Make a Japanese mask using paper mache.
A traditional Japanese mask worn in theatrical plays is called a Noh mask. Each mask represents a person, ghost, devil, hero or animal. More than 200 different Noh masks are used to perform each play. Materials used to make the masks include paper, clay, wood, cloth, and dry lacquer. The most common mask characters are Gigaku, Bugaku, Gyodo, Hannya, Ko-omote, Otoko, Uba, Chujo and Shikami (the demon masks). Make a replica Japanese mask using paper mache and acrylic paint.
Instructions
1. Cover a flat work surface with several sheets of newspaper. Tear additional newspaper into 1-inch-by-6-inch strips. Approximately 75 strips are required. Set the strips to one side of the newspaper-covered surface.
2. Pour 2 cups white glue and 4 cups water in a 5-quart ice cream container. Mix thoroughly. Set the container on the newspapered work surface.
3. Place the plastic mask form on the newspaper.
4. Dip a strip of newspaper in the glue and water mixture. Make sure to cover the entire strip. Pull the strip from the glue mixture through your thumb and forefinger to remove any excess from the strip. Immediately place the strip on the mask form in a diagonal fashion. Smooth the wet newspaper strip with your fingers to remove all bumps, bubbles and creases. Repeat the process, working in a crisscross formation across the entire surface of the mask form. Allow the paper mached mask to dry for 30 minutes. Repeat the process for a total of five layers of paper mached newspaper strips. Allow the mask to dry four hours.
5. Look at the picture of the desired Japanese mask. Dip four to six strips of newspaper in the glue and water mixture. Crunch the pieces to form a teardrop or round shapes. Place the teardrop on the mask in the desired location, such as the nose, eyebrows, checks, lips and/or forehead.
6. Cover the teardrop or round shapes with three to four strips of newspaper. Smooth the wet strips to remove all bumps and creases in the paper. Add two to three more layers of wet newspaper to attain a smooth look.
7. Dip one strip of newspaper in the glue mixture and remove the excess liquid. Roll the paper from one long edge to another to form a long straight stick. Fold the stick around the eye to shape the eye lid, add definition to the mouth and/or features on the face. Refer to the picture of the chosen Japanese mask for proper placement. Cover the rolled strips with two to three flat strips of newspaper dipped in the glue mixture. Smooth the paper.
8. Allow the mask to dry 24 hours before removing from the mask form.
9. Remove the paper mache mask from the mask form. Cut around the edges with a craft knife to create a smooth edge.
10. Squeeze a quarter size drop of the main mask color on a paper plate. Paint the main surface color of the mask, except for the eyes. Allow the paint to dry for 15 minutes. Repeat the process.
11. Squeeze a pea-size drop of accent color paint on a paper plate. Paint any accents such as facial scars, eyes, outlines and/or hair detail. Allow the paint to dry 15 minutes.
12. Open the can of acrylic spray sealer. Shake the can of sealer for 60 seconds. Hold the nozel 12-inches from the surface of the Japanese mask. Spray a thin coat of sealer over the mask. Allow the mask to dry 15 minutes. Apply a total of three coats to the surface. Allow the mask to dry two to three hours before use.
