This book teaches new techniques that anyone can use to create fabulous masks easily and quickly. Make one of the 12 popular mask styles in the book with detailed instructions and over 300 step-by-step photos - or use these easy new methods to create your own unique designs. Jonni shows you exactly how to sculpt the features of your masks so they truly represent the character and expression you're looking for. Then capture that look permanently with just two layers of super-strong, fast-setting paper mache, using the recipes included in the book. Your finished masks can look like they were made from fur or feathers, antique gold, ancient bone, rusted iron, glazed porcelain, and even carved and highly polished African wood. The innovative methods in this book are easy, the materials cost just pennies per mask, and your new creations will be even more fun to make than they are to wear. This book takes the art of paper mache masks to a whole new level.

In this highly practical guide, award-winning theatre artist Melody Anderson shares her various mask-making techniques, with easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions and examples drawn from her remarkable career. "Making Masks" is an invaluable resource for theatre professionals, artists, teachers, and students of all ages and skill levels who are interested in this art form.

Mask Making Techniques: Creating 3-D Characters from 2-D Designs for Theatre, Cosplay, Film, and TV, introduces and demonstrates a variety of mask making materials, techniques, and styles to bring extraordinary characters to life. A foundation reference for mask making and design, the book features over 700 color photos and illustrations of different masks, as well as diagrams of construction and finishing techniques. It provides a wealth of practical information about material options, safety, how to build large- and small-scale masks, how to build armatures for appendages, options for coverings, and finishing techniques. Readers will learn how to use a wide range of materials, including latex, paper and fabric mâché, cold foam, thermoplastics, urethane, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, resin, found objects, and organic materials. The book also provides tips on topics such as how to create rigid polyfoam head forms and three different ways to create eyes, as well as step-by-step instructions to construct 13 different masks. Mask Making Techniques is written for intermediate mask makers, students of theatrical mask making, costume crafts, and prop making courses, as well as prop builders, costume designers, and artists who create Halloween and cosplay costumes.

From concept to construction.

Step-by-step instructions for creating papier-mâché monstrosities and expanding the limits of your imagination, from the author of Paper Mache Dragons Celebrated monster-making master Dan Reeder is at it again—helping others to let out their inner monsters! All that’s needed are a few simple materials and a wild imagination. Reeder guarantees success if the tried-and-tested, goof-proof how-to steps in this humorous read are followed. But there’s more—he’s also giving away all of his secrets for creating ghoulish monster elements such as jaws, claws, horns, scales, webbing, tentacles, eyeballs, fingers, toes, gnarly hands and feet, and even perfect drool! Learn how to make a basic monster and you’ll be well on your way to creating more hideous creatures, beasts, dragons, and whatever else your dark side can think of! “I’m not one to argue that the world doesn’t need more monsters, be they made of papier and/or cloth mâché, as demonstrated in Dan’s entertaining new book, or flesh and blood, as demonstrated by the one standing behind you right now.” —Gary Larson, creator, Far Side “For lovers of the truly grotesque, Reeder provides detailed photo instructions for large figures constructed of clothes hangers, newspaper, and glue. Cloth skin, teeth, and slathered-on paint finish them off. The toothy dragons are particularly effective.” —School Library Journal

Meet your dream plate and fall in love with a faster, friendlier approach to printmaking. For artists and crafters who love the creative possibilities of monoprinting on gelatin but not the prep time, mess and inconvenience that comes with it, the Gelli Arts Gel Printing Plate is a dream come true! It's durable, reusable, stored at room temperature, and ready to get creative whenever you are. Simply apply paint with a soft rubber brayer, make your marks and pull your print. It's that simple! Wipe the plate down with a spritz of water and a paper towel, and you're ready to go again. In this premier guide, artist Joan Bess--inventor of the concept for the Gelli plate--unleashes the fun through more than 60 step-by-step techniques. Create intriguing patterns using tools like sponges, textured rollers and homemade combs. Learn how to incorporate stencils and rubber stamps. Experiment with metallic paint, dimensional paint and gel medium. Become a texture-hunter, creating a wide world of effects using embossed papers, natural objects, rubber bands, lace, corrugated cardboard, metal tape, die cut letters...anything goes! Even beginners can enjoy immediate gratification--just grab a textured surface, smoosh it into your painted Gelli plate, and you'll have a stack of amazing prints in no time. For experienced printmakers, the inspirations in these pages will push you to experiment, adapt, combine and layer. It's easy, fun and totally addicting! Printmaking just got easier! • Expert tips from the creator of the Gelli plate • 60+ awesome step-by-step techniques • Ideas for incorporating stamps and stencils, using ghost prints, salvaging uninspired prints, and more • 26-page gallery shows the many wonderful ways artists are incorporating Gelli printing into their work