Dragon Mask - Step 7 - It's Finished!!

Well, here's the finished mask. I hope you all enjoyed seeing the progress.

Dragon Mask - Step 6

I've started adding feathers!



Finished Mask

Dragon Mask - Step 5

Now that the painting is complete, the support for the feathers is added.



Step 6

Dragon Mask - Step 4

At this point I finally got the paint job the way I had envisioned.




Step 5

Dragon Mask - Step 3 Image

At this point I've gotten the base color darkened up nicely and I'm starting work on the scale painting. The materials next to the mask are things I'm considering incorporating into the final.



Step 4

Dragon Mask - Step 2 Images

Here's the first coat of paint. The whole thing is way too bright but everything needs a starting point right?




Step3

Dragon Mask - Step 1 Image

Originally, I was going to post a series of images detailing the process of this mask after it was complete. I've since decided that I may as well break up the posting.

I generally don't rush through making a mask, but I have to admit the sheer amount of time I spent thinking about this one before I even began was extreme. I'm pretty sure it counts in months and not days. Because this was such a departure to the masks I've done in the past I had to work out how I wanted it to conform to the face, how wide the bridge of the nose could be, where the eyes would be placed and how I was planning to decorate it - all before I even began!

The first step was to create a form I could use to drape the paper mache over. I used a cheap air day clay mounted on a giant easter egg of all things. (For anyone wondering, the easter egg has roughly the same size and over shape as the human face.) It worked well, although once I finally got my paper mache shaped the form I used broke. :(

The image below is what the paper mache mask looked like after it had been removed from the form and lightly sanded.



Step 2

Blog Customization

I've been playing around with customizing this blog for most of the day so far. I finally have 3 columns like I wanted and now I'm trying to decide on a name I like. As soon as I get that squared away, I'll finish up the header graphic and post it.

In other news, I realized that I neglected to post the last mask that was finished. This was made for my sister who liked another that I had done in a similar style. (see post below) Enjoy!

Finally posting the newest mask..

Can you believe it? I've posted more in the last 2 days than I did all of last month! lol.

Above is the latest mask. I call this one the wedding mask. It's all in white & antique white with pearl accents. It's for sale if anyone is interested.

2nd Costume

In an earlier post I mentioned a second costume that I wore for this years Renaissance Festival. Here it is!

The second image is the mask that was worn with this costume.

Mask Closeup

I had this handy, so I thought I'd post it. This is the mask I am wearing in my previous post.

This Year's Costume

Well, I've had a great Renaissance festival season. I had 2 primary outfits that I alternated wearing each weekend and it's possible that I'm even in the background of a movie that was being filmed there. This image is the my black and gold costume. The mask is something I made myself. The feathers on my head were purchased at the fair. The base skirt was found on ebay, the coin scarf came from a convention, and the beaded scarf (at some point I'll be posting pictures of that separately) was found at a thrift store.

Purse Makeover

I've been experimenting with a number of projects recently and thought it was about time that I posted one. This is an example of a purse makeover I did recently. The left side of the image is obviously before and the right side is the after.

A New Mask

I haven't quite decided if I completely finished with this one yet, but I'm posting it anyway. I may or may not be adding some paint detailing around the eyes. Until then, I'd love to get some feedback!

This is the first mask that I made solely with the intention to sell. I haven't decided exactly what the price tag will be though. (Feel free to email me with offers!)

In terms of it's details: the beads that drape from the top of the mask can actually be removed or replaced with other dangles via convenient little hooks on the back. I quite liked them myself but I wanted this mask to be versatile.

Mask me - Death Eater Style

As I'm completely enamored with my mask making, I offered to make a Death Eater mask for a friend for Christmas. It took quite a while and I just finished the distressing about 20 minutes ago, but I couldn't wait to show it off! This mask is based off of the official HP art for the Bellatrix Lestrange mask.

Presents Abound

My aforementioned little sister also took it upon herself to make a few Christmas gifts this year. I was the lucky recipient of 2 handmade hand flowers. This is the first and is completely her own design.

Mask 2: The plot continues

Well here it is: the second finished mask! It was really hard to let this one go. I think it's actually a toss up whether I like this one or my own more.

The Infamous Mask

As I mentioned in my previous post, I finished a mask to accompany one of my Renaissance Festival outfits. I may add feathers to it at some point, but it's complete enough to stand on it's own as is.

I can't even begin to describe how long it took to string all those beads! Which must make me a glutton for punishment as I'm now making a second one for my sister for Christmas.

If anyone is interested, the mask itself was formed with a rolled out piece of paper clay using another mask I had as a guide. Once it was shaped and sanded, it was painted with acrylics, textured, painted some more and the jewel was added. The beads were added next and then I sprayed a clear gloss coat over the mask to make it glossy.