Moulding for the mask...

After the comments received from tutor and steering group and the fact that they both thought I could do better with my design I thought about scrapping the hat and making a mask which is more suited to the gloopy/scary sea monster idea I wanted to create because actually I know that the small eye mask wasn't the best idea and I was thinking too simply... I have decided to change this and make a mask which has been more inspired by my research as there are many artists I have looked at (images in sketchbook) who have used tentacles as an influence...

I started off by using clay to create a mould of the mask initially by sculpting the clay on top of a clay face. I got some advice from a make up tutor about the best way to do it and tips about making it okay to use in the vac form machine.

Above is the first test of using the vac form machine and plastic. I put the clay into the machine, it got sqaushed slightly so i knew that for the final design for the mask I will have to create a plaster mould so that it would be strong enough to vac form 31 masks.... I think this mask is quite a successful first attempt however, I wanted the head to be a lot more purtruding so it will look more monster like rather than just fitting onto the face, I want it to be coming above the forehead.



Below is the clay sculpture of the next stage of the mask with the pertruding head making it look more monster like and strange. I am going to try it out with all different types of plastic and materials to see which one works, however, think I might stick to the plastic as I know its a safe option and have found a good place to get a good price on the green HIPS plastic.



I already feel that I am learning more about my practical techniques as I have not worked with clay before and am really enjoying the experimentation side of it and finding solutions to various problems...