Creating an African mask can be a fascinating and educational project. It allows you to explore different cultural ideas and artistic traditions. This tutorial will guide you through the process of making your own African mask using paper mache, offering a cost-effective and simple way to create a unique piece of art.
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My model was a mask from the Ivory Coast that was created over 100 years ago. I was captivated by the simplicity of the original mask, and by the way the artist added just a hint of character with a slightly crooked smile. Do a Google image search for “African Mask Dan” to see masks that are similar to the one I chose for my model.
Making a mask can help children understand different cultural ideas. An African mask history lesson can inspire kids to craft with their own hands. 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.
Allow children to brainstorm their own imaginative mask. Have them create their own idea for a mask, it can be connected to their own heritage, theatrical mask, masquerade mask, or any ideas about a mask design. Resist using simple 2D designs with just markers and crayons. Give kids the opportunity to construct with different materials. Try to create a 3D depth texture using different items.
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Below you’ll find an easy step-by-step tutorial for how to draw a Tribal Mask and a Tribal Mask Coloring Page. The fun part about studying tribal masks is learning just how many different looks there are, spread across many different ages and cultures. Even just a quick google search will show you what I mean.
The one thing the masks all seem to have in common though is that they have simple, exaggerated features made in big and bold ways. Colors too are all chosen to get the most attention, so you can understand why they might be so much fun for kids to draw.
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.
Materials:
- Drawing Paper
- Pencils
- Black Marker
- Crayons
Time needed: 45 minutes
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How to Draw a Tribal Mask
- 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.
Making an African Mask with Paper Mache
Make a paper mache mask with four layers of paper strips and paste. Note: For this project I used Elmer’s Art Paste - but that product is no longer being sold. However, you can use any paste recipe to make a mask or sculpture over wet clay, and this technique even works with paper mache clay. Just make sure you use the plastic over the sculpture before adding your paper mache.
I used my WED clay (a wet clay), because I had some and I like using it. It worked for this particular African mask because there were simple shapes and I could isolate the clay from the paper mache with a film of plastic.
It would be easier to use some oil-based modeling clay, like the Sargent’s Plastilina that I used for my Halloween portrait mask. The oil-based clay stays soft, so it’s easier to get it out of the dried paper mache.
To sculpt my model, I put the clay over my mannequin, but a simple form made with crumpled foil or paper and masking tape would work just as well. The one problem with using a commercial form or mannequin is the nose - this particular mask has a very narrow nose, but mine is wider because of the hard plastic nose under the clay.
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Because I was using wet clay, I needed to cover it before adding the paper mache. I use plastic wrap that I stole from the kitchen. If you make your form with an oil based clay, you don’t need the plastic.
I used four layers of torn paper strips, held on with the Elmer’s Art Paste. I wanted the brown paper to show on the final mask, so I needed a paste that dries clear. You could also use a cooked flour and water paste, because it’s clear after it dries.
I started with newspaper for the first layer, and let it dry. Then I added brown paper that came with a package from Amazon.com. You need to do this carefully, and be sure to wait until the paper mache is entirely dry, all the way through. If you try to remove the paper mache too soon, you could ruin your mask.
I used clear gesso to seal the paper mache, to make sure my acrylic paint would go on evenly. Sometimes the paper mache will absorb paint more in one area than another, and you end up with a blotchy finish.
I wanted my paper mache African mask to look like it was made with a warm dark wood. I mixed:
- Burnt umber
- Ultramarine blue
- Copper craft paint (not needed)
- Golden Acrylic Glazing Liquid
I don’t think the copper made much difference, although it may have given the brown a reddish tint. I’ve had this set of metallic colored wax for 20 years or more, and rarely get a chance to use them. I have fun with them when I do have a good excuse, and this seemed like as good an excuse as any.
One of my reasons for chosing this project was to try out the Elmer’s Art Paste that I told you about in my last post. After that post I got a lot of questions about the paste, especially on my YouTube channel. In this video I answered the two most common questions, and my answers are …
Can you sand it? Yes.
Can you use the Elmer’s Art Paste as a substitute for the white glue in my paper mache clay recipe? No, sorry. It doesn’t dry hard and strong like paper mache clay should - in fact, you’d have the same result if you just used water instead of glue.
I think a project like this would be perfect for a Middle School or High School class, especially if the artwork as combined with a creative writing, history or social studies class.
Маски тропической Африки
While I was sculpting this mask I couldn’t help but wonder what the original artist’s life was like. It made me want to know more about the Dan culture of West Africa, and the other artistic traditions of the area. A project like this can make learning fun.
Creating Batik-Inspired African Masks
Batik is a traditional textile method used in Africa and parts of Asia that involves using hot wax to create designs on fabric. The fabric is then dyed in stages, with the wax serving to protect the parts of the fabric that it covers.
For these mask designs, we used Crayons on Brown Kraft paper for our “wax”, and black India Ink as our “dye”. The designs of our masks were created after looking at photographs and discussing the artistic styles of actual West African masks. The important qualities of symmetry, abstraction, exaggeration, and repetition were discussed and the students were encouraged to incorporate some of these elements into their mask design as they found inspiration in the pictures.
As a final touch, students were taught how to create a “wrap stitch” and had the option of adding feather and bead designs into their sewed borders.
Interested in doing this lesson with your students? We began this lesson by looking at some printed photos of African masks. I asked the students to work in groups to sort the pictures into two groups, but I didn’t tell them HOW to sort them.
This video gives a great 2 minute overview of African masks and their influence on Western Art. This video is an interesting exploration of the evolution of African art, focusing on how spiritual and traditional art-making practices have evolved to reflect economic demand and the tourist trade.
I wanted my students to understand that while African masks ARE still used in cultural celebrations, they have morphed from being created solely for spiritual purposes to being produced as commercial commodities.
IMPORTANT NOTE: at 7 minutes and 15 seconds, the video includes a section on Sarah Baartman, known as the “Hottentot Venus”, and is probably best skipped if your students are middle schoolers!
Steps for Batik-Inspired Masks:
- Students sketched a unique mask design on white paper, then enlarged their design on brown Kraft paper. They were encouraged to draw inspiration from the actual masks, but were permitted to mix and match elements.
- The background was divided into sections using lines and/or symbols to complete the design. (I print out examples of traditional Adinkra Cloth for the symbol references.) It is important during this step that the students’ designs are BIG and SIMPLE.
- Next the students go over all their lines with a heavy, thick layer of white crayon. (They will very quickly discover why I discouraged small details!) I always demonstrate an effective technique of working with a back-and-forth motion as you move slowly across a line, thereby depositing several layers of crayon by the time you’ve completed a segment.
- After the white crayon outlines, students use colored crayons to fill in everything else. Again, heavy, thick layers work best!
Here’s a student all ready to ink. She has used both coloring techniques!
Now comes the fun part, INKING! OK, -I have tried this a zillion different ways to do this with different inks and different papers. In terms of paper, Brown Kraft paper, (or brown paper grocery bags,) work best. Speedball brand India ink is FAR superior to Higgins in terms of density and opacity. One quart got me through 100 batiks!
Inking Process:
- First, wet the piece under running water, front and back, (or immerse it quickly in a tray of water,) and then crumple it into a tight ball, squeezing all excess water out, ONCE.
- Then, CAREFULLY, open it up, being careful not to rip the edges as you un-crumple the piece.
- Use black India ink to generously ink a JUST THE BACK of the piece. Be careful to brush outwards as you ink the edges so as to not get any ink on the front of the piece.
- When inking is complete, transfer the whole piece, on the newspaper, to your drying rack. NO RINSING OR WASHING!
The last part of this project involves sewing a simple wrap stitch around the edges of the batik. We use yarn, plastic pony beads and large tapestry needles for this step. Before sewing they must apply strips of masking tape around the edges of the back of the piece. This prevents the paper from ripping and tearing when we sew. Some students also draw dots as a guideline for their stitch spacing, but most students just “eyeball” it.
My students love the effect of the ink on the paper and how the finished pieces really have a cloth-like feel. They were very proud of their finished African Mask Batiks!
Additional Mask-Making Techniques
I had such a wonderful time teaching the history of African Mask recently at The Center For The Arts Museum in preparation for their exhibition: The History of Hair Story, 4000 Years Without a Comb. I do want to confront any misconceptions this is cultural appropriation. Masks have been around in art history for centuries and used for many reasons.Step-by-Step Guide: Creating a Cardboard African Mask
Today I will show you, How to make African tribal mask, easy , cost -effective & simple way for room decoration.
Material:
- Cardboard
- PVA glue
- Aluminium foil
- Black Matte spray
- Red,Brown oil Paint
- feather
- acrylic different colors for feather
- Stone
Step 1: Preparation of Mask
For the making of mask i drew sketch on paper then convert it on cardboard .Cut the required shape ,now spray water on cardboard mask . For the curved shape i dry the wet mask with hair dryer. I used aluminium foil & PVA glue to cover the mask.Now paste the eye brows , nose , lips & ears .For the smooth surface i used weather coat ,primer & glue . Apply thin layer on surface of mask .After drying you have to used sand paper for smoothness.
Step 2: Aluminium Silver Sheet
I used aluminium silver sheet , take the size on paper & draw the design on paper. Now convert the design on aluminium sheet with the embossed tools. I have many times told the techniques on my other videos, you may check those videos if you liked to embossed any thing .Paste these pieces on mask with the help of rubber adhesive.
Step 3: Coloring
I used black matte spray color on mask .After drying it now i applied red & brown oil paint for enhancing the eyes.Now apply dark brown oil paint on aluminium pieces . Rub the execs color with sponge.
Step 4: Coloring on Feather & Final Touch
I used acrylic color for coloring on feather .Now fixed feather on upper part. Take wooden ear rings for the ears . Artificial stone for beauty . Now my project is ready for decoration .
Step 5: Finial Pics
Here is few finial pics of my beautiful mask.
