Week 3 : September 20, 2021
During the past week, I have experimented with armatures and plaster for my mask.
The three pictures were taken when I made mask armatures out of paper. The process was simple, since I had to cut, fold, and tape the pieces on the templates. However, the results were not sturdy and anatomically correct. After having built the two paper armatures, I have come to the conclusion that they will not work well with my mask’s design.
This picture shows a finger made out of plaster, which I made by wrapping small plaster strips around my finger while applying water. The process was time consuming, since the water had to dry before taking the plaster off, and the final result was fragile. In the end, the material was interesting to use, but I find it to risky to use for my mask.
My goals for the week were to finish my mask’s design, to experiment with materials, and to gather all the materials needed for my mask. I exceeded my expectations since I accomplished all my goals and I also started on the first layer of my mask! I used the information I gathered from testing out the different materials to realize that papier mâché would work out the best. I ended up using cellu-clay for the first time instead, and I applied it on a store-bought mask armature for my first layer. I have all my materials (a mask for the armature, a plastic dome and fake eyelashes for the eye, and a watch for the clock) ready for me to work with when completing my mask. I would not change anything about the past week because of my fast-paced progress.
My goals for this week are to add another layer to my mask and to finish the writing on my slide in the collaborative PowerPoint.
Week 4 : September 27, 2021
During this week, I have made started to make a clay mask and I have continued to work on my main mask.
So far, I have finished structuring most of the face’s shape and I have only need to smooth it out and add details. This was my first time making a sculpture solely focusing on a face and I have learnt new techniques involving clay and anatomy. I know know how important it is to have the armature and clay covered in moist paper towels when storing it in order for it not to dry out, and I also realized the similarities between drawing an sculpting with anatomy.
My main mask has had steady progress since I have already finished my design, gathered all the materials, made the first layer, and started working on the chain and gears. I can now start on the second layer and cleaning up the cracked edges. After trying it out, I realized that the mask needs to be a little bit smaller and that I need to start building up the nose and lip details for the painting stage.
These pictures show my progress on the chain detail of my mask. I bought a chain from Home Depot and used spray paint to give it a brass colour. This will help me achieve the steam punk style that is mixed with the venetian base of my mask.
My goals for the week were to add another layer to my mask and to finish the writing on my slide in the collaborative PowerPoint. Since I was too busy working on the clay mask, I was not able to add a second layer, but I have still made progress with the chain and details. I have also presented the collaborative PowerPoint about my mask inspiration and finished its writing.
My goal for this week is to finish sculpting my clay mask and to add a second layer to my main one.
Week 5 : October 4th, 2021
During this week, I have finished sculpting my clay mask, I have added two more layers to my main mask, and I made my personal definition for art.
I finished adding eyebrows and cheekbones as well as refining the lips on my clay mask. I used the scoring technique when attaching pieces like the eyebrows and I used a tool to smooth out their edges and too add detail. I finished it off by smoothing out all the small cracks with water and cutting off the excess. Now, all that is left to do is to bake and paint it.
I added two layers to my cellu-clay mask, one for smoothing out the base, add support, and to prevent chipping, and the other to add lips, a chin, and to adjusting the eye. In order to finish the base, I need to refine the nose and to sand out the surface for a smoother base for paint.
Today’s activity (Monday October 4th) was to define art. We could apply our personal perspective as well as different art forms.
My goals for the week were to finish sculpting my clay mask and to add another layer to my main mask. I have completed my first goal, since I now only need to bake and paint my clay mask. I exceeded meeting my second goal because I have added 2 layers instead of one, which means I have made most of the facial features on my mask and that I can finish my base by the end of this week.
My goals for this week are to finish the base of my main mask and to paint my clay mask.
Week 6 : October 12th, 2021
During this week, I have painted my fired clay mask, painted most of my main mask, and I started making a gear as an accessory for my mask.
I painted the cheeks, eyeliner, and lips. I also attempted to paint cracks but I will make them again in a more realistic style. Other than the cracks, I only need to paint the eye.
I made a gear out of cardboard and painted it to have more depth and a metallic look. I made the bumps and the line in the middle with a glue gun. I will need to add another layer of gold and copper colour to the gear to make it look more metallic.
I painted a base and details on my clay mask. It was challenging to paint it since the colours were limited and it was my first time working with the media. I had to mix paints to achieve the colours I wanted and they would change when the paint dried.
My goals for the week were to finish the base of my main mask and to paint my clay mask. I exceeded my first goal, since I already started working on the gear of my mask and I have almost finished painting everything. I have also painted my clay mask, meeting my second goal.
My goals for this week are to finish my making mini clay mask, finish the gear, and to repaint the cracks.
Week 7 : October 19th, 2021
During this week, I have finished making the gear, repainted the cracks on my main mask, and I have glazed my clay mask.
I have repainted the cracks by using brown and black to add more depth any by watering down the paint. Watering down the paint, using a thinner brush, and turning the brush while maing strokes helped me achieve a more realistic look with more detail. I also started painting the eye by adding highlights and the pupil. In order to paint on the clear dome I have made, I need to work backwards and paint over the things I did last.
I finished the gear by adding gold and bornze paint to the parts I wanted to make pop the most and by finishing it with gold dust. Now I have all the materials I need to add on the mask other than the frame of the clock.
My goals for the week were to finish making my mini clay mask, finish the gear, and to repaint the cracks. I have met all my goals and I have even started on painting the eye, so I am ahead of what I thought I would complete.
My goals for this week are to finish my mini clay mask, and to paint the eye on my main mask.
Week 8 : October 26th, 2021
During this week, I have finished making the eye, finished my clay mask, and glued on the gears and earings to my main mask.
I painted the iris and the white of the eye working on a layer each day while letting it dry t night. I also glued on eyelashes and trimmed them to make it look more even and doll like. Finally, I glued on the gears and earings by layering them to create depth.
The outcome of my mask was suprizing, since the underglaze’s colur changed a lot in the kiln. Making this clay mask was a good experience since I focused on sculpting a face and I used underglaze and glaze for the first time.
My goals for the week were to finish my mini clay mask, and to paint the eye on my main mask. I completed all my goals and went beyond expectations by gluing the gears and eyelashes to the mask.
My goals for this final week is to finish my mask.
Week 9 : November 2nd, 2021
During this week, finished making my mask and photographed it.
Link to post with artist statenent and more pictures
I finished making my mask by making a frame for the clock and by gluing on the chains. I made the frame out of coarboard and I painted it in the same way that I painted the gear. I had to take apart the watch and to incase it with a different frame in order for it to be thinner and in a steampunk style. I then glued on the small copper chains under the gears and glued the big spray painted chain on the edge of my mask.
I first photographed the mask by itself to get all its details in even lighting. Afterwards, Angelina Sharma photographed it as I modeled it with face paint. Angelina added more depth to the picture by adjusting the lighting and backdrop, making the picture more sinister.
I used facepaint on the exposed part of my face to accentuate the fatigue the mask is trying to conceal. I used black, brown, purple, and red face paint to exagerate features making my face look sickly and exhausted. I also rested my face and dropped my eyelids to achieve a sleepy look. The hand on the side of my mask is holding it up in a elegant way while the hand on the side of my face is clawing at it, giving the empression of hating on the real side.
After having finished this project, I have learnt more about art and myself. I can now visually see how bad my sleep-deprivation is mentaly and physicaly to some extent. I have also learnt how to use new materials, including cellu-clay, while completing the mask.
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