Monday, September 7, 2009

Squirrel Mask Positive Mold: Newsprint, Coffee Filters, and Wood Glue Paper Mache

After reviewing the potential undercuts on the plasticine model of the squirrel mask, I decided that the ears were going to to cause more hassle than I wanted for this particular mask. Instead of creating a negative plaster mold, I have opted for using the plasticine as a positive mold. I am using a layering paper mache technique with newsprint, unbleached coffee filters, and wood glue (TiteBond II).

The first time I read of using newsprint and coffee filters was about a year ago on the puptcrit mailing list from an avid contributor whose blog you can find here: Creaturiste's Laboratory. Mathieu (a.k.a. Creaturiste) is an advocate of paper mache for puppet and mask construction. And rightfully so! With proper techniques, supplies, time and patience, it is possible to create durable works of art that have lasting potential equal to or greater than other materials.

Starting with a layer of wet newsprint torn into small pieces, I am able to create a protective cover for the clay or plaster mold.

Squirrel Mask Newsprint Layer


There is no glue involved in the first layer except for at the end. I soak the newsprint strips in water and then apply them to the clay mold. For detailed sections, I tear the strips even smaller.

Squirrel Mask Newsprint Layer


Once the entire mold is covered, I carefully apply a light coat of glue diluted with water to connect and seal this newsprint layer. The reason I use newsprint instead of coffee filters for this layer is that if I were to use coffee filters, the glue may very well soak through to the mold and adhere to the surface. The newsprint forms a thick enough barrier for this not to happen but is still thin enough to produce good detail.

Squirrel Mask Newsprint Layer


Allowing the newsprint and glue to fully dry before apply coffee filters allows the layer proper time so as not to warp or deform. I have not tried skipping this step as I usually have plenty other tasks to attend to that I have no need to jump directly to applying the next layer.

Up next will be the application of unbleached coffee filters and glue which is a very time consuming process with a larger mask such as this one.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Squirrel model nearly finished

The squirrel clay model is nearly finished. Just a few touches and it will be ready for casting. This one will be cast in plaster and I will use the negative mold to form the mask out of paper and glue. If it turns out well, I may eventually try casting another squirrel mask in neoprene but for now I do not have enough liquid neoprene to fill the mold.

Squirrel Mask in Plastaline

Again, why a squirrel? I have never given much attention to them in the past other than to watch them sneak food out of bird feeders and such. They do seem rather clever creatures. I have been watching them more now that my girlfriend and I have a a new dog in our family. Opal, the dog, is very fascinated by the countless squirrels in our neighborhood. She has brought it to my attention that the squirrel offers a bit of a link between the world that I currently inhabit and one I wish to surround myself with in the future. The squirrel as urban dweller, living amongst humans and traffic, has its counterpart; the rural or woodland squirrel.

This squirrel mask being the first in this series of forty-eight masks also demarcates a conscious move toward my goals. The dream in its current form is to one day, in the relatively near future, have a backyard that resembles the realm of the rural squirrel where I may construct my art studio and make so many more masks (that is a lot of "m"s).

Of course, I realize the challenges of urban life will only be replaced by those of the forest and so is the case for squirrels according to The Squirrel Place:
"Urban squirrels tend to have a smaller territory, they sometimes have to share resources to survive. They also have learned, to coexist with humans. While rural squirrels are more protective of their territory, and they have more natural predators to deal with."
Sorry to the rural squirrels, for one day Opal may be one of those "natural" predators. Luckily she is a little too noisy and bounds to playfully toward the urban squirrels to cause more than a nuisance. Personally, in my anthropomorphic opinion, I think the squirrels have fun tormenting the dogs in this neighborhood anyway.

Returning to mask discussion, my plan is to begin with plaster tomorrow. More photos to follow soon!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Day One

Today marks the start of a personal challenge. Over the next six months I will create forty-eight masks with full documentation of the process recorded here. Once complete, I will have a body of work for my portfolio and future exhibits as well as a few new followers of this blog. My hope is that my web presence will expose some of the reasons why I create what I do as well as share the techniques I practice (and all the new lessons that will arise from this project) with others. Beyond mask making, this blog will investigate fascinations with the human and non-human face.

The mask I am working on today is a full-head squirrel mask. Why a squirrel? Because our recently adopted six-year old dog, Opal, loves them. More reasoning behind this mask will come as the process continues.


This photo shows the beginning stages of the sculpture in plastaline. I am currently working with the sulfur-free Le Beau Touché by Chavant. I rarely make silicone molds so the reason I like sulfur-free plastaline is because it does not have the lingering smell that I both love and hate (maybe love is a little strong, but it does make me think of happy sculpting times). That and I wonder what potentially damaging results come from sulfur either health wise or environmentally. I have heard it can effect electronic equipment but have not reviewed any studies on this. Anyone have links to facts on how non-toxic the sulfur in oil-based clay really is or is not?

Look for more on the squirrel and other masks very soon.