How to Make Large Masks

Cover your work space with newspapers to protect it from the papier-mache goop; it is especially hard to clean up after it dries.

Plan your mask design on paper. Use a manufactured plastic mask as the base for your mask.

Cut cardboard pieces to shape the outside contours of your planned mask form. Use masking tape to attach these to the base mask. Lay this mask armature face up on top of a large sheet of cardboard. This allows you to move the mask as you work on it.

Whisk 2 cups of flour with two cups of water in a large bowl. Mix until you obtain a yogurt-like consistency.

Tear newspapers into 1-inch strips.

Submerge the paper strips in the papier-mache mix.

Pull strips from the paste mix, one at a time, through your fingers, to remove the majority of the excess paste. Your fingers act like a squeegee and remove most of the goop to leave a paste saturated strip.

Layer the strips over your armature in alternating directions until you have six layers.

Fabricate any protruding facial features with wads of paper and paste. Lay thinner strips across these areas to adhere them to the mask. Smooth the surface, if that is part of your design, or add texture when the paste is still damp.

Place papier-mache strips around the edge of the whole mask to strengthen them.

Dry the papier-mache for two days or until it is completely devoid of moisture; the weather will affect drying times.

Add elastic above ear level as a band to hold the mask to your head. Punch holes in these locations to fasten the elastic band.

Use acrylic paints to decorate your mask.