Masks with funny features!

For children 4 to 6 years old.

Using the technique of Papier–mâché.

What about we create a mask with funny and huge features? It could have big ears or a big nose, huge lips or a big tongue. It could even include a unicorn horn.

Notice the head and neck of the marble figurine (ca. 3200-2800 BC). What do you see? Is it a whole person? Is it a man or a woman? Are the woman’s features realistic? Observe her neck. Is it perhaps too long, much longer than a real neck? Why did the artist do that? Oftentimes, artists want to emphasize a specific feature, either because they find it beautiful or funny or unusual.

The same was the case with masks. Many masks had features larger than normal to evoke laughter or fear.

MATERIALS:

Newspapers cut into strips
White liquid glue in a cup
A mask or a balloon
Tempera
Palette
Paintbrush,
A cup filled with water
Cloth

PROCESS:

Tear a few sheets of newspaper into strips of 2-3 cm.
Dilute the glue in a cup. Try to fill the cup with glue up to two fingers height.
Dip a newspaper strip in the cup and cover it with glue.
Lift the strip and remove any excess glue with your two fingers. The helper will show the child how to do it the first time around.
Place the strip on the mask.
Do the same with the remaining strips until the whole mask is covered.
To add extra features, dip the strip back into the glue and shape it as you like.
You can roll it up and shape it into a hair curl.
You can mold it into a giant ear or a huge nose.
You can make it into the shape of a worm and use it for the lips or the tongue.
Allow the mask to dry for 2-5 hours.
Now is the time to paint it.
Use the palette, the paints, the brushes, the cup of water and the cloth, and let your imagination guide you!
It’s Carnival time!

Design: Despoina Sakellariou, Video: Efthimis Theodossis, Motion Graphics: Efi Siafa, Music: “Happy Cooking Hip-Hop Kids” by Infraction. Special thanks to Aliki.