Milk Jug to African Mask

Ok so honestly I was a little nervous to start this project because I didn't want to mess it up, but I think it turned out really awesome!! I used a milk jug to create my mask and as I was looking at the jug I wanted to incorporate the handle and the top piece. I thought these two focus points would be really fun. As I was cutting out the mask I thought of gladiator helmets and how some of them have a small piece covering the mouth. I like this concept and I think it makes the mask look even cooler. After I got the mask cut out I covered it in masking tape. The placement of the tape is what adds texture to the mask. Since it didn't go on evenly when I put the brown shoe polish on it showed darker in certain parts. This was my favorite part about the mask. I love the way the shoe polish ended up looking. I let it dry for a day and then I began painting. I used tempera paint but I would suggest using acrylic or some other type because parts of the tempera started peeling as it dried. I used the design of the paint to bring out the "african style" as well as the placement of the raffia grass. It worked out really well to have the grass sprouting out of the hole at the top. I learned that african masks can be made in several different ways and the best way is to just wing it and have fun. There isn't one way to do but you just have to try.