Halloween Masks

Article Tools

Image Gallery

Print

E-mail

Comments

RSS

Soon it's time to construct the actual masks. For this task, each youngster simply dips strips of paper—one at a time—in the flour/water soup, pulls each piece between two fingers to wipe off any excess goo, and then bravely lays the saturated newsprint on his or her clay form . . . making sure that the wet paper conforms as closely as possible to the mold.

We've found that six to ten layers of papier-mache will make a sturdy—yet lightweight—mask, and that the finished face will be stronger still if the separate layers are smoothed on in different directions . . . and!f a few extra strips are laid around the outer edge. (We paper right over all the apertures, since we can easily cut any necessary openings later.)

After the molds are completely covered, the Halloween faces are set out in the sun to dry. On a bright day the outside of the masks will harden within two to four hours, and they can be slipped off their molds. (Be sure that you treat projections—such as hooked noses—with care during this "peeling" process.) Then we remove the plastic wrap film from the inner surfaces and set the masterpieces back outdoors, so they can finish drying all the way through. (At this point, we often stop work until the next morning . .. but if you're in a hurry, you can complete the entire project in one day.)

Our next step is to trim the edges of each mask, and to cut out the "breathing and talking" openings. (We also cut out "looking" holes, but—since youngsters' faces are usually smaller than the visages they create—these peekholes and the mask's eyes rarely match.) We then smooth any rough corners or edges that have been caused by our slicing work, using a bit of sandpaper.

Now comes the vital face-painting stage . . . the point at which the horrifying countenance-covers are almost ready to vi brate into life. All the children put a lot of care into the decorating work, since a creative use of bright, contrasting colors can transform a seemingly mediocre goblin into a ghoulish fantasy that will surely delight the most particular Halloweener.

Finally, each child attaches some elastic to hold the disguise on his or her head, dons any suitable scrap of clothing (the finished creations are so marvelous that costumes are almost superfluous), and becomes a new self!

And that's all there is to it. But beware: If you and your family try making your own papier-mache Halloween masks this year, you may well find your youngsters armed with creations so terrifying that the Druids themselves will spin in their graves!

RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print