Masks

Its been a while since my last post, because i have not made anything in a while.

I have however, fallen a little in love with Leather work, after looking at the very talented Tom Banwells work my methods and inspiration is all credited to this man!

I wanted to start out with something simple, and after practicing a lot with some thin inexpensive leather, it was on to the more expensive stuff.
I started by making a Cast of my face, this was very painful, becouse i did not use enough Vaseline in my hairline and beard, so first lesson; lots of Vaseline (great life advise in general)

I then filled the cast with modeling plaster, however i ran short of the plaster, and so i was forced to model a free hand base of the back of my face using clay.

This is my base for my mask designs, it gives my something to work from, and lets my easily get a overlook, as to where eyes and th mask line is gonna be.

I then use Decoration clay to mold my mask, this is very inexpensive, and works very good (i think)

My design for this mask was very simple, i didn't want to make an elaborate design, if it turned out that my modeling technique didn't work.

I then wanted to cover my molding with Masking tape, however it could not stick to the clay. Luckily, i had some cast left, an instead of covering my mold with masking tape, i casted it instead.


After the cast set, i drawed on to it, where i wanted my stitchings, and then gently peeled it of the clay. The clay hadn't dried out, so i bag it and hopefully will be able to recycle it (inexpensive!)

I then cut the cast out into the patterns i had drawn.

I actually only use half of my mold (the three part on the left) the top part i drew on to a pierce of paper, reversed, and drew in extention, so the forehead piece is one big piece. this insures symetry (if i had just cut the entire forehead piece of, the mold might have been crooked in the left side, making the final mask crooked. I also only use the left half of the bottom piece, and mirrored it at the middle, instead of using the triangle piece as is lays on the picture.

Then i first cut out the pieces in paper, to make sure the pieces fitted. then in my very thick expensive leather; i stitched them together and Viola:




The straps are measured in free hand, and again highly inspired by Mr. Banwells work.

Now all i need to figure out is what to do with the eyes, and if i need to color it.

If you like Leather masks, i highly suggest that you visit either Banwells Blogspot site http://tombanwell.blogspot.com/ - or his Etsy site, where he sells all his amazing work: Etsy Site