How Do You Make Paper Mache Masks At Home?
The mask gallery on the San Jose State University’s Another Face website celebrates mask making from cultures throughout the world. Before photography, people made masks depicting a person who died. (See References 1) Museums and galleries display masks as art. Stage performers and revelers at Mardi gras, Carnival, costume balls and Halloween continue to make use of masks as a costume element. The mask maker may intend the mask for wearing or for display. Making paper mache masks at home requires only inexpensive materials and basic techniques. (See References 2) Cover the work surface with newspaper. Mix one part flour to four parts water. For example, mix ½ cup of flour with 2 cups of water in a bowl. Tear newspapers or plain paper into ½-inch wide strips. Tear letter size paper lengthwise. Dip a strip of paper in the bowl of paste mixture and pull the paper strip between two of your fingers to remove excess paper mache mix. Apply the strips lengthwise to the mask form, from the top
