I have received some off list questions about the half
mask idea I posted.
My co-worker used those plastic face forms that are
available from any art supply catalog (Sax and Dick
Blick have them - as do others). He poured plaster in
the INSIDE to make the plaster humps (Just about half
full). Slabs were placed over these humps - cut out -
and left there for support. Students carved, pierced -
added clay. Masks were removed from the plaster humps
during leather hard stage and placed on paper to
finish drying. Leaving them on the plaster humps may
cause them to crack as they dry. Some of the masks
were bisque fired with the paper under them since they
were delicate. The paper burned out.
I have added this idea to the ceramic mask lesson
plan. If anyone does carnival masks, send me a sample
for the page. No lesson plan needed.
