Leather Mardi Gras Masks

Submitted by: Christina Salinas, Del Mar High School, San Jose, CA
UNIT: Mask Making - Leather - Crafts
Lesson: Leather Mardi Gras Mask
Grade Level: High School

Objectives: Students will

• Show awareness of culture - understanding of Mardi Gras

• Design a Fantasy Mask using carnival masks fro inspirations

• Mold and shape leather to form a 3 dimensional mask

• Embellish/paint mask to add to aesthetic qualities

Preparation:

Make some cast plaster face molds (pour plaster inside plastic mold forms). Work through a sample to "trouble shoot" what might go wrong.

Resources:

See Carnival Mask Lesson Plan | Leather Masks from the Merchant of Venice - Angel Mask

See these Spanish Leather Carnival masks http://www.anymask.com/leathermasks.html

Duncan Eagleson Shapeshifter Masks - interesting leather masks

Click images for larger views

Materials:

3 to 4 pound weight tanned leather (or Leather Sides)
Plastic Face Forms
Heavy duty shears
X-acto Knives
Wood Carving Tool Set
Assorted Acrylic Paint and embellishments. May also use Metallic Acrylics

Sample Leather Masks

• Leather mask, 'Blue Butterfly'
• Leather mask, 'Blue Macaw'
• Leather mask, 'Spotted Jaguar'

Video On Demand

Making and Using Ritual Masks

Motivation:

1. Present some background information on Mardi Gras (may show PowerPoint of masks). Student research for ideas.

2. Demonstrate processes

Procedures:

1. Design a mask (research leather masks on the web to help give you inspiration). To make a pattern take a 11x17 (28 x 43 cm) piece of paper and fold it in half. Use the simple mask form, which gives the eye and nose placement as the starting base. From here add on to your design. Cut it out cutting through both folded layers. Cut out the eye socket areas.

2. Now it is time to use the leather- 3 to 4 lb weight tan leather (Note: Christina gets her leather from Napa Leather Hide Co. in Napa, CA
   a) lay the pattern/s on the leather
   b) tape it to the leather so that it will not move when you are tracing the pattern with a pencil.
   Leather is very expensive be sure to make use of the space on the leather hide wisely!

3. Using an X-ACTO knife: cut out the traced pattern with sharp X-acto Knives.

4. Make sure the mask: fits you face and the eyes slots are in the correct place.
   You may have to make some slight adjustments.

5. Now you are ready to wet the leather:
   a) drench the leather with water.
   b) place the leather between two towels removing the excess water.

6. Now it is time to use the plaster face mold:
   a) place the mask on the plaster mold, to hold the shape
   b) continue to work the leather, using wooden tools and your fingers.
   c) depending on the style of the mask you may want to pinch, twist, fold, or curl the leather achieving the desired effect, as you work the leather:

7. Use a blow dryer to set the leather in place:
   The heat will keep the leather in place as you shape your leather mask. If the leather dries out re-wet the leather and continue to work the leather.

8. When you are done, make sure the mask fits

9. Cut two slits on each side, ¼ inch long near the eye area which will be used for attaching a leather thong so that you can wear your mask. Or glue the leather thongs to the back of the mask covered by two small square pieces of leather.

10. Use Acrylic Paint, Feather Assortment, jewels or whatever you like to decorate your mask! Finish/embellishments must be aesthetically pleasing.

11. Reflect on meaning and purpose of mask. Write brief critique.

Assessment: (Rubric adapted from Marianne Galyk)

Student Comments:

Teacher Comments: