Description:
In this class we will start with a pre-painted or blank latex mask and go through the steps week by week to create a high quality mask with which you can impress your friends and family. The focus will be on the horror / sci-fi genre but equally bring your imagination to the class too.
Week 1: Concept and design
We will identify exactly what the story is behind your mask and in turn we will decide the colour scheme. It is important to be clear about the story your mask is telling to accurately choose your colours.
Week 2: Preparing and building
We will talk about the steps needed to prepare your mask for paint. We will then look at the blank canvas and discuss the steps needed to add/ subtract certain elements that could create the portrait you desire.
Week 3: Base coating
We use our primary colour to entirely cover the mask, except for specific areas, for example eyes if the mask has sculpted eyes.
Week 4: Beginning detail
We take our base mask and start our detailing process – starting with the dry brush technique.
Week 5: Advanced detailing
We will look at more advanced detailing techniques to highlight areas on our sculpted masks, using techniques like washes and layering.
Week 6: Begin finishing
We will decide where we need to seal areas to give them different effects and finishes using materials like liquitex.
Week 7: Final finishes
We will complete the last of the steps to complete your mask’s look and discuss how these materials work, materials like our two-part liquid epoxy.
Week 8: Final display, fitting your mask and costume, and taking photographs.
We will discuss your final result, see how our mask fits and what we can do to correct the fit so it is fitted to any model that may be wearing it. We will compare it to your beginning mask and finally add a costume to complete your look.
Materials list:
Latex mask, styrofoam head, acrylic paints (any brand), liquid latex, paint brushes, paint pots for mixing paint, empty pot for water to rinse brushes, kitchen roll to dry brushes. As a mask progresses it may need additional supplies and this will be discussed on a case-by-case basis. These materials can all be purchased online from retailers such as arachnidfx.com, artmaterials.ie, artnhobby.ie, and amazon.co.uk
Aaron Lockhart has been working in theatre and film for over 17 years. He has a Masters in theatre practice from UCD, focusing on the Grand Guignol: The Theatre of Horror. While working in this field Aaron has acquired the skill to paint and customise items including masks to give productions a more professional look on a smaller budget. He has experience in mask creation and customisation, resin prop making, and foam work.
