Lesson video

Hello, my name is Mrs. Tipping and I'm really looking forward to learning with you today about sculpture and making a mask.

We're going to do lots of thinking, talking and exploring together in this lesson.

So shall we get started? Let's go.

By the end of today's lesson, you'll be able to create a mask shape and add features using 3D construction techniques.

Before we start, I'd like to introduce you to some keywords.

We'll be using these keywords during the lesson, so it might be a good idea to write these words down.

The first key words we'll be using today are mask base, symmetry and asymmetry.

I'm going to say those again and I would like you to repeat them after me.

Mask base, symmetry, asymmetry.

Good job.

Now let's take a look at what each of these keywords mean by checking out their definitions.

A mask base is the foundational structure of a mask before adding details or decoration.

Symmetry is a balanced and proportionate similarity between two halves of an object or design.

And asymmetry is a lack of balance or symmetry between two halves of an object or design.

Pause the video here to make a note of these keywords and when you're ready to continue, press play.

And the other two key words we'll be using today are three dimensional and construction.

I'll say those again and I would like you to repeat them after me.

Three dimensional construction.

Good job, now let's find out what each of these keywords mean.

Three dimensional is something that has height, width and depth unlike a flat drawing or picture.

Construction is the act of assembling materials to form a structure or object.

Pause the video here to make a note of these last two keywords.

And when you're ready to continue, press play.

These are the learning cycles that we'll be working through together in today's lesson, designing a mask base and adding features to the mask.

In the first learning cycle, let's explore designing a mask base.

What role does the shape of a mask play in how it is seen by others? Pause the video here and have a discussion with your partner and press play when you're ready to continue.

What did you think? What role does the shape of a mask play in how it is seen by others? Well, masks are often used in various cultures for rituals, ceremonies and celebrations.

They are also used in theatre performances as a disguise or as works of art.

Take a look at that traditional Indian classical dance clothing and mask.

The mask shape can help to make a mask look realistic or similar to a human head.

Exaggerated, smaller or larger than life, can be animal-like or it can be geometric or abstracted to give a distinctive look.

The mask base is the foundational structure of a mask.

Before adding details or decoration, it's important to start making a mask by drawing the mask base outline, and then cutting it out using scissors.

Let's take a moment to pause and check our understanding.

A mask shape must look realistic or similar to a human head.

Is this statement true or false? Pause the video here and give yourself a moment to think and press play when you are ready to continue.

If you said that's false, you're absolutely right.

But why is that statement false? Pause the video here and have a quick discussion with your partner and press play when you're ready to continue.

What did you think? If you said that masks shapes can take on many different forms, including realistic, exaggerated, animal-like geometric or abstract.

They don't necessarily need to be realistic or similar to a human head, then you are right, well done.

Symmetry is where there is a balanced similarity between two or more sides of an object or design.

So here there's a line of symmetry down the centre of this circle, both sides are the same.

And here we've got lines of symmetry in two places and the same here in this shape.

So that's two or more sides that are similar.

Geometric shapes often display symmetry as they are mirrored and even on different sides.

Symmetrical masks look the same on both sides, whereas asymmetrical mask is irregular.

So can you see the symmetrical mask there? That's the same on both sides and the asymmetrical mask, can you see how it's different? One of the eyes is a bit more closed.

To make a mask base shape that is symmetrical, draw one half of it, cut it out, then fold your card in half to match both halves to each other.

Not all masks need to be symmetrical to look good.

Asymmetry can also be used to create dynamic and interesting designs.

Think about the style of your mask, and if you wanna use symmetry or asymmetry, you also need to consider how the mask will fit in relation to your face.

Place the mask against your face and see if you need to make any adjustments to the mask base such as its shape or size.

Let's take a moment to pause and check our understanding.

What is the purpose of folding your card in half before cutting out your mask base? Is it to save paper, to create a symmetrical design or to make the mask smaller? Pause the video here and give yourself a moment to think and press play when you're ready to continue.

What did you think? If you said to create a symmetrical design, you're absolutely right, well done.

You may remember creating a design for a mask.

You can use this design or create a design and refer to this as you design your mask base.

You might decide to refine your design by applying symmetry or asymmetry to your mask base.

You also might need to simplify your design and use a block shape for the foundation of your mask base.

So can you see here how this mask base is a bit simpler than what we can see in the design there? This brings us to our first learning task.

I'd like you to sketch the outline of your mask base.

Cut out your mask base and refine the shape until it fits your face comfortably.

And if you're creating a symmetrical design, fold your card in half and then sketch the outline of your mask base.

Think about its purpose.

Is it meant to be dramatic, simple or intricate? Pause the video here and give yourself enough time to have a go at this learning task and press play when you're ready to continue.

How did you get on? Well, there are many ways that you could have created a mask base shape.

You could have folded your card in half and sketched the outline of your mask base.

If creating a symmetrical design, you might have thought about the purpose of your mask and then cut out your mask base and refine the shape so it fits your face comfortably.

This mask base was outlined in pen, then adjusted slightly so that it would be roughly the same shape and larger than a head in size.

Well done for having a go at that learning task.

This now brings us to the second part of our lesson.

We are going to explore adding features to the mask.

Masks come in many different shapes and sizes.

Some masks are mostly flat, but use surface decoration to build up layers and introduce depth.

Take a look at that Venetian style decorative mask.

You see how the lace has been used on the top and those gems around the eye sockets.

Other masks use construction techniques to assemble layers into a three dimensional form.

Discuss with a partner how you might build depth in your mask by adding layers to the mask base.

Pause a video here to have that discussion and press play when you're ready to continue.

What did you think? How would you add layers? On this mask design, you can see how they've added cut outs of trees and stars to layer on top of the mask.

Let's take a moment to pause and check our understanding.

What does 3D stand for? Three designs, three dimensional or three dimensional design.

Pause the video here and give yourself a moment to think and press play when you're ready to continue.

If you said three dimensional, you're absolutely right, well done.

Now Jacob says, "To make my mask more 3D, I will slot together different pieces of card by cutting slits on the edges of them before glueing them in place." Sofia says, "I want to add exaggerated and textured features to my mask, so I'll use lots of layers of card that are folded, then glued or taped together to create a three dimensional surface." Artists may experiment with symmetry in their mask shape, adding many layers of decoration to create sculptural 3D forms in their mask designs.

Contemporary artists working with masks in this way include Christybomb, RAY BK and El Anatsui.

Take a look at this image here of these wooden masks.

Do you notice how 3D elements can be added to masks to create depth and character to make sculptures more? Three dimensional card can be shaped in all sorts of ways such as curling, ripping, folding or layering.

And different thickness of card will also respond in different ways when we work with them.

Think about using thicker card for the supporting structures or features and thinner pieces of card to refine them.

Once you've constructed the facial features in 3D, secure them in place on the mask base by using glue or tape.

You could also use other card construction techniques such as tabbing or slotting to create extra strength and stability.

You do not need to think too much about surface decoration as layers will go on top later on.

Make sure the features are secure in place of your mask using stronger glue or more tape if they seem loose.

Let's take a moment to pause and check our understanding.

If your mask features aren't staying attached, what should you do? Use stronger glue or more tape, remove all of the features, stop working on the mask and start again.

Pause the video here and give yourself a moment to think and press play when you're ready to continue.

If you said use stronger glue or more tape, you're absolutely right, well done.

This brings us to our final learning task.

I'd like you to add three dimensional features to your mask using extra pieces of card to create raised sections.

So you should review your mask design, experiment with techniques like curling, folding, ripping or layering to add depth and interest.

And then construct and secure each feature to your mask base using glue or masking tape.

So pause the video here and give yourself enough time to have a go at adding three dimensional features to your mask using those extra pieces of card and press play when you're ready to continue.

How did you find that? Were you able to add your features? Which technique did you like doing the most? Well, here's an example.

When you were adding features to your mask, you might have used extra piece of card to create those raised features and to make your mask 3D.

Hopefully you experimented with techniques like curling, folding, ripping or layering to add depth and interest.

And hopefully you decided which one you prefer doing the most.

Then you will have constructed and secured each feature to your mask base using glue or masking tape.

Now for this mask, the bridge of the nose was folded and layers of card were added for other features to create depth.

So well done for having a go, adding features to your mask and well done having a go at this learning task.

Before we finish this lesson, let's summarise what we've learned about creating a mask shape.

Masks can appear in many different shapes and sizes.

Symmetry can be used to create different mask designs.

Card can be shaped using different techniques to construct 3D elements and features.

There are multiple ways to attach elements to a mask base such as glue, tape, tabbing and slotting.

Thank you for joining me in this lesson today.

I hope to see you in the next one.

See you next time.