How to make paper mache masks includes easy instructions for a

How To Make Paper Mache Masks
How
to
make
paper
mache
masks
includes
easy
instructions
for
a
zulu
warrior,
mummy
mask
or
ghoul.
Create
your
own
unique
masks
using
this
easy
paper
mache
technique.
These
paper
mache
masks
make
great
party
favors
or
decorations
for
a
kids
jungle
party
or
Halloween
party.
MATERIALS
One gallon plastic milk jug Newspaper, torn into 1 inch by 6-8" inch strips
White computer paper or paper towels,
torn into strips
Flour and water mixture for paper mache paste
Salt
Scissors and Craft Knife
Assorted colors of acrylic paint
Craft feathers (optional)
~ How To Make Paper Mache Masks ~
INSTRUCTIONS
Prepare Work Surface:
Prepare your work surface with a layer of newspaper you can discard, or an old
plastic tablecloth you can wipe clean of goop and glops which are part of this messy
project!
Tear several pages of newspaper into strips, approximately 1 inch wide by 6-8 inches
long. Don’t try to be neat and cut them with scissors; the torn edges will adhere
more closely and give a smoother overall surface to the finished project.
How To Make Paper Mache Paste:
This is our favorite recipe:
Mix one part flour with 5 parts water. Bring to a boil on the stovetop and simmer for
3 minutes. Add a tablespoon or two of salt to help prevent mold. You will have
consistency like thick glue. Let cool and pour into a plastic left-over container.
Other Paper Mache Paste Recipe Options:
Recipe #1 - One part flour to two parts water. Squeeze out lumps and add
tablespoon or two of salt as mold preventative.
Recipe #2 - 3/4 cup white glue to 1/4 cup water
Recipe #3 - liquid starch found at your supermarket
~ How To Make Paper Mache Masks ~
Cutting the Milk Jug:
With a pair of sharp scissors, cut the milk jug in half from top to bottom. You can
use the handle side of the jug or the other side, whichever looks like it will produce
the most interesting mask. Soak and remove any labels. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
Hold the jug half upside down and envision what your paper mache mask warrior will
look like. The jug handle will serve as a nose. Using a craft knife, cut eye holes in
the jug. You can make them round, triangular, or rectangles.
Use the natural lines, circles or other physical characteristics of your particular jug to
enhance the design. We used the round indentations on the milk jug to make big
saucer-like eyes on one of the masks pictured here. Use your imagination and have
fun!
You can even cut the milk jug down one side, cut each side into 1/2 inch strips and
roll them back to create the impressive mask shown here.
~ How To Make Paper Mache Masks ~
Layering:
Dip a newspaper strip into the flour mixture to coat, and apply it to
the milk jug horizontally. Add another strip slightly overlapping the
first. Continue this process until the entire jug is covered. Wrap short
strips around the eyeholes from front to back of mask. Let the first
layer dry completely.
Each layer will take up to 24 hrs. to dry, so cover your leftover flour
mixture and place in the refrigerator overnight to prevent spoiling.
When you're ready for the next layer, just microwave it for about one
minute. This way it's nice and warm to work with!
Apply a second layer to the jug, this time angling the strips in a horizontal direction,
and overlapping. This second and final layer should be made from torn strips of
white computer paper. This allows for easier paint coverage when it's time to
decorate.
Decorating:
Zulu Warrior
~ How To Make Paper Mache Masks ~
Now
your
paper
mache
mask
is
ready
to
paint
and
decorate.
You
may
wish
to
paint
a
solid
layer
of
one
color
first,
then
add
details.
Rings
around
the
eyes,
stripes
and
spots
of
different
colors
will
add
a
wild
look
to
your
zulu
warrior
mask.
Craft
feathers
can
be
hot
glued
to
the
top
of
the
mask
to
add
to
the
effect.
Mummy Mask
While
doing
this
paper
mache
project,
we
discovered
that
the
unpainted
mask
looks
like
a
real
mummy
face,
complete
with
the
white
(computer
paper)
wrapping!
These
make
great
Halloween
party
decorations!
Prepare
jugs
with
one
layer
of
paper
mache,
then
let
kids
make
their
own
mummy
mask
at
your
Halloween
party.
To
add
to
the
fun,
tell
them
they're
using
squishy
mummy
brains
to
make
the
mask!
The
paper
mache
paste
is
just
the
right
texture
to
get
kids
imaginations
in
the
slimy
spirit
of
Halloween
fun!