A Paper Clay Mask.

This is a dacoit mask.

Its purpose is to conceal all details of the human face underneath, and to mess with the observer with its unpleasant outlook.

it contains distracting elements as features - gory yellowing teeth, dark hair and beard, bright red strips under the eyes.

it is very gruesome-looking and is perfect for a robbery or espionage :P

i made it because it's the first idea that came to my mind when i thought of what mask to make.

Honestly, the mask turned out exactly how i envisioned it to be. Kinda looks like the drishti idol people hang up ouside of homes and workspaces :D

to make the mask: a stable surface to work on, paper clay, newspapers, paper tape, a netted cloth the size of a large handkerchief.

to paint it: primer paint, watercolour paints, paintbrushes of varying sizes

the outcome after step 1 should look like this ^^

this first step instructs on how to make the base mask.

start by rolling out the clay, flattening it into an oval shape, like a roti.

spread out the netted cloth and place the flattened clay on top.

outcome after step 2 ^^

next, crumple up a big sheet of newspaper(a sheet with two pages combined) into a ball. take a few more sheets and wrap the ball up with them. use as many sheets as needed.

make a big ball and a smaller one, both loosely crumpled so that its easy to flatten them.

flatten the newspaper balls for the mask base + cloth to rest on.

place the smaller ball atop the larger, use big strips of tape and tape them to the table so that the clay mask doesnt move around while you work on it.

the smaller newspaper base is for the mask to rest on, while the larger is to support the pieces attached to the side of the mask, later.

using this image ^^ for step 3 as reference, shape up pieces of clay for the facial parts and attach them to the clay base like so. carve out eyeholes for the eyes using a blade, or even with your hands.

leave the mask to dry and harden in a cool, dry space for a few days.

paint primer is a thick white liquid, if not used the watercolour paints will just be absorbed by the clay mask when it is painted. Apply a reasonably thick layer of primer thoroughly on the mask.

The primer will take about 15-20 minutes to dry.

paint the mask however you like, the picture above^^ is just for reference.