Art Making/Material Exploration Blog: Mask Making

1. Upload the three (3) inspiration images to your Blog (or link to your Photobucket account). Explain why you selected the inspiration pieces.

 I selected this image because it looks like it could be some type of animal with human features.  The teeth look really interesting with they way they look.  I never realized you could make teeth like that on a mask.

 I Selected this mask because I like the colors on the mask.  The red and yellow made the mask jump out at me.

 I selected this mask because it looks like a cat's face.  Also, I like the texture along the edges of the mask and the paint around the eyes.  Both of those really made the mask stand out to me.

2. Include the analysis and description (art criticism steps) of the three (3) inspiration pieces.
For the first picture, the artist used the elements of line, form, color, and texture.  Line was used for the hair, teeth, and eyes.  Form was used for the nose to give it a greater 3-D effect.  Color was used on the whole piece.  Texture was used on the hair to give it the illusion that you could really feel the hair.  The artist used the principles of pattern, proportion, balance, unity and emphasis.  Pattern was used on the hair, teeth, and nose region.  This mask was not in proportion because the nose is so much larger than it should be when compared to the rest of the mask.  Balance was symmetrical for this mask.  Unity took all of the elements and principles of art to give the mask a sense of completion.  Emphasis was on the nose for this piece because it is so big compared to everything else and it jumps out at you.

For the second picture, the artist used the elements of line, form, and  color.  Line was used for the  eyes and the details on the nose.  Color was used on the whole piece.  The artist used the principles of proportion, balance, unity and emphasis.  This mask was in proportion because everything looks to be the right size when compared to each other.  Balance was symmetrical for this mask.  Unity took all of the elements and principles of art to give the mask a sense of completion.  Emphasis was on the yellow section of the mask because it stands out from being next to the red.
 
For the third picture, the artist used the elements of line, color, texture and value.  Line was used for the details on the mask around the eyes and cheeks.  Color was used on the whole piece.  Texture was used on the edge of the mask to make it look like you could really feel it.  Value was used in the painting of the face of the mask.  There are darker and lighter sections of the same color to show depth on the cheeks, nose, and ears.  The artist used the principles of pattern, proportion, balance, unity and emphasis.  Pattern was used for the details on the mask around the eyes and cheeks.  Balance was symmetrical for this mask.  Unity took all of the elements and principles of art to give the mask a sense of completion.  Emphasis was on the section around the eyes.  This is the most interesting part of the mask to look at.

3. Upload images of your sketches and finished piece.

4. Explain how you used the Elements and Principles in your finished mask.
For my finished mask, I used the elements of line, and color.  Line was used for the eyes, and details on the cheeks and around the eyes.  Color was used on the whole piece.  I used the principles of pattern, proportion, balance, unity and emphasis.  Pattern was used for the details on the mask around the eyes.  The mask is in proportion because everything is the right size compared to other parts of the mask.  Balance was symmetrical for this mask.  Unity took all of the elements and principles of art to give the mask a sense of completion.  Emphasis was on the eyes.  This is better to see when in the dark because the white part of the eyes are glow in the dark paint.

5. Share your opinion of your finished mask and what you thought about creating the mask.
I have always wanted to make a mask of a cat's face because I love cats.  I love how it looked at the end.  If I were to do this again some time, I think I would change the colors I selected.  I would go with more unnatural colors for a cat.  For example, the fur would be purple instead of black.  Creating the mask wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be.  I thought the paper mache mask would be hard to get off of the mold, but it came off pretty easily.  This was a very fun project to do.