New Mask Maker Here - A Couple Questions

Hello everyone,

Long time Halloween and mask enthusiast here looking into getting into mask making for the first time. I have a few questions before I get started if you all don't mind helping out a bit.

Planning on starting out sculpting half masks w/clay (Monster Maker's Monster Clay) with the intention of casting them in resin, but am not ruling out making full head latex and/ or silicone masks in the future at some point. I was looking at some kits/ options to get started and came across the Monster Maker's Half Ed H2.0 ( https://www.monstermakers.com/HalfEdH20 ). This looks to be a perfect armature for half masks, but I am curious about the mold making progress and how it would relate to both the half head armature vs. the full head armature that Monster Maker's sells as well ( https://www.monstermakers.com/EDH20 ). Would it be easier and more cost effective to make a mold of my sculpted half mask using the half head armature, or would the process be very similar if I sculpted a half mask on a full head armature? I am completely new to this subject and could be wrong (likely lol), but it seems as if it would be easier to make a mold from the half head armature vs. the whole head armature if all I was looking to do was make half masks for now. The reason I was thinking about this is it would be easier to grow as a mask maker already owning a full head armature vs. the half head option, because I wouldn't have to invest in another armature later on if I started with the full head option.

Also, as far as start up material and supplies go, I noticed Monster Maker's sells a half head kit that includes the armature, 4.5 lbs. of Monster Clay, a tool set, etc. for $99.99 ( https://www.monstermakers.com/stage-one-half-mask-sculpting-kit/ ). This seems like a good starting point to get into the hobby. 

I'd appreciate any and all feedback on my questions, tips, other suggestions, etc. Really looking forward to get started sculpting!

Comments

  • For a half mask, the Half Ed Head would be a good starting point.  Both it and the Full Ed Head would work, but the Half Ed would be lighter and easier to work with when only doing a half mask. 

    For silicone masks you would eventually want to make your own core, as silicone mask cores have some specific changes to help the eyes and mouth blend, as well as adjustments to help the mask fit snugly.

    As you mentioned, the kit from Monster Makers is a good starting point if you plan on sculpting with Monster Clay.

    We have a lot of courses related to mask making that can help you a lot as well.
    https://www.stanwinstonschool.com/tutorials?search=mask+making

    /Chris
  • The one thing to keep in mind venturing out into this hobby is..STAY WITH IT AND DON"T GIVE UP...alot of mask makers get burnt out or give up when the economy shifts...do this for the passion of doing it and not the money...It also helps when other artists can how you what they are doing as well..I do alot of videos/lives from FB and IG and I am always available on FB for help and tips if you need them (posting my link below)
    (1) Facebook
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