Elgin Public Schools Logo

2009 8th Grade Masks

Aboriginal Inspired Designs

by Rita Heithoff on November 03, 2008

The Eighth Grade Art class's  first project was a paper mache mask.  The main requirement for the mask was that it had to  show a strong emotion.  The 8^th grade reviewed  Aboriginal art designs focusing on pattern for ideas to decorate their mask. The students formed  their mask over a plastic mold with newspapers and a glue and water mix.  After they had created the basic structure, it was removed from the mold. The students built up the features of the face to give it more character and expression.  The eyes, nose and mouth were all sculpted by adding more paper mache to create a unique and individual design. 

The students applied a coat of gesso to the mask when the paper mache was finished. This is a sealant and gives the mask a white background so the colors will show up better.  The students applied  of base color of acrylic paint.  After the paint had dried the students brushed the mask with white glue and covered it with colored sand.  They had the option of using one color, mixing the colors or applying several colors of sand.  The next step was to apply gel glue to the mask to create their aboriginal inspired design.  The glue design was sprinkled with colored sand.  The students were to use contrasting colors for the design so it stood out from the background.

The final stage of the mask was hair.  Students used tissue paper, pipe cleaners, feathers or any combination of those materials.  They should have used colors they have already used in the mask for continuity. 

Click on the slideshow to view their work.

 SS-2009 8th Grade Art Masks