Introduction: Make Fire Themed Clay Mask

Make a fire themed mask out of clay.

Supplies

  1. Paper-mache clay
  2. Clay-tools
  3. Primer
  4. Acrylic paints or Watercolors
  5. Paint blushes
  6. Newspaper
  7. Paper tape
  8. Mesh or thin cloth
  9. Board
  10. Scissors
  11. Strong Adhesive.

Step 1: Base of the Mask

  1. Take the newspaper and crumble it into a ball, Shape it such that it resembles a human head.
  2. Use paper tape to secure the structure, and tape it on a flat surface.
  3. Take the paper-mache clay and kneed it to make it soft. Then flatten it into a oval shape.
  4. Soak the thin cloth with water and place it on the clay.
  5. Gently lift the clay and place it on the newspaper mould, placing the cloth side downwards.
  6. Using fingers shape the clay.

Step 2: Sculpting the Mask

  1. Divide the mask horizontally into 4, and mark them lightly.
  2. Pick a sharp edged clay tool and carve out the eyes, on the first mark.
  3. Take the remaining clay and using palms roll it out into coils of decreasing length.
  4. Using scoring technique to attach them together in a wing shape.
  5. By scoring and slipping this piece is attached to at the corner of the eye. Then seal the edges by using the flattening tool, and merge the ends with the base.
  6. Sculpt the remaining clay into a nose and lips structure, and attach in to the base as done earlier.
  7. Use a sharp tool to shape the mask into the desired shape.
  8. Make another coil (thinner than before), and shape it around the edges to give a smooth finish.
  9. Merge the coil seamlessly with the base.
  10. Finally, use wet fingers to smooth out any uneven surfaces and let it dry overnight.

Step 3: Primer

  1. Using paintbrushes, apply a thick layer of primer on the mask.
  2. If necessary add another layer.
  3. Let the primer dry.

Step 4: Add Color to the Mask

  1. Start of with the lemon on the pallet and paint around the eye holes.
  2. Slowly transition into a mustard yellow, then light orange and finally crimson.
  3. Use cherry red on the ends of the wing and lips.
  4. Make a tear-drop shape in the middle of the forehead with the same gradient used in the mask.
  5. If you use watercolors, apply a few layers to build the vibrancy of the colour.


Step 5: Mask Stand

  1. Cut the board into a rectangle of height of 20 cms and width according the the width of the mask.
  2. Cut two of the adjacent edges such that it is equal of the distance between the eye-holes
  3. Take another rectangle of a lesser width and attach it at an angle according to the desired height, using the adhesive.
  4. Cut another smaller rectangle and stick it to the base of the bigger rectangle for support.

Step 6: Final Touches

  1. After everything dries, place the mask on the stand.