Horse Mask WIP

If you’ve ever wondered how I make my masks here is a short form post on how it’s done. I have a 1/4 scale model of a human head; I sculpt on top of this in monster clay. Since my patterns are designed for cardboard first I try to get the sculpture as close to the human head as I can.

I use layers of tissue paper and glue to build up what will become the pattern itself. I draw on where I believe my cut lines should be. Extra appendages like ears, eyelids, or nostrils will be sculpted back on top so they can get the same paper treatment.

After I’ve made my register marks and thought about it very carefully I’ll cut the pattern off, scan it, blow it up several times, trace over the pattern digitally, mirror it, print those pieces, and assemble the first version.

You can see in one picture where I’m starting a new tradition of a fleshed creature on one side and a skull on the other side.

Masks take at least 2 iterations now that I’m experienced in the process because I want the pieces to fit as closely and readily as possible for those who buy the patterns.

I wish I had taken more photos during this process, but that was at least two years ago if not longer. Oh well! I’ll record more WIP of future masks here on my website blog.

An early sculpture of the horse mask in profile.

An early sculpture of the horse mask in 3/4 view.

An early sculpture of the horse mask facing forward. You can see the very beginnings of me sculpting what would become the horse skull mask on the other side.

Very very early prototyping. This went through two stages, the first is here.

Many things were tightened up after this early prototype. Ears and nostril pieces were sculpted on separately after I got the paper layers on for the pattern.