Masks! from Mistakes to Miracles

Carnevale-Mardis Gras-Faschings:  It's that time of year!  My friend Jennifer and I set up a couple of  "work days" in my home studio to do these, and 5 others. We used a spray-dye technique,  with a Preval Portable Spray Gun, and Procion dyes and Masks from Dharma Trading.
          There are 4 blogs below, with Step-by-Step Photos, Tips and Screw-Ups,
for an Ombre Mask, a Malachite Cat,  and an Iridescent Lizard.    The Granny Zanni Mask used spray acrylic and lace overlay.  All of them passed the "Torchlight Test".**

How To Photos: The Malachite Cat

The way I'd intended to decorate this mask didn't happen.  The outcome was a complete surprise! See below for my partner's Very Clever Way to cut air holes in them,  because they fit so closely to your face.

How To Photos: Jennifer's Clever Cat-Mask-Nose-Trick!

My Partner-in-Crime, Jennifer, came up with this procedure.  Now we can all breathe easier in our cat masks!  Just click on the image to enlarge.

How To Photos: Granny Zanni Nose Mask

We had this pair of  Commedia dell'Arte Zanni masks.  My partner created the rich, traditional brown and gold one for a man.  I frankly can't stand the things, so tried to come up with the most bizarre companion mask I could think of: Roses, Ribbons, and Embroidered netting.  A granny Zanni.

How To Photos: Irridescent Lizard Mask

My partner created a Pink Feathered mask on her Cat Mask base.  I wanted a coordinating mask, that a man might feel comfortable wearing; so I chose to use a lizard scale pattern.
Studying everything from geckos to gila monsters, I was surprised at how uneven the scales were. (thankfully! Much easier to draw!)  You use an overlap technique.  The top scales meet in the middle of the underlying scale.

How To Photos: The Ombre Mask

 I wanted the graded colors of Ombre Dying in this project, going from Yellow, to Orange, then Red.  There are tips at the end of this article. (Translation: how I'll probably do it differently next time. ;^) )

Senior Gift of Sustainability

What do these 3 images have in common?
Air Compressors.
One of the best gifts any Senior Class could give to their school, is a greener way to do things.
Airbrushing is the Way Forward.