Making Masks as a Hobby

These are a sampling of various types of Halloween masks. There are images of animals, people, fictional characters, science-fictioni characters and more.

Masked Celebrations - Halloween

Clowns are imitations of faces taken to extremes. Bright and colorful wigs are another traditional mark of the clown.

Are you preparing for Halloween or Mardi Gras celebrations? Have you decided on the type of costume you will be wearing? Most importantly, have you given thought to how the mask will be designed?

The mask is the final touch to complete your costume. The mask completes the identity of the character being masqueraded for a party or parade event. It may cover the eyes, half face, or full facial.

Halloween allows for your choice of costume. It can be anything from being a hobo to being a monster or a science fiction character.

Halloween costumes are emerging into the cosplay events, parties, and parades. People enjoy these events because of the fun in creating and making their costumes. They take a great deal of pride in their workmanship to duplicate or create a different version of a character that they like or idolize.

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Mardi Gras

Venetian masks are luxurious, ornate and elaborate. They can be designed and worn as eye, half, and full facial.

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Mardi Gras mimics masks from Venice, Italy or the Venetian celebration which has people wearing elaborate masks made of porcelain or paper mache to hide their identity. One idea behind this celebration was to allow all people regardless of their social or financial standing in the community to be able to greet and meet anyone of their choosing. The masks may be worn for the carnival for weeks or in some cases the individual may choose to wear his or her mask for months. 

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Cosplay

Cat woman is one of many science fiction characters which are popular with cosplay fans.

​A new costume party gaining popularity in the United States is cosplay. Cosplay is short for “costume play”. This new activity has some roots in the United States and heavy influence from Japan’s animation and video games industries.. Likewise, in America, people love making their fictional costumes to reflect their favorite characters from science fiction movies, books, and game videos. Participants will spend hours of labor designing and constructing their body costume and their face masks.These original creations are an expensive undertaking, but there is pride in meeting the challenge.. 

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DIY and Commercial Masks

These animal masks are made with cardboard. These are affordable, simple and quick masks to make.

Making masks for anyone of these occasions is creative and challenging. It is an interesting hobby or a possible career. 

Both diy and commercial masks are made from textiles, paper, paper mache, wax, clay, porcelain, wood, plastics, plaster, rubber, aluminum, bronze, copper, and plastics. Construction may be simple or very intricate depending on the type of mask. 

Masks are adorned with paints, feathers, jewels, trims, and various other trinkets. 

The first three masks described in this article would be considered entertainment masks. However, there are working masks, war, safety, sports, and realistic masks such as the death mask. 

As a hobby it can be confusing as to what type of mask you wish to make. The first will always be one that was designed for personal use. This is usually for entertainment purposes. But you may be inspired by other designs.. 

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Fantasy or Realistic 

A simple mask made of cloth.

This mask is very complex to make. It will require the skills of sculpturing.

Masks are made for many reasons. Particular occupations require safety and filtering systems, sports, construction, asphalt cleaners, and more. There are hundreds of occupations which require working masks.

Different talents and skills will be needed to make an assortment of facial coverings. These creations may be simple or more complex. Paper and a pair of scissors will be the easiest. Masks made of clay, porcelain, plastics, rubber, wax and other similar materials will require the skill of a sculpture. This is a wide open field requiring research before making a decision. 

Read more about Face Masks for Halloween and Other Costumed Events.