DIY Paper Mache Mask

I made a mask using paper mache for a Class project. Here’s my approach towards making this mask.

Materials Required:-

1. Newspaper
2. Paper Tape
3. Paper mache (can be made to paper, chalk powder and glue)
4. Cloth gauze
5. Clay scraping and shaping tools
6. Primer paint
7. Paints (Acrylic is preffered)
8. Foam board

After deciding the THEME of your mask. Look up some reference images related to your theme and come up with a rough sketch of what you want your mask to look like. This will help you plan your process of making the actual mask.

Use newspaper and paper tape to make the base of your mask. The shape of the base decides the face shape of the mask. After getting the desired shape. Use tape to fix it onto a rigid surface so that it stays at one place.

Put the gauze on top of the newspaper base. This will avoid our paper mache sticking to the newspaper. Now put paper mache on top of the newspaper base in the required shape. My mask has an oval shaped face. Make yours according to your desired face type.

Now cut off any holes that you want your mask to have. It can be eyes mouth or any other hole that your design has using clay shaping tools. This has to be done initially as it’ll become difficult to cut them later. After this start adding details of the design. According to your design add these details layer by layer. If you want to attach any extra clay (like I did for the nose and eyebrows) you can shape the extra clay first and then add it by smoothening the joint using clay tools. You can also use heavily moisturised paper mache which acts as a glue to stick these extra clay elements.

After adding all the details. Wait for the mask to dry for sometime and add a coat of Primer on it. After adding primer let the mask dry for at least 2-3 days. After the primer coating is dried, we can start to add paints on it. Let the paint dry.

Now, you can separate your mask from the newspaper base and cut the extra gauze around it.

Using a foam board make a stand that will display your mask in the way you want.

Congratulations! Your mask is complete. Display it proudly or wear it to show off your creativity!!