Foam Mask Tutorial
Yesterday, you may have noticed was Tuesday, and there was no post. This is because I was a bum Monday. Tuesday evening though I was very productive because I have to get ready for Captain’s Comic Expo this weekend, and I’d prefer not to wait until the last minute on Thursday. The first thing I did was make a new mask for my Black Cat cosplay that I will be wearing Saturday.
So here is an amazing shot by Joe’s Studio of my old mask. Really there is nothing wrong with it, but I use eyelash glue to keep it on. The back of it gets a little gross, so I decided to take this opportunity to tweak the shape to be a little more defined.
I decided to use this photo by Stanley Lau as a reference. You can see that the bottom points of her mask are brought in towards the mouth a little bit more, and the same is going on with the top. The edges of the mask are also thinner, and more of her cheeks are exposed. Onward to the tutorial!
I’m using thin craft foam to make this mask. Using a pencil draw the outline of your mask’s shape on the foam. I outlined the shape of my old mask, and then used that as a base to create a new outline over it for half. I cut that half out, and folded it over to trace the other half.
Once you’ve finished cutting out your mask you will have to shape it to your face. Take a heat source, and warm the foam up until it is soft and formable. Be careful not to heat it up too much or it will shrink the foam or permanently deform it. When the mask is soft you can hold it up to your face and gently form it to your face by pressing it down. The main part that will need this is the nasal bridge in the middle of the mask.
The shape doesn’t have to be perfect since you will use adhesive to keep it on, but the better it is shaped around curved areas the less kinks you will have when you wear it. After you have the shape you desire it is time to seal it. I use Mod Podge to seal and prime the foam for painting.
After the primer has dried you can paint your mask. One coat usually isn’t enough. I used three light coats of black spray paint, and then I sprayed a coat of clear over it.
Your mask is ready to wear once the paint has dried! As I stated above, I have found that eyelash glue will hold lighter foam pieces to my face very well even though it does leave the mask pretty messy after. Just take my advice, and don’t put glue on the part that will go over your eyebrows… Yes, I learned from experience. I don’t have photos of the finished mask yet, but I will after this weekend!
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