Hi Lia,

You've found a great new hobby! Have lots of fun with it. While you are having a look at the gallery...see Jennifer's fabulous papier mache giraffe for inspiration too.

Hi Lia!

Welcome!  If you would like to try making a mask instead of a figurine, I have a few suggestions.  A very simple way to do a giraffe mask is from a paper plate.  You can also make one from a mask form.  Here goes....

PAPER PLATE METHOD - Fold one paper plate in half.  Draw an outline for a face and insert an eye outline.  It should be half a face with one ear and one feeler ( or whatever those things are called).  Don't forget the eye hole.  Unfold and you will see two equal halves will form a whole face.  It can be cut right above the nose level.  Use a pair of goggles or sun glasses to get the basic shape for a face mask, just make it wider and longer.  Layer with paper mache strips and allow to dry.  Paint giraffe spots with acrylic paint.

FORM METHOD - Use one acrylic mask form.  Attach feelers made from twisted paper taped to the top of the mask.  Add ears cut from cardboard or free-handed with paper.  Do this with masking tape.  Now mache over everything.  Use about two or three layers.  Allow to dry thoroughly, then pop off the mold.  The masking tape will come off when you pull away the mache form.  Allow inside of mask to thoroghly dry.  Paint.

I don't have a paper plate sample but I do have a sample made from the mask form.  Please take a peek at my giraffe mask in my gallery.

Hope this helps.

Rozani