Hi crafters,
As you know, one of my favorite things to do is teach leatherworking... But did you know that my very first experience teaching was for a leather mask-making workshop back in art school? Leather masks are one of my specialties, and I'm so excited to one day teach another workshop centered around this subject. But for now, as members, you get a sneak-peak with a simple leatherworking tutorial!
And even better - as a member, if you order a Crafter's Kit by the end of the April (today or tomorrow) and type "MEMBERMASK" into the note box at checkout, I'll toss in a FREE leather base for this mask tutorial, pre-cut and ready to tool and shape!
I've also included a print-out of the mask template, in case you have some vegetable-tanned leather lying around and want to cut out your own mask base. Download the pdf below:
PRINT YOUR TEMPLATESo download your template, grab your tools, and get crafting! Have fun!
Much love,
Marin
Leather Mask Tutorial
1. Gather your supplies
To make your leather mask, you'll need:
- Your mask template
- A ballpoint pen
- A mask base (carefully use a box cutter and the above template to cut your mask out of 4/5-6/7oz vegetable-tanned, untreated leather)
- Your tool pack, complete with swivel knife, mallet, stamping tools, sponge and sealer
- A small bowl of water for tooling
- A hard tooling surface, like a sturdy wooden table or a stone cutting board.
- A larger bowl of water, with a half-and-half mixture of room temperature water and boiling water. Either cover it to keep the heat in, or wait to heat the water until you're ready for shaping.
- Either an oven (pre-heated to 180F) or a heat gun
2. Draw your tooling design
With a pen or pencil, draw your tooling design onto the paper mask template. It can be anything you want it to be! Try drawing feathers, or maybe a fur texture. Go all-out venetian and draw some ornate flowers or vines. Make it your own!
3. Transfer the pattern and tool your design
Now it's time to tool the surface of your leather. For this section, refer back to my old blog post - "Tips for Tooling Leather". It has everything you need!
4. Prepare your hot water and pre-heat your oven
Make sure to get your space ready for shaping - when shaping, it's always best to make quick-decisive motions. Once the leather has been soaked with hot water, it will "remember" every shape you mold it into. So don't waist any time, and be prepared to hold the leather to your face for up to 10-15 minutes.
5. Let's get shaping!
Once you're ready to shape your mask, completely submerge your mask into the hot water, and hold it under for no more than 3 full seconds.
Shake or towel the excess water off the surface of the leather, then quickly start shaping the mask to your face. Use your pointer fingers to press the far sides of the mask just below the temples. Use your middle and ring fingers to pinch the leather against the bridge of the nose.
Hold the mask against your face for 10-15 minutes, or until the leather is able to hold its shape unsupported.
Carefully place your mask onto a baking sheet or casserole dish, and heat it in the oven until completely dry and light-colored (check on mask every 20 minutes). If you don’t have an oven, set your mask down somewhere safe and let it air-dry for several hours until bone dry.
6. Color and seal your mask
Using any coloring method you like (leather dyes, paints, antique gels, permanent markers, etc), decorate your mask to your liking! Use several layers of light coats and let the mask dry between each coat. If you soak it with dye, it might warp out of shape again.
Once it's fully dry and colored to your liking, apply many light coats of sealer with your (clean) sponge. Again, make sure to let it dry between coats! And don't forget the underside!
7. Finish it up
Once your mask is shaped, colored, and sealed, it's time to add a tie and wear it! Using a rotary hole punch tool (like this one), punch two holes near the edges of your mask close to your temples. Tie the ends of two strings (or leather lacing, twine, etc) onto the holes, leaving enough length to secure the mask behind your head.
Now all you have to do is put on your mask, and celebrate! You've made your first leather mask, and that's an accomplishment!
I absolutely can't wait to see how your masks turn out. Be sure to share photos on Instagram and Facebook, and tag me so I see your hard work! Have fun crafting, friends.