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Mask Making for Expression |
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Contributed by AECadmin
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Mask Making for Expression
A Lesson in Four Stages
Grade Five and up
Laraine Cicchetti
Examples of student work are in my Gallery
Objective: Students will learn that shape and color can be manipulated to create expression in a mask.
Mask Making for Expression
A Lesson in Four Stages
Grade Five and up
Objective: Students will learn that shape and color can be manipulated to create expression in a mask.
Introduction: Students view and discuss a variety of masks from different cultures and times. The focus of the discussion is to encourage students to recognize how specific visual qualities evoke feeling.
Students are given an overview of the stages of this project before starting.
Part One
Materials: Recycled materials including corrugated cardboard from cut up boxes, cut up paper towel rolls and egg cartons, scrap wood, craft sticks and any available materials that will create an interesting relief effect.
Students draw and cut out the shape of their mask using corrugated cardboard. To this they add any parts from other materials to build the main features. Negative shapes are cut from cardboard with exacto knives. Students are encouraged to manipulate parts and shapes with the intention of creating a particular feeling or emotion.
Part Two: Materials: Paris Craft and water.
Masks are covered with Paris Craft to attain a smooth white surface.
Part Three: Materials: Gesso ,tempera or acrylic paint
Masks are primed with gesso and painted. Students are reminded to think of color as an expressive quality which can be used to enhance the desired effect they are trying to evoke in their work. Prior to painting, crayon sketches are worked up to provide a general color plan.
Part Four: Students select from a variety of collage materials including feathers, yarn, beads, pipe cleaners, and cotton to embellish their masks.
Sharing and Reflecting: Masks are hung together and students discuss how individual masks make them feel and identify the visual qualities which lend themselves to each mask’s expression.
Extensions: Students name their mask and write a description including the meaning of their mask and how and when it might be used. A theater or dance piece could be developed where masks interact.
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Lesson Plans