Mask Workshop

Leather mask workshop: 11 - 20 June 1999

Day 3

Movies require Quicktime

Break plaster mask positive from negative cast using hammer and table knife. Square mould top to bottom and side to side. Remove all edges to the vertical.

Build plaster plinth to hold mould so the high points top to bottom and side to side are horizontal.

Using calipers and two large plastic set squares, measure and record the overall length, breadth and depth of the mould. Transfer these measurements to a laminated hoop pine block, and cut the block to size. The block is made of three 12 inch by 3 inch by 12 inch pieces of hoop pine laminated together using PVA glue and C clamps.

Make sure that the grain of the block runs from the top to the bottom of the mask. measure and mark the centreline on the plaster mask mould and on the wooden block.

From the base of the mask measure the distance to the mouth, and mouth to the tip of the nose. Starting from the tip of the nose transfer the measurements to the wooden block. Draw in the profiles and plan view of the mask on the block.

From above identify the high and the low points of the mask. Carefully identify the centre of the eyes, the eyebrows, the nose, the cheekbones, sides of the nose etc. Measure the depth of these points using the setsquares and transfer these points and depths to the wooden block. Mark on both the plaster and wooden moulds.

Still using the set squares measure the deep points on the plaster model and indicate the depths of these on the same points on the wooden block. These will be drilled to indicate when the right depth has been reached during carving. Do this for the centre of the eyes, cheeks, nose, forehead and other variations.

View a quicktime montage of work on Day 3.

View a quicktime montage of work on Day 3.

Listen to quicktime audio of Bill Blaikie reading from the "Divine Comedy'.

Send feedback to:

Bill Blaikie
Workshop organiser
Coordinator BA Communication Theatre / Media
Charles Sturt University

Paolo Consiglio's website can be visited at: www.webitaly.com/personae/welcome.html

Break plaster mask positive from negative cast using hammer and table knife. Square mould top to bottom and side to side. Remove all edges to the vertical.
Build plaster plinth to hold mould so the high points top to bottom and side to side are horizontal.
Using calipers and two large plastic set squares, measure and record the overall length, breadth and depth of the mould. Transfer these measurements to a laminated hoop pine block, and cut the block to size. The block is made of three 12 inch by 3 inch by 12 inch pieces of hoop pine laminated together using PVA glue and C clamps.
Make sure that the grain of the block runs from the top to the bottom of the mask. measure and mark the centreline on the plaster mask mould and on the wooden block.
From the base of the mask measure the distance to the mouth, and mouth to the tip of the nose. Starting from the tip of the nose transfer the measurements to the wooden block. Draw in the profiles and plan view of the mask on the block.
From above identify the high and the low points of the mask. Carefully identify the centre of the eyes, the eyebrows, the nose, the cheekbones, sides of the nose etc. Measure the depth of these points using the setsquares and transfer these points and depths to the wooden block. Mark on both the plaster and wooden moulds.
Still using the set squares measure the deep points on the plaster model and indicate the depths of these on the same points on the wooden block. These will be drilled to indicate when the right depth has been reached during carving. Do this for the centre of the eyes, cheeks, nose, forehead and other variations.
View a quicktime montage of work on Day 3.
View a quicktime montage of work on Day 3.
Listen to quicktime audio of Bill Blaikie reading from the "Divine Comedy'.