How-to Paper Mache Mask

By Rain Blanken

DIY Fashion Expert

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How-to Paper Mache Mask

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Make a paper mache mask with just paper and glue. Photo Credit: Rain Blanken

Updated August 30, 2016.

Paper mache is a fun and easy way to sculpt just about anything. The best part is that it only takes a little flour and water to get the job done. Make a strong mask that will fit your face perfectly with this complete photo tutorial.

What You'll Need:

1/2 a cup of flour
1 cup of water
A large bowl
A few pages of newspaper or magazine paper
Vaseline or aloe lotion
Yarn, hemp or string to tie on when finished

Once you have all your materials handy, let's get started.

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Prepare the Paper Mache

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Tear long strips of paper and mix up the flour solution. Photo Credit: Rain Blanken

Mix your flour and water together in the large bowl. Stir it up well, but it doesn't have to be perfectly blended.

Rip a few pages of newspaper or magazine pages. I like to use all those coupon papers that come in the mail. If you are having trouble ripping the strips of paper, try rotating the paper 90 degrees. It's much easier to rip nice long strips of paper when you are ripping along the grain.

If you are using glossy coated pages like in a magazine, then you'll have to soak each strip a few seconds longer in the flour solution.

The number of paper strips depends on the size of the face you are making a mask on. It's better to have more than you think you'll need.

Next, we will prepare the face.

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Prepare the Face

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Cover all areas that have hair. Photo Credit: Rain Blanken

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Lay the First Strips

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Lay large strips as indicated. Photo Credit: Rain Blanken

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Lay the Second Group of Strips

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Begin to cover the sides of the mouth and chin. Photo Credit: Rain Blanken

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Cover the Bridge of the Nose

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Make a strong mask by crossing vertical strips with horizontal strips. Photo Credit: Rain Blanken

Now you'll cover the bridge of the nose and lay more strips around the face.

Use a long, wide strip of paper and lay it vertically to cover the forehead and bridge of the nose. Use your fingertips to smooth the edges of the paper down to form around the nose.
Lay another thick strip across the forehead to secure the vertical strip you just placed on the nose.
Lay vertical strips along the temples and cheeks.

Repeat the method of securing the vertical strips by laying horizontal strips where needed.

Next, we'll cover the upper lip.

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Cover the Upper Lip

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Carefully cover the upper lip area. Photo Credit: Rain Blanken

To cover the upper lip area, you'll need to use a thin and strong piece of paper. Fold a long strip of soaked paper in half lengthwise. Center it over the upper lip and smooth it down. Don't worry about how the shape of the mouth looks now. You can cut it after the mask dries.

Remember to lay vertical strips along the cheeks and the sides of the mouth to hold this piece in place.

Repeat this step to add an identical piece on top and layer more vertical pieces at the ends to secure.

Now you can finish the nose.

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Finish the Nose

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Create a septum by laying a thin strip down the middle of the nose. Photo Credit: Rain Blanken

For some masks, you'll want to cover the nose completely. Make sure that your subject has a good mouth hole to breathe out of if you are planning on layering over the nose.

To create nose holes, you'll need to lay a thin strip over the bridge of the nose. Fold a small strip of paper in half after it has been soaked. Fold again if needed to fit the width of the septum (the septum is the skin between your nostrils).

this strip of paper should reach from the top of the nose to the top lip.

Cover the upper lip and the bridge of the nose with horizontal strips to secure. Make an 'X' between the eyes with long strips of paper.

Now you are ready to finish the mask.

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Finish the Mask

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The finished mask should have coating of large strips. Photo Credit: Rain Blanken

To create a smooth look for the finished mask, lay a final layer of very large strips of paper.

Let your mask dry overnight. It may seem pretty dry after a few hours, but it really needs to be left alone overnight to create a nice, hard shell. Once it is dry, you can cut the eye, nose and mouth holes to form frowns, smiles or whatever you like.

What you do with your mask is now up to you. If you want to paint it, use acrylic paints.

Watercolor paint will not be thick enough to cover the words and pictures on the newspaper pages.

For masks with horns, teeth, wrinkles or other solid features, you can mold additional paper mache onto the mask when it's done, like this Harry Potter Death Eater mask.

If you want to make a mask but don't want to mold it to your face, try using a balloon, instead. Here are brief instructions on using a balloon for paper mache masks.

Want to know how to make a specific kind of mask? Ask me at our DIY Fashion forum. I will personally answer any questions you have about making masks.