The first mask we made in mixed materials used the thermoplastic varaform, which had a netted appearance. We used this material for the eyes of a bug and then plastazote for the base.
First we had to design our mask and then make a paper template. We then used this paper template to make semi's spheres the same size as the eyes with clay. The measuring took longer than intended, but through making the template with paper, it allowed me to experiment until I got it right. Once the semi- spheres were created, I then covered it with tin foil so that when moulding the varaform around it, it would not stick.
To make the varaform flexible, we had to heat it with boiling water. A really useful tip we were told was to make sure you had a pot of cool water standing by so that when touching the plastic and boiling water you did not burn your fingers. This technique was really effective and apparently works with hot glue too! Having now done the bug eyes I then cut around the eyes, leaving a trim around it so that you can easily glue it to the plastazote. Any offcuts of varaform left over could be used for little accessories. I made antennae!
We then moved onto doing the base of the mask. I cut into the plastazote using a Stanley knife and cut around the paper template design that was developed earlier.
Having now cut out all the pieces required for the mask, we then had to assemble them. The best type of adhesive to do this is a hot glue gun. I don't have a hot glue gun so I did try PVA but that was very temperamental. Hot glue guns are a lot faster and so I think I shall invest and try it again using a hot glue gun because my mask fell apart when using PVA glue and it took very long time to dry.
I really enjoyed using this thermoplastic and I learnt so many different techniques that I know are going to be really valuable in the future, such as the cold water technique.
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