African masks are more than just decorative objects; they are powerful symbols with deep cultural significance. They have been used for centuries in tribal ceremonies to represent ancestors, spirits, and various aspects of life. These masks, often made from materials like wood, leather, fabric, and metal, have also heavily influenced modern Western and European artists.
Creating your own African-inspired mask can be a fascinating and educational project. It allows you to explore different cultures, express your creativity, and learn about the rich history behind these iconic art pieces. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you get started.
Understanding the Cultural Significance
Before diving into the crafting process, it’s essential to understand the cultural importance of African masks. Masks have been used in African tribal ceremonies and they represent the spirits of their ancestors. They have many symbolic meanings, and are made of many different types of materials, such as leather, wood, fabric, and metal. These masks are not merely decorative items but are integral to the traditions and beliefs of various African tribes.
Masks come in many shapes, sizes, and forms. They are used to escape reality and to see life from a new or different perspective. Traditions have been passed down generations and the people have great respect for the land, their families, and their communities.
If you want to check out an excellent page on examples of masks from specific tribes, check out Arty Factory.
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Making a mask can help children understand different cultural ideas. An African mask history lesson can inspire kids to craft with their own hands.
Materials You’ll Need
- Drawing Paper
- Pencils
- Black Marker
- Crayons
- Plastic craft-store mask
- Plaster strips
- Gesso
- Acrylic paints and brushes
- Bowl of warm water
- Paper Plate
- Newspaper
- Water-based paint (tempera or poster paint)
- Colorful strips of crepe paper
- Colored pasta and beads
- Pipe cleaners
Creating a unique mask can be very low in cost to craft by just using recycled materials. They can be made with paper, cardboard and even clay.
Project Idea 1: Drawing a Tribal Mask
This project is perfect for introducing children to the art of tribal masks and can be completed in about 45 minutes.
Step-by-Step Tutorial
- Start with a simple U shape.
- Draw two eye shapes on the line.
- Add a brow line above the eyes.
- Draw a nose and mouth.
- Add two cheek shapes.
- Draw two ears.
- Add stripes on the forehead.
- Trace with a marker and color.
- Finish with hair shapes on top.
This mask drawing is just one possibility. Its very dramatic features can certainly be filled in with natural colors, or over-the-top bright ones like the example here.
Project Idea 2: Plaster Strip Mask
This project involves using plaster strips to create a textured, three-dimensional mask. It's a great way to explore different materials and add depth to your artwork.
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Creative Mark Plaster Cloth Rolls Visual Commerce #1
Directions:
- Cut the plaster into strips and pieces. Cutting them into strips about 2" wide, then cut those in half width-wise, this was the size we used most. 2"x2" squares are a good size, too. **Cut more pieces than you think you’ll need!**
- Dip the plaster strips into the water and ring them through your fingers to get rid of the excess water.
- Lay them over the mask, overlapping them and covering the whole mask with about two layers. We covered the eyes and mouth and nose holes. As you lay down a new strip, gently rub the edges onto the strip you are overlapping it onto. The more you smooth out the plaster strips with your fingers, the fewer of the little air hole-bumps will remain after it is dry.
- Manipulate the plaster strips to form ridges over the eyes for stylized, 3-dimensional eyebrows, or square off the tip of the nose- see African mask examples.
- Set it aside to dry- pop it off of the plastic mask after it’s set up for a little while. In damp weather this will take longer- up to a day or so. If the mask feels cold to the touch, this means it still has moisture in it. It must be fully dry to move on to the next step! If you wish, you can trim the edges of the mask with scissors to even it up.
- Paint two coats of gesso over the mask, letting it dry completely in between coats.
- Paint a base brown color over the mask, (we used Burnt Umber mixed with the teeniest dab of Parchment color (off-white)), then when it’s completely dry, dry-paint a cream color (We used the Parchment color again, but you can mix white with a tiny dab of the brown) in the middle area of the mask. Dry-painting is my completely made-up term for when you don’t mix the paint with water, and you use a smaller brush to brush on the paint, so it doesn’t sink into the holes of the mask.
Option 2: Paint the whole mask brown; let it dry, then paint geometric designs over it with the white/cream paint.
Don’t want to get all plastery? Try these pre-made masks from Dick Blick.
Project Idea 3: Paper Plate Mask
This is a simple and fun project using basic materials like paper plates and newspaper.
Steps:
- Start out with an 8½-inch or 10-inch paper plate.
- Take some strips of newspaper. Twist and form them into a mouth and nose shape. Glue them onto the plate.
- Paint your mask with a base color, which is typically brown, black, or white. Use a water-based paint like tempera or poster paint.
- Paint dots, lines, and patterns according to the African tribal mask you have in mind.
- Add hair. Use colorful strips of crepe paper or colored pasta and beads strung together. Fasten a pipe cleaner to each hole.
Project Idea 4: Mask Unit Project
This project is based on personal creativity and the ability to display your ideas in an artistic way.
Mask Creation Directions
- Pick a Theme for Mask ex/ Tribal Mask Replica, African Animal, General African Theme, Country Flag…you can honestly pick any “theme” you like…just tie it to Africa.
- Pick a Mask Base Material…Milk Jug! In all honesty, you can use any base structure!
- Plan before you Cut…make a basic blueprint for your creation before you start digging in.
- Gather decorations, paint, duct tape, glitter, glue, yarn, etc etc etc…what do you have around the house that could be used to decorate/create your African Mask. Get Creative!
- Go…create your mask & have a bit of fun with this!
- 3 - 5 Sentence Informative Paragraph describing your mask…what it it? Tell a story…maybe why you made it or what does it represent. REMINDER - theme it to some African Subject matter
- ALL Mask Write-Ups/Haikus must be artistically displayed on an 8X11 piece of art paper. This page must be uniquely decorated to reflect the theme of your mask!
Example materials might include…Wood, Plastic, Beads, Wire, Thread, Leaves, Hides/Skin, Hair, Teeth, Fur, Feathers, Shells, Seeds, Bells, Horns, Paint, Bones, Jewels, Metal, Straw, Mud, Sand, Lights, Ribbon, Cloth, Flowers, Wrapping Paper, Old Magazines, Felt, Rope/Yarn... the list is endless and many of these items are hiding around the house!!
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Inspiration from Modern Art
African masks have significantly influenced modern Western and European artists. Cubism, fauvism, and expressionism all show examples of African-influenced work.
Here are some examples:
- Amedeo Modigliani - Woman’s Head, 1912
- Pablo Picasso - Bust of a Man, 1908
- Paul Klee - Comedians’ Handbill, 1938
