Mask Making: Unmask the Unadulterated You!

Expression

Use your artwork to express yourself. This is a wonderful way to relieve pent up stress and frustration. Open up your imagination and your innermost feelings. Let your mask be your gateway to expressive freedom. Pour out all your real feelings into this expressive piece of artwork.

Formulate Ideas

Take time out and quietly meditate on what type of mask you want to make and just what it is going to represent. Will it be the image of one of the many masks you wear in day-to-day life? Perhaps, you'll wish to craft a representation of the face behind all of your day-to-day masks. Maybe your mask will be an image of the you that others rarely get to see. You may decide to unmask your unadulterated self by crafting a mask that depicts an image of your true self. These are all things that you will meditate about as you formulate your ideas and feelings about this mask.

Try to translate your deepest thoughts and feelings into an idea for a mask. Communicate with the innermost you. What do you really want your mask to depict? Write down a few sentences that describe the type of mask that you want to make. Write down what it is going to represent. Write down how you are going to convey your thoughts and feelings to others through this mask.

Create a simple drawing of the mask that you want to make for yourself. This will be the plan that you work off of, when you enter the production stage. Still, there are a few more things to do before you start to actually work on your mask.

Explore the Masks of Other Cultures

Look at some masks made by other cultures. Look at Yupik and Inuit Eskimo masks. Examine the masks of various African cultures. Can you find some examples of Oriental masks? How are all of these masks similar? How are they different? What were masks used for in other cultures, such as these?

Review your plan. Have the masks that you looked at, given you any additional ideas? Do you want to add or delete anything from your mask? Have you thought about how colors can add feelings and substance to your mask? What symbolic features will your mask exhibit?

Produce Your Mask

Now, make your mask. You can create a mask from almost anything. Take some construction paper, paper plates, coffee filters and let your imagination run wild. Purchase some paper mache, paint, and feathers, if you really want to get intricate. You may choose to use your own face as a temporary mask and create your artwork with make-up, glitter, and a wig or a hat. If you go this route, have someone photograph your finished product, so you have a keepsake.

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