How to Make a Carnival Mask: 12 Steps

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How to Make a Carnival Mask: 12 Steps
How to Make a Carnival Mask: 12 Steps

Video: How to Make a Carnival Mask: 12 Steps

Video: How to Make a Carnival Mask: 12 Steps
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Carnival is a lively festival that takes place every year between February and March, and its best known symbol is probably the mask. These fancy items can be made at home with just a few easy-to-find materials. Learning more about the process and the materials you will need can help you make your own carnival mask.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Making the mask mold

Make a Carnival Mask Step 1
Make a Carnival Mask Step 1

Step 1. Find a balloon to use as a base

A simple and inexpensive way to make a mold for your mask is to use a balloon. It should be inflated to a size that is roughly the same size as your face. The papier-mâché will be placed on top of the balloon, which will then be popped and only the mask will remain.

Make a Carnival Mask Step 2
Make a Carnival Mask Step 2

Step 2. Take a piece of cardboard or cardstock

For a simple mask, you can use one of these materials to build its base. Either can be a great choice, allowing you to create a stable shape that you find interesting.

  • Cut a flat piece of card stock roughly the shape of your face.
  • Cut smaller pieces and glue them to the first one to create lines like a nose or mouth.
Make a Carnival Mask Step 3
Make a Carnival Mask Step 3

Step 3. Use paper and tape to form the mask

If you want your mask to be detailed and have complex shapes, the best option is to use paper and tape. On top of the flat cardboard base, add wads of paper and tape to make any shapes you like.

  • This method allows you to make more detailed and complex shapes.
  • Smooth shapes can also be created with this method.
  • Align the mask's eyes, nose and mouth with yours so you can see and breathe when you wear it. Hold the mask in front of your face to get an idea of where those features are.

Part 2 of 3: Making papier mache

Make a Carnival Mask Step 4
Make a Carnival Mask Step 4

Step 1. Prepare your paper

The first step in making papier mache involves preparing the paper; it will bond with the glue and help form the strong body of the mask. Take the type of paper you want to use and tear it into narrow strips that will then be placed in the mold, covering it and creating the mask.

  • Tear the paper into strips.
  • They should be about 2.5 cm wide and 15 cm long.
  • Newspaper is the type of paper most used for this.
  • You can use colored paper if you don't plan to paint the mask.
  • When making the final layer, using white paper can help reduce the amount of ink needed.
Make a Carnival Mask Step 5
Make a Carnival Mask Step 5

Step 2. Create the papier-mâché folder

After preparing the paper, you will need to make the paste, which is the other key ingredient for papier-mâché. There are some papier-mâché recipes you can use; all will have the same effect of turning on the mask and making a strong material when it dries. Try some of the following recipes to make papier mache paste:

  • Add ¼ cup water to ¾ cup glue and mix.
  • Or boil 5 cups of water with 1 cup of flour for about 3 minutes.
  • Or mix 1 cup water with 1 cup flour.
Make a Carnival Mask Step 6
Make a Carnival Mask Step 6

Step 3. Dip the strips of newspaper into the folder

When you're ready to start building the carnival mask, you'll need to run the paste over the strips. The paper will form the body of the mask and the paste will allow it to dry into the final hard form of the mask. Dip the paper strips into the pasty mixture, covering them completely before applying them to the mask.

Do this one strip at a time for more control

Part 3 of 3: Making the mask

Make a Carnival Mask Step 7
Make a Carnival Mask Step 7

Step 1. Apply layers of paper strips

After dipping the paper into the mixture, it's time to apply it to the mask. Take your time to apply the strip as evenly and smoothly as possible. You will probably have to overlap them, but try to make each strip cover as much of the mask as possible. Continue applying strips until the mask is completely covered with a few layers.

  • Do not apply more than 4 layers of paper mache strips.
  • Go slowly and try to make each strip cover as much area as possible.
Make a Carnival Mask Step 8
Make a Carnival Mask Step 8

Step 2. Let your mask dry completely

When your mask has the first few layers applied to the base, you'll have to wait for them to dry. Adding more layers too soon can cause problems with hardening of the first layers, making the entire process take longer. Ensure that the first application of papier-mâché is completely dry before proceeding.

It can take up to 24 hours for a layer to dry completely

Make a Carnival Mask Step 9
Make a Carnival Mask Step 9

Step 3. Cover the mask once more with layers of papier-mâché

If you feel the mask is still too thin or not strong enough, you can add more layers of paper. When the first layer is completely dry, apply more layers of papier-mâché, working slowly and ensuring that each strip covers as much area as possible.

  • Do not apply more than four layers of papier-mâché at this step.
  • Repeat the drying and coating process until it is the thickness you want.
Make a Carnival Mask Step 10
Make a Carnival Mask Step 10

Step 4. Make your mask wearable

In the final application of papier-mâché at the base of the mask, you can add something to make it wearable; what you add will depend on the style of the mask you are making. The method you use should allow the mask to hold your face and let you see, breathe and speak through it.

  • Place a rubber band between two paper clips. Place a clip on each side of the mask and cover with papier mache. When it dries, the elastic will lock in place, creating a strap that will hold the mask to your face.
  • A simple, traditional method of wearing a carnival mask is to place a stick and hold it in front of your face. Take a kebab stick or toothpick and attach it to the chin of the mask with papier-mâché, which will dry and hold the toothpick in place.
  • Cut the holes in the eyes, mouth and nostrils with scissors or a knife. Hold the mask to your face to get an idea of where these holes are and mark these areas with a pen before cutting.
Make a Carnival Mask Step 11
Make a Carnival Mask Step 11

Step 5. Remove the base

When the mask is completely formed with the papier-mâché and has dried completely, you can remove the mold. Slowly unglue the two pieces to ensure they are pulling apart without spoiling. When the base is removed, you will only have the papier-mâché mask.

  • It is possible to use the template to make more masks.
  • Work slowly to avoid damaging the mask.
Make a Carnival Mask Step 12
Make a Carnival Mask Step 12

Step 6. Decorate the mask

Now that the mask is completely formed and dry, it's time to decorate it. Carnival masks are known for their colorful and dramatic lines, and yours should be in the same style. Feel free to let your imagination run wild as you decorate your mask.

  • Paint it with colors or a design you like.
  • Add decorations such as stones or feathers with a hot glue gun.

Tips

  • Using different types of paper will result in different colors for the unpainted mask.
  • Allow the mask to dry completely between layers.
  • Be careful when removing the base of the dry mask.
  • You can buy pre-made white masks that just need to be decorated.

Notices

  • Not waiting for the mask to dry between papier mache applications can ruin it.
  • Do not add more than four layers of papier-mâché at a time.

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