How To Make Paper Mache Masks

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~ How To Make Paper Mache Masks ~

How To Make Paper Mache Paste:

This is our favorite recipe:

Mix one part flour with 5 parts water.  Bring to a boil on the stovetop and simmer for 3 minutes.  Add a tablespoon or two of salt to help prevent mold.  You will have consistency like thick glue.  Let cool and pour into a plastic left-over container.  

Other Paper Mache Paste Recipe Options:

Recipe #1 - One part flour to two parts water.  Squeeze out lumps and add tablespoon or two of salt as mold preventative.

Recipe #2 - 3/4 cup white glue to 1/4 cup water

Recipe #3 - liquid starch found at your supermarket 

~ How To Make Paper Mache Masks ~

Cutting the Milk Jug:

With a pair of sharp scissors, cut the milk jug in half from top to bottom.  You can use the handle side of the jug or the other side, whichever looks like it will produce the most interesting mask.  Soak and remove any labels.  Rinse and dry thoroughly.

Hold the jug half upside down and envision what your paper mache mask warrior will look like.  The jug handle will serve as a nose.  Using a craft knife, cut eye holes in the jug.  You can make them round, triangular, or rectangles. 

Use the natural lines, circles or other physical characteristics of your particular jug to enhance the design.  We used the round indentations on the milk jug to make big saucer-like eyes on one of the masks pictured here.  Use your imagination and have fun!

You can even cut the milk jug down one side, cut each side into 1/2 inch strips and roll them back to create the impressive mask shown here.

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~ How To Make Paper Mache Masks ~

Layering:

Dip a newspaper strip into the flour mixture to coat, and apply it to the milk jug horizontally.  Add another strip slightly overlapping the first. Continue this process until the entire jug is covered.   Wrap short strips around the eyeholes from front to back of mask.  Let the first layer dry completely.

Each layer will take up to 24 hrs. to dry, so cover your leftover flour mixture and place in the refrigerator overnight to prevent spoiling.   When you're ready for the next layer, just microwave it for about one minute.  This way it's nice and warm to work with!

Apply a second layer to the jug, this time angling the strips in a horizontal direction, and overlapping.   This second and final layer should be made from torn strips of white computer paper.  This allows for easier paint coverage when it's time to decorate.