How do we make Animal Masks?

The solution for transforming a human face base into an animal character is simple! Use designs from a Face-Painting Book!

Because of the need for speed and easy delivery, face-painters have evolved designs that are simple and achieveable...effectively paring down an animal or character into its essential characteristics, using only the painterly tools of line and colour!

Face-painting Books, available from the school library, are perfect for providing wonderful inspiration for simple and effective animal masks.

Accomplishing Symmetry

Q. What is the easiest way to create a symmetrical pattern on my mask?

A. Three easy steps:

• As your Multimask cannot be folded in two like a flat sheet of paper can, the easiest way to transfer a half-pattern from one side of the face to the other is to draw on one side, then trace it using semi-transparent lunchwrap paper and soft pencil...


• Next gently shade over the top of your tracing in lead pencil, and then flip it over, placing it upside down on the other side of the mask so it reflects the original pattern...


• Next copy the outline of your drawing onto the mask pressing firmly (the pencil shading should act like carbon paper) leaving a tracing behind - which exactly matches your first half pattern...hey presto = Symmetry!

FAQ Beyond Limits

Q. Why do many masks look scary?

A. Most masks do not mean to scare.

The mask's facial features are often emboldened (exaggerated) to represent bold ideas - ideas that can take your mind beyond the world you know. The Mask as Storyteller transports you to that otherworld of imaginary creatures, gods/goddesses, spirits, visions and dreams, or the funster world of 'political satire' (poking fun at serious issues).

Most importantly, those often misunderstood emboldened characteristics are really about making visible the hidden potentials that are within everyone. Making, wearing and sharing masks gives the opportunity to be bigger, braver & bolder than you usually are. See Making Sense of the Funusual on MASKS2GLOBE weblog.

FAQ Kids at Heart

Q. Do you have any mask ideas for Valentines Day?
A. Try our Sweetheart Mice Masks in junior class...

You will need:
Multimasks, one for each child
Strong scissors and small curved tip scissors, pencil
White gesso or paint
Pink paint (for sniffy nose detail)
Florists wire for whiskers (available from Spotlight)
Lippy sticker (can be purchased from Spotlight or make your own from felt)
Assorted cupcake patty pans
Glue gun and Ribbon to match

Making Method:
Cut out a heart shape from a flat sheet of paper, sized to fit neatly inside a Multimask. Draw around the heart shape as best you can (centre it first) then cut it out. Now you have a heart-shaped template. Pop the template on top of each student's Multimask and draw around it, then cut it out. Cut out a small 'mouse-ish' eye template from scrap paper and draw around it on the heart mask. Open eyes using curved tip scissors. Now you are ready to paint your heart mask with 2 layers of white paint. Dry, then embellish. Paint nose first then make two pin-pricks either side and thread wire 'whiskers' through from the back. Bend wire into whimsical kinks (a dab of glue on the back secures them). Stick on lippy detail and cupcake 'ears'. Make two holes on each side at eye level and thread ribbon ties. Add eyelash details in gold pen, and your Sweetheart Mouse mask is ready to go...

FAQ Risking Intensity

Q. What capacities does mask making develop in the student?

A. A unit in mask-making can do a great deal to foster creativity by engaging students and enabling them to use and integrate the whole range of their thinking. Authoring and sharing mask work involves risk taking as masks stimulate aspects of thinking which thrive on adventures and problem solving.

FAQ Multimask Users

Q. Who is the Multimask designed for?

A. Since 2004 the premoulded Multimask has been used by a range of organizations including primary and secondary schools, colleges, museums and art galleries, youth theatres, hospitals, drama and healing arts practitioners, and artists.

FAQ Money Worries

Q. How much does it cost?

A. Multimasks cost no more than a standard stationery item (and considerably less than traditional mask-making materials like plaster, etc). A mask making session can even RAISE money for your school, for example; fundraiser masquerade balls, mask art cafes or wearable art evenings. Some schools find they have a little money leftover in the kitty towards the end of year, and mask-making makes an excellent activity for students at a loose end.

Another option is the Artists in Schools Programme (NZ) where a Ministry of Education-funded artist can bring their expertise into your classroom http://arts.unitec.ac.nz/artistsinschools/