Mask ideas for masked ball

[Cloo]

Going to a 'masked ball' burlesque night in October; I quite fancy customising a mask rather than buying off the shelf, but I have zero artistic skills, no patience and totally unsteady hands.

I'm wondering if my best bet is to find a plain half-mask base in a craft shop or online and then just going to Hobbycraft or somewhere and finding cool stuff to stick on it (maybe something a bit steampunky or lacy/glittery sexy). If I wasn't likely to totally fuck it up I could consider wrapping a plain base in washi tape, but I don't think it's a goer, although maybe my other half would be able to do it neatly. I could probably spray a plasticote base colour to make it more interesting as well.

My other thought is buying some lace and some spirit gum and basically glueing a lace mask on, but would have to practise first.

I think my basic outfit is going to be a long black satin skirt, short corset (probably blue brocade) and a vest top underneath.

Any tips for supplies, creative things that are easy etc?

 

[bimble]

Feathers. Feathers always good, loads of drama, light to wear, come dyed every colour and you can't mess it up too badly long as you're really sparing with the glue .

 

[Cloo]

Looking at Hobbycraft website I'm wondering about blue-themed decoupage and maybe some extra sequins/feathers. They sell plain mache masks that are easy to add to; I think I can probably manage that (possibly overoptimistic though)

 

[Greebo]

Looking at Hobbycraft website I'm wondering about blue-themed decoupage and maybe some extra sequins/feathers. They sell plain mache masks that are easy to add to; I think I can probably manage that (possibly overoptimistic though)

I suggest you buy a couple of bases - one to experiment on and one for best.

BTW lace can be tricky to glue onto a 3d surface. If you go down this route, I recommend using Spray Mount (the repositionable version) and not attempting to do it as a single piece of lace.

 

[alfajobrob]

Enjoy...

 

[mwgdrwg]

Aphex Twin mask.

 

[Greebo]

Cloo what I did before turning a blank white mask into a Day of the Dead themed one was to use google images to look at umpteen different masks which others had done.

A similar search (burlesque mask) might give you a clearer idea of what you like the look of when it comes to decorating your half mask or domino mask.

 

[Dooby]

I made a brilliant mask once by sticking jammy dodgers onto card. Won prizes.

 

[joustmaster]

 

[alfajobrob]

Now that is grim...

 

[joustmaster]

Worst episode of Doctor who, ever

 

[CNT36]

Worst episode of Doctor who, ever

Not quite.

 

[Flipstick]

Lots of amazing tutorials on YouTube.