MASKS


Materials needed:

 Board on which to work (end of an apple box will do)
 Wet clay
 Paper-plain white, wrapping paper, paper towels, or newspaper
 Grease-cheap vaseline, salad oil, etc.
 Paste-flour and water, wall paper paste, etc.
 Shellac
 Paint-tempera, powder, or oil

Approach:
 Method i-Work directly with the clay on a board, letting the
 material suggest as you work what shape it should take.

 Method 2.-Determine ahead of time the character of the mask,
 whether it is to be human, animal, or bird, and any par-
 ticular type. Make sketches, if you desire, to help clarify
 your idea. Look at pictures of masks and actual examples to
 see how they are formed.

Method:
 Determine size. May vary from 3Y inches to life size or larger.
 Take amount of clay needed. Put on wood board, which is in a
slanting position if possible.
 Model the clay with both hands to form an oval shape which
is flat underneath. This will be approximately the shape of a face
which is rounding at top end and more pointed toward the chin.
 Thickness or depth of shape should be 2-4 inches.
 Using both thumbs at once, press in the eyes about halfway be-
tween top of head and chin. Push nose up from sides, letting it end
about halfway between eyes and chin. Push in mouth between end
of nose and chin.
 Roll small balls of clay to fit into eye sockets. Roll strips of clay
to build up mouth.
 Now start in and exaggerate. Pronounced features, chin, and
cheek bones are more effective than those that are too naturalistic.
Use your imagination. Dramatize. Try different expressions which
require the mouth to be turned, the nose made crooked, the eye-
brows raised, or the forehead wrinkled.