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Description
(2009) 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", paper mache, tempera paint, metallic paints and glazes, ribbon

My own version of a Death Eater mask. I enhanced a regular blank mask with sculpey to make the brow ridges and the bulge for the mouth-grille, then covered the mask with four layers of paper mache and a flour-water mix. Once the paper had dried I lifted it off and reinforced the new mask with multiple layers of white tempera paint.

The raw mask was then ready to be drilled. I used my Dremel to sand the mask smooth, cleaned up the openings for the eyes and drilled holes for the nose, for the ribbons for fastening the mask and the openings for the mouth grille. I also scored the outline of the silver design to make it look as if it was a metal inlay and added four sculpey "screws" on the mouth grille.

For the finish I first gave the entire mask a deep bronze coat, then painted silver onto the pattern and antiqued the whole piece. As a last step I rubbed a little silver highlight on some of the exposed areas of the silver pattern.

As a surprising side effect the layers of metal paint changed the mask from totally rigid to a more springy and flexible texture - more like a leather than a paper mask, which makes it that much more comfortable to wear.

While the design is inspired by the masks from the last two Harry Potter movies, the actual pattern and shape is not a copy, but my own take on this type of dark wizard mask.

Description
(2009) 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", paper mache, tempera paint, metallic paints and glazes, ribbon

My own version of a Death Eater mask. I enhanced a regular blank mask with sculpey to make the brow ridges and the bulge for the mouth-grille, then covered the mask with four layers of paper mache and a flour-water mix. Once the paper had dried I lifted it off and reinforced the new mask with multiple layers of white tempera paint.

The raw mask was then ready to be drilled. I used my Dremel to sand the mask smooth, cleaned up the openings for the eyes and drilled holes for the nose, for the ribbons for fastening the mask and the openings for the mouth grille. I also scored the outline of the silver design to make it look as if it was a metal inlay and added four sculpey "screws" on the mouth grille.

For the finish I first gave the entire mask a deep bronze coat, then painted silver onto the pattern and antiqued the whole piece. As a last step I rubbed a little silver highlight on some of the exposed areas of the silver pattern.

As a surprising side effect the layers of metal paint changed the mask from totally rigid to a more springy and flexible texture - more like a leather than a paper mask, which makes it that much more comfortable to wear.

While the design is inspired by the masks from the last two Harry Potter movies, the actual pattern and shape is not a copy, but my own take on this type of dark wizard mask.