Painting Techniques and Fabrication skills

Project to help learn some techniques: Mask Making!

Part of the first project you will be making will be a mask or two for students to use in Acting Class. Why should you learn to make masks first? Well - you can learn a lot of the basics in fabrication and design at the first project - use of different and variety of materials in addition to creating something that the students in Acting classes can potentially use. This will be a great basis for you to start - understand some of the basic art skills that are connected to this type of work which will lay a great foundation when you move into things like costume design, set design, lighting etc. There will be specific details that must be considered while designing a mask and you will learn the skills used to create and fabricate as part of Stagecraft class.

There will be 3 initial stages of the mask making project:

1) Design and Theory

2) Simple Character Mask built on a template

3) Abstract Mask design - using construction techniques & imagination with unusual supplies

The concepts included in this process will include:

Designing and explaining the design through drawings- details and different views
Prepping and preparing surfaces for painting - priming/release agent
Paper mache - (while you might think you know this- you will learn new techniques that use less paper and stronger form - dry mache, pulp mache & Cloth mache)
Painting skills - tools & Colour mixing theory - how do I mix brown? How do I not waste paint?
Wearability - how does this fit on the head - too heavy? how to adjust- what is necessary to add for comfort of the actor? Visual ability? Fragility?
Cutting techniques using knives/scissors/blades & safety
Glueing and use of tape adhere items together - understanding what glue will work and what will not
Visual cleanliness - functionability - eye catching design for stage
Use of materials - cardboard, paper, foam, unique items
Scoring, bending, folding