Plaster Craft Face Masks

For ages 10 and Up

Aim: To make self-portrait masks
To learn how to use plastercraft to make sculpture

Materials: plastercraft, also called Pariscraft
vaseline
pencil
watercan
scissors
plastic garbage bags to cover laps
smocks, aprons
newspaper balled up loosely and tape to make face form
heavy cardboard or picture frame without glass
hot glue gun
yarn the color of hair
sharpie marker
acrylic or tempera paint, brushes, palettes
optional: showercaps or headbands to pull hair back
accessories (hats, jewelry, eyeglasses)

Vocabulary: plaster
"death" mask

Procedure: This project was the culminating art experience that students at my former elementary school got to make. They all looked forward to it. It takes several art periods, but is truly worth it.

On the first day, I would discuss self-portraits in general and what a death mask was in particular. I then get a volunteer "Victim." Have the victim put vaseline on their face over eyebrows, lips and around the edges. While he is doing this, I show how to cut the plastercraft into pieces with scissors. Be mindful to explain to kids not to blow the dust around when they do this step. You need about 30 pieces 5" x 1 1/4" or so; 8-10 pieces 1/2" x 3" for the nose and 10-15 pieces inbetween the other two sizes.

Put water in the can or container and place it NEAR THE EDGE OF THE TABLE WITH THE PLASTER STRIPS IN THE CENTER OF THE TABLE. NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND!! When plaster gets wet it starts to harden and becomes unusable, so you don't want put droplets of water on the strips by mistake.

Dip a larger piece into the water and stroke it. Sometimes you have to stroke it several times to get it to soften; other times, it gets soggy right away. The point is to get rid of the tiny holes in the material. As you pat down on the skin, there should be no holes visible at all. Start on the forehead, do the sides of the face and a little on the cheeks. Next take small pieces and make an X" on the top of the nose. Keep patting each piece down. Work deliberately and carefully. Don't rush the process. Here and there you'll need a medium sized piece to smooth things out. Don't work too thickly, but do put about three layers on each area. I find it works best to make the direction of the strips somewhat random than all horizontal, say. The places the masks tend to break are at the side of the head (temples) and the top of the nose (bridge). DO NOT COVER THE NOSTRILS OR THE EYES. Also, if someone has a nose cold, have them wait to do this until they are better. Breathing through your nose is crucial because the mouth will be covered.

Have a loose form of taped newspaper ready. When hardened (20 minutes or so), pull off at sides. Lay on the form and fill in the eyeballs and nose. The victim washes his face while the perpetrator finishes the mask. Poke a finger gently from the back to round out the nose tip, if necessary. Write the person's name in pencil inside the mask.

When the students do this project, they pair up and take turns on different days doing each other as victim and perp. If you have an odd number of kids, two can work on one mask.

When all masks are completed and dry, have students trim side edges straight OVER A GARBAGE CAN TO PREVENT UNNECESSARY DUST. Then the masks can be glued down on the cardboard with a hot glue gun.

The next art period(s)the students will paint the faces and background. I have them paint the entire face and neck skin color first before drawing on the features. You have to remind them that all things are life sized. Some students will make the eyes too big, so this step has to be approached slowly and carefully. After the skin is dry, I have them draw the almond shape of their eyeballs in pencil on the eye socket areas, using a mirror. They then draw in the iris, which is not a ball, but a part of a ball. They also draw in the eyelid line. These parts can be outlined in sharpie, once they are correct, but not until.

The background should be something fun: a place they love, something imaginary, people they care about, pets, etc. Clothing can be whatever.

The last step is gluing on hair and any real accessories.

These portraits were traditionally displayed at our graduation and they looked so fabulous in the hallway.