The upcoming 2012 is the year of the black dragon. On the eve of the New Year, you can amuse your child by making a mask with him, or relax yourself, spending some time making a holiday symbol. And who knows, maybe it will work like an amulet, bringing you good luck in the coming year.
Instructions
Step 1
The most convenient materials for making masks with your own hands are cardboard, papier-mâché and foam rubber. Depending on what material you choose, get napkins, glue, pieces of foam or cardboard of different colors. For decoration, you can use whatever your heart desires: rhinestones, beads, satin ribbons, paint, pieces of good fabric and metal jewelry.
Step 2
It should be noted that the easiest way to make a mask is from cardboard. To do this, it is enough to cut the desired shape along the contour, make an attachment and decorate the mask. The disadvantage of this method is the fragility of the cardboard. It is impossible to use a lot of decor, as well as heavy items. The mask will deform easily. In this regard, foam rubber or papier-mâché will become more profitable material for amateur hand-made.
Step 3
Find on the Internet drawings of a black dragon, options for masks. Analyze which mask you are more interested in and come up with your own image of a dragon. If necessary, you can make a drawing.
Step 4
Making a dragon mask, like any other, it is better to start with the basics. If you are going to use papier-mâché, then one of the options for making the base can be a cast of the face. Prepare a mass for papier-mâché, lubricate your face with petroleum jelly. Apply a layer of small pieces of paper, and only in the second layer stack the pieces of paper, alternating with layers of glue, or simply use a homogeneous mass for papier-mâché. After the base has dried to a more or less solid state, separate the mask from the face and let it dry. Next, you just have to build horns, a dragon's nose and other elements. Then cut off the unnecessary parts and make the fastener (the easiest way is to use an elastic band that will hold the mask). With a foam mask, the use of a rigid base is optional. Sew the foam pads into a hat that covers the head and neck, leaving a slit for the eyes and mouth.
Step 5
The most important, difficult and interesting stage is decorating. This is how you can make your mask unique and realize the full potential of your imagination. A papier-mâché dragon can be made very stylish. Cover the mask with a black velvet cloth, make scales from dark plastic circles, eyebrows from golden tinsel, a mane from New Year's Christmas tree rain of all colors. Interesting solutions can be obtained when using foam rubber. It easily changes in shape by cutting or stitching parts, it lends itself well to coloring. Thanks to these properties, you can make a cute and funny dragon for your child.
