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This Instructable (which will begin by bordering dangerously on "slideshow" and for that, I apologize) is the focal point for my 2008 Halloween costume. A huge, papier-mache mask of gruesome proportions!
And don't forget to vote for Horror Head in the DIY Halloween contest!
And don't forget to vote for Horror Head in the DIY Halloween contest!
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Unfortunately, I started this year's Halloween mask shortly before I started using the Instructables website, so I did not bother to take any pictures of the very early stages of construction. I had already done a fairly close coverage of this process on a previous mask project and since the principle is exactly the same, it didn't seem necessary.
In this case, rather than making a papier-mache shell over an inflated punch-ball balloon, I built the mask on a Diamond Comics corrugated cardboard shipping box - this takes far less time and works just as well, but it must be said that this method is slightly less cool.
Besides, even if I had taken detailed photographs, they can only help so much in terms of instruction. Essentially, this part of the process is sculpture, and you just have to make it up as you go along! I create shapes by wadding up newspapers and wrapping them with masking tape, then taping them to the box. It evolves organically over time, and I change it while I go, turning the head around to view it from various angles and just trying to make it look as cool as I can. The most important piece of advice, particularly if you're building on a box or balloon, is to do whatever you can to disguise the shape of your starting point. You don't want your mask to look like a box with a face, or a sphere with some pieces stuck on it... you want to incorporate that starting shape into the overall design and bury it beneath the face you're sculpting! On this mask, for example, I added the dome-shaped top and used another strip of cardboard to make a very angular, jutting chin, which helps to diminish the boxiness.
So, if you want to make an exact copy of my mask, then my first instruction is "MAKE A MASK OUT OF CARDBOARD, PAPER AND TAPE THAT LOOKS EXACTLY LIKE THIS."
Otherwise, start by experimenting with a way of sculpting the mask that is comfortable to you. It took me a while to find a method that worked for me, and everybody's different. Just bear in mind that the more materials you use, the heavier your final mask will be... and even though it's just flour and newspaper, the papier-mache will add quite a bit of weight.
You can see from the pictures here that I did not really start taking photographs until just after I started to coat the mask with papier-mache. The nails sticking out of his head posed certain problems, to ensure that they would stiffen and set at the correct angle. I tied the nail from his right eyelid to the nail protruding at the back of his head to keep it propped up while the flour-paste dried.
In this case, rather than making a papier-mache shell over an inflated punch-ball balloon, I built the mask on a Diamond Comics corrugated cardboard shipping box - this takes far less time and works just as well, but it must be said that this method is slightly less cool.
Besides, even if I had taken detailed photographs, they can only help so much in terms of instruction. Essentially, this part of the process is sculpture, and you just have to make it up as you go along! I create shapes by wadding up newspapers and wrapping them with masking tape, then taping them to the box. It evolves organically over time, and I change it while I go, turning the head around to view it from various angles and just trying to make it look as cool as I can. The most important piece of advice, particularly if you're building on a box or balloon, is to do whatever you can to disguise the shape of your starting point. You don't want your mask to look like a box with a face, or a sphere with some pieces stuck on it... you want to incorporate that starting shape into the overall design and bury it beneath the face you're sculpting! On this mask, for example, I added the dome-shaped top and used another strip of cardboard to make a very angular, jutting chin, which helps to diminish the boxiness.
So, if you want to make an exact copy of my mask, then my first instruction is "MAKE A MASK OUT OF CARDBOARD, PAPER AND TAPE THAT LOOKS EXACTLY LIKE THIS."
Otherwise, start by experimenting with a way of sculpting the mask that is comfortable to you. It took me a while to find a method that worked for me, and everybody's different. Just bear in mind that the more materials you use, the heavier your final mask will be... and even though it's just flour and newspaper, the papier-mache will add quite a bit of weight.
You can see from the pictures here that I did not really start taking photographs until just after I started to coat the mask with papier-mache. The nails sticking out of his head posed certain problems, to ensure that they would stiffen and set at the correct angle. I tied the nail from his right eyelid to the nail protruding at the back of his head to keep it propped up while the flour-paste dried.
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Stunned by your talent. I have always been a fan of the oversize mask, haven't even considered to try until now. I think some small scale paper mache projects would be great for my kids and get me back into the creative mode i have stored away for too long. I'm going to go over you other postings before I ask any of the questions that are in my head.
When I have to cut into them, I typically will use a very sharp X-acto blade. Those seem to work best. Any razor blade will work though, and they give you a lot more control than scissors do.
These days I do a lot more planning ahead so there is less need for me to make cuts in the finished product, but I learned in the past that if you need to cut eye-holes, for example, you should do it at an earlier stage when the papier-mache coating is thinner and more flexible. Then you can use strips of paper that will be folded down through the openings and continued on the interior surface, which help to reinforce the overall structure.
Can you give me a more detailed description of your project and the problems you faced with it? I'd be more than happy to help you out if I can.
In the past I have used padding (a child's tutu became a neck-ruffle for my Giant Clown Head, and the Toyman Head utilized a giant novelty bowtie that I made from a wedge of couch foam), but not this time.
It should be noted that none of my heads are built for comfort... when faced with a choice, I take form over function every time, since I'm the only one who has to wear it and I know that I can manage.
See the toy here!