Today you will make a clay mask!  

Masks have been created all over the world over many years Masks have been created all over the world over many years. In some cultures masks are used in special ceremonies or rituals. When you create your mask imagine that your mask has a purpose; what will your mask be used for? What features will be important to your mask? Answer who? what? When? Where? Why?

Chinese Masks

Native American Indian Masks

African Masks

Realistic Features

Animal Masks

How will your mask reflect your sketch?

Both of these masks have realistic features; however they are very different! Think about how you will glaze your mask……

Steps to Making a Clay Mask: Carefully form the clay slab over the mask mold. Begin to form the features of the face. Remember that if you are trying to show proportion realistically the eyes are almost halfway down the face. When planning your facial features look for basic shapes to represent each feature. Get a feel for the clay and form the features with your fingertips- be gentle when handling the clay- you do not want your mask to be too thin. Cut off the extra clay around the sides of your mask.

Slip and Score

Use the score and slip method to add clay pieces such as hair, eyebrows, lips, mustaches and ears to your mask. To make pieces use the extra clay you have to roll coils, cut out shapes, add scales, etc… SCORE AND SLIP! Use a tool to add texture to your mask. Use a tool to make a hole or two holes so that you will be able to hang your mask once it is fired Use a tool to write your name on the mask- on the side. Now your mask will need to dry before it can be fired! Please help with cleaning up your area, the tools, the floor, and the tables.

The armature provides structure and stability for the clay. Vocabulary word of the day is…… Armature- an armature is the framework which a sculpture is built around. The armature provides structure and stability for the clay. Interesting comparison- our skeletons act as the armatures for our bodies. The armatures we will use today include: Plastic mask forms and newspaper