Getting Plastered

HOKAY! So, as I mentioned in my last post, we're learning to make masks like the Germans do! And in order to build a mask, we have to have a form to build off of, so we start with our own faces. 

Making a plaster cast of your own face is a pretty complicated process. Here's a little step-by-step. (ok that sounds like it'll be a boring post. But it's fun! keep reading!)

First, get your supplies together. This means a ton of plaster strips (like the ones you would use to make a hard cast for a broken arm)

Then, wrap your hair in plastic.

Sometimes this is done much more efficiently than others. And don't forget the eyebrows!

Then, with the help of a buddy, a bowl of water, and a lot of vaseline, cover your whole face, piece by piece

After three layers and artful nose holes, it's finally time to...let it dry!

This gives plenty of opportunity for your friends to mess with you, since you can't see and are trying to meditate to avoid smiling and thus changing your face shape beneath the plaster. 

Once it's dry, a little face wriggling loosens it so it slips right off

Leaving you a little messy

But the first step is complete.

You're not done though, because this is just a negative mold - it's the inside of the plaster that's the exact shape of your face.

So we mix some liquid plaster

(That's Hajo, our mask-making teacher, btw)

And slowly FILL YO' FACE!

A spoon works well at first, for the details. Then a cup becomes a little more efficient.

A screw it. just dump that crap in there. 

Goodnight, sleepy heavy faces! See you in the morning when you're nice and solid.

Since we want full heads, we used styrofoam guys to make head caps, which we attached to the backs of our faces and filled with more plaster. 

But, of course, while they were drying, we had to make friends with them...

Next, in the words of Natasha Beddingfield, "Peel the skin of youuurrr face. No one else can peeel it forrrr you. Only you can peel the skinnnn"

Ok so maybe those weren't the actual words, but hopefully someone from DoubleTake laughed. I know I did.

 And after a bit of sandpapering, you've got a solid plaster version of YOU! Which you can use for... well... anything, i guess...