Supplies Needed

• a willing participant
• plaster impregnated gauze (about 1 roll per adult face)
• bowl of water
• vaseline

Making the Mask!

1. If the person has long hair pull it back with clips
2. Put a liberal coating of vaseline around the hair line, including eyebrows
3. To begin with use strips that are about 1" by 3". Start by dunking them in the bowl of water, and squeezing out excess water. I find it easiest to start at the top of the face and work around the perimeter first, overlapping the strips as you go.
4. Fill in and thicken the face.
5. When you have a couple of layers, you can build up certain areas of the face. The nose should be reinforced. If you want to the cheeks can be built up. Use smaller strips if necessary.
6. After about 30-40 minutes the subject will feel the mask pulling away from their face. At this time, the mask can be taken off. Examine it to see if there are any areas that you think are too light.
7. Put on more gauze if necessary.
8. It will probably take about 1 day for the mask to be completely dry.
9. Do not fiddle with it while it is drying.

Decorating the Mask!

Do you want to paint it, but feel like you want to prime it first to smooth out the texture?
Use gesso first, then paint it with acrylic paints. Use the sealer after for a protective coat if necessary.

Do you want something more than just paint?
Glue feathers, sequins, glitter, buttons, bits of paper, ribbon, magazine pages... to it.
For things like feather and sequins a glue gun will work well. For other things, consider using acrylic paint as your glue.

 

Dimensions of Performance	Below Standard Score: 1-2	Accomplished Score: 3-4	Excellent Score: 5
Content	Cannot identify shape, color, symmetry, balance, unity	Identifies some elements and principles of art that apply to project	Easily identifies elements and principles of art that apply to project
Craftsmanship skillful use of materials	Little or no skill in manipulation of media and technique	Average skill in manipulation of media and technique	Great skill in manipulation of media and technique
Critical Thinking ability to evaluate and critique artwork from design chart	Unable to explain purpose of mask, unable to use 5 elements of art to evaluate other masks	Can evaluate another mask using words from the 5 elements of art.	Can evaluate another mask using words from the 5 elements of art.
Creativity inventive new ideas personal expression	Same ideas as others, uses commercial ideas, copies existing mask on handout	Creates an original mask, uses new knowledge and skills with links to a cultural heritage	Independently creates an original mask, uses new knowledge and skills with sophistication and cultural significance
Commitment performing to best of ability, shows progress	Needs help from teacher consistently. Does not take risks, does not make good use of class time	Easily understands directions and key concepts, usually works independently.	Easily understands directions and key concepts. Helps others, works independently
Completion finished in a timely way makes good use of time	No purpose for mask/ Not finished on time, talked consistently during class/no name	Completes project on time/little talking/name on projects	Independently completes project on time/no talking/work turned in on due date