mask and give its meaning or symbolism that is represented.

Assignment #1:

Print out the following page (Drag it to your desktop if needed). Complete the assignment, make a photo and send it to ihs.db@yahoo.com .

Assignment #2:

Create a mask as shown above, either a virtue mask or an animal mask with only one half of the face as shown above. To create a mask out of paper mache all you need is flower+water to create a paste using newpaper or magazine paper.

Step one: Outline your face with a sheet of paper. Next, increase the lines two inches all the way around.

Step two: Ball up small pieces of newspaper or newsprint. Place the outline on a table and then place the small balls of paper on top of the outline. Where ever there shows a rise or relief in the face add larger pieces of paper. This is especially done to create a nose and mouth. When you start applying coated strips of paper with the paste you can easily build up the facial proportions as needed.

Step three: Create at least two hundred strips from the newspaper or newsprint that are 1/2 inch wide by 4 inches long.

Step Four: Using one cup of flower, and one cup of water mix them both in a large bowl.

Step Five: Submerge the strips of paper into the paste one at a time. Squeegee the paste off using two fingers and place the strips over the balls of paper. Cover the whole face outline. Repeat the process until you have put two complete layers of paper strips covering the face, then let it dry overnight.

Step Six: Repeat the process to add more strips of paper to build up the nose, lips, chin and cheeks. To make you nose larger simply ball up smaller pieces of paper and lay down more strips over those small balls of paper.

Step Seven: Once the mask is dry apply your paint and design. 

When you mask is completed send me a photo of it to ihs.db@yahoo.com

YOU HAVE TWO WEEKS TO COMPLETE THIS LESSON