Making a mask

We spent our last several lessons in making masks and bring it to life.
First Steve asked us to draw a design of our mask so we can make a clay design out of it. I first researched in the internet and in the commedia dell‘ arte book for picturs of Arlecchino, but more important for his character. I did it so I can decide what is necessary for Arlecchino to have and the best way I can introduce his character by the mask. I asked Steve about it, and he said that Arlecchino usually has a diamond on his chick. I tried to followe the picture shown above because I preferd the old style of the mask, and not the modern one.

After we made a clay design out of the mask, we had to cream wax on it and stick 3 layers of paper stripes. We did it so we can than draw and design our own design on the paper mask. That was the hardest part, because as I put more layers, the structure of the mask and its highlightings has been changed. After this stage, we had to wait for a couple of lessons, and than we started painting and designing the real mask.

I decided that I want a white mask because it is natural and clean, but it showed the wrinkles that have been created after sticking the stripes, so I decided to paint it in black. I paintes the chicks in a very strong red color and made highlightning at the eyebrows, so Arlecchino will look happy and safisticated in the same time. In the end, I added a diamond.

I hope that the way which I have designed the mask will help me to get into the character and get attached to it better.