Halloween Masks: Paper Mache Full Face Mask

🎭 Halloween Masks: Designing and Painting a Full-Face Paper Mache Mask

Lesson Summary

In this creative, hands-on project, students will design and decorate their own Halloween masks using a paper mache full-face base. Whether it’s spooky, wild, magical, or heroic—students can choose from classic Halloween characters or dream up a creature of their own.

This lesson gives students a chance to explore their imagination while learning how to turn an idea into a finished, wearable piece of art.

Learning Goals

Design and decorate an original Halloween mask
Explore creative thinking through sketching and color design
Develop problem-solving and planning skills while working with a 3D form

🎨 Imagination Starters – Mask Design Discussion

If you could become any creature or character just for one night, who or what would you be—and why?
(Would you be powerful, mysterious, funny, magical?)
What kind of world does your character live in?
(Is it a spooky forest? A futuristic city? A glowing underwater kingdom?)
Does your mask have a story?
(Was it cursed? Is it worn by a hero or villain? What does it protect you from?)
How would your character walk into a room wearing this mask?
(Slow and mysterious? Loud and bold? Gentle and glowing?)
What emotion do you want your mask to express when someone looks at it?
(Surprise? Joy? Fear? Wonder?)

Choose Your Theme

Students can choose one theme—or mix them—to create something new and unique.

1. Halloween

Classic spooky characters like:
👻 Vampires, Mummies, Bats, Skeletons, or Frankenstein’s Monster

2. Animals

Turn into a real or imaginary creature:
🦁 Lions, 🐯 Tigers, 🦓 Zebras, 🦖 Dinosaurs, or invent your own hybrid

3. Superheroes

Be inspired by comics or create your own hero:
🕷 Spider-Man, Hulk, Batman, Wonder Woman, or something original

4. Fantasy

Design something magical and mysterious:
🐉 Dragons, 🧝 Elves, 🦄 Unicorns, ✨ Wizards or Fairy Creatures

Materials Needed

Paper mache full-face mask (provided)
Pencil and eraser
Color markers, colored pencils, or paint
Optional: embellishments like yarn, feathers, sequins, paper scraps

Step-by-Step Process

Brainstorm & Imagine
Think about what inspires you—what colors, symbols, animals, or characters do you love?
Ask yourself:
- What mood will your mask have—scary, playful, magical, or strong?
- Will it be based on something real or entirely invented?
Sketch & Plan
Using a flat mask template, create a few quick sketches.
Choose your favorite one and refine it—add patterns, details, and color ideas.
Transfer Design to the Mask
Use your paper mache mask to bring your idea to life.
Lightly sketch your design directly onto the mask, adjusting shapes for the 3D form.
Color & Decorate
Now fill in your design using markers, colored pencils, or paint.
Add texture and details: patterns, lines, symbols, or anything that makes your character stand out.
Final Touches
Add highlights, shadows, or layered colors for depth.
Optional: Add extra features like cut paper shapes for horns, ears, or feathers.
Showcase & Reflect
Share your finished mask with the class or at home.
Talk briefly about your idea:
- What inspired it?
- What was fun or challenging about making it?

Creative Tips

Be bold: Combine different themes to make something unexpected.
Think in 3D: Your mask wraps around a face—design with shape and depth in mind.
Layer with purpose: Use colors and shapes in layers to give your design life.

Key Vocabulary

Mask: A covering for the face used in performance, celebration, or art

Template: A blank outline used to sketch ideas

Embellishment: Decorative details added to enhance a design

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