You will need an oil based clay to sculpt the mask. [1] X Research source You will also need a form to sculpt your mask on top of such as a Styrofoam mannequin head. [2] X Research source You will need a material called industrial gypsum in order to make a mold of the sculpture. [3] X Research source You will need some burlap to make your mold 3-D. Select a good quality brand of liquid latex for your mask. You will need a casting latex specifically formulated for mask making, called RD-407. [4] X Research source You can also purchase paints or decorations such as fake fur, sequins, or feathers to put on the mask. This will depend on what final look you are hoping to achieve.
The clay should be very pliable and warm, but not hot to the touch. Do not allow the clay to liquify.
Attach the head with duct tape until it is secure.
You can use your hands, sculpting tools, or tools from around the house (like a butter knife or putty knife) to sculpt details including skin textures and exaggerated features. Smooth the surface of the clay with lighter fluid and a small flat paint brush. When you are satisfied with your creation, move on to the next step. It may take you several hours or even days to create the look you are going for.
Your mold will be a reversed 3-D copy of the sculpture you made in the previous step.
This wall will create a separation for a two piece mold. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/1/1a/Make-Halloween-Masks-Step-6Bullet1. jpg/v4-460px-Make-Halloween-Masks-Step-6Bullet1. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/1/1a/Make-Halloween-Masks-Step-6Bullet1. jpg/aid697826-v4-728px-Make-Halloween-Masks-Step-6Bullet1. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">
\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc.
All rights reserved.
wikiHow, Inc.
is the copyright holder of this image under U.
S.
and international copyright laws.
This image is not</b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website.
This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n</p>
<br />\n</p></div>"} Mix the plaster in a plastic bucket, and spread an even coat of plaster over clay sculpture, making sure to get plaster into all the recesses of the sculpture. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/5/55/Make-Halloween-Masks-Step-6Bullet2. jpg/v4-460px-Make-Halloween-Masks-Step-6Bullet2. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/5/55/Make-Halloween-Masks-Step-6Bullet2. jpg/aid697826-v4-728px-Make-Halloween-Masks-Step-6Bullet2. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">
\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc.
All rights reserved.
wikiHow, Inc.
is the copyright holder of this image under U.
S.
and international copyright laws.
This image is not</b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website.
This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n</p>
<br />\n</p></div>"}
After the plaster is set, remove the clay wall. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/a/a9/Make-Halloween-Masks-Step-7Bullet1. jpg/v4-460px-Make-Halloween-Masks-Step-7Bullet1. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/a/a9/Make-Halloween-Masks-Step-7Bullet1. jpg/aid697826-v4-728px-Make-Halloween-Masks-Step-7Bullet1. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">
\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc.
All rights reserved.
wikiHow, Inc.
is the copyright holder of this image under U.
S.
and international copyright laws.
This image is not</b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website.
This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n</p>
<br />\n</p></div>"}
After the paint dries, create the second half of the mold in the same way as the first. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/d/d8/Make-Halloween-Masks-Step-8Bullet1. jpg/v4-460px-Make-Halloween-Masks-Step-8Bullet1. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/d/d8/Make-Halloween-Masks-Step-8Bullet1. jpg/aid697826-v4-728px-Make-Halloween-Masks-Step-8Bullet1. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">
\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc.
All rights reserved.
wikiHow, Inc.
is the copyright holder of this image under U.
S.
and international copyright laws.
This image is not</b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website.
This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n</p>
<br />\n</p></div>"} When the second half of the mold is set, slowly pry the two halves apart. Use a butter knife, working very carefully along the visible seam made by the acrylic paint so you do not crack your mold. Once the two halves are separated, remove the clay and the Styrofoam head. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/8/8d/Make-Halloween-Masks-Step-8Bullet2. jpg/v4-460px-Make-Halloween-Masks-Step-8Bullet2. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/8/8d/Make-Halloween-Masks-Step-8Bullet2. jpg/aid697826-v4-728px-Make-Halloween-Masks-Step-8Bullet2. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">
\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc.
All rights reserved.
wikiHow, Inc.
is the copyright holder of this image under U.
S.
and international copyright laws.
This image is not</b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website.
This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n</p>
<br />\n</p></div>"}
A small brush may help you work the latex into deeper parts of your mold.
Rotate the mold 90 degrees every 5 minutes, so that the latex is evenly distributed to the back, front, and sides of the mold. This will help prevent the latex from pooling up, and becoming too thick in one spot. A hair dryer on the lowest heat setting aimed inside of the mold will speed up the drying process. With a hair dryer, it should only take an hour or so for the layer to dry. Repeat this process until you have built up at least six layers. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/e/e5/Make-Halloween-Masks-Step-10Bullet4. jpg/v4-460px-Make-Halloween-Masks-Step-10Bullet4. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/e/e5/Make-Halloween-Masks-Step-10Bullet4. jpg/aid697826-v4-728px-Make-Halloween-Masks-Step-10Bullet4. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">
\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc.
All rights reserved.
wikiHow, Inc.
is the copyright holder of this image under U.
S.
and international copyright laws.
This image is not</b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website.
This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n</p>
<br />\n</p></div>"} If you live in a dry climate, allow a day for the latex to air-cure. In a more humid climate, allow 48 hours.
The talcum will fall into place as you peel the mold from the plaster keeping it from sticking to itself. After you have removed your mask, trim away excess latex to clean up the edges. Be sure to use a knife to cut away holes for the mask wearer’s eyes.
Experiment with these latex-acrylic paints until you get the look that you want. After the mask is painted, attach hair cut from an old wig, feathers, sequins, or other elements. You can glue these in place with tinted latex. Be creative, and have fun!