This document provides step-by-step instructions for creating an African-inspired mask out of paper. The instructions include writing identification information on the paper, folding it in half and drawing half a mask, tracing the other half, taping the drawing onto tooling foil, using a ballpoint pen to trace over the drawing, choosing two areas to create low relief textures, adding additional patterns through repoussing, removing the drawing from the foil, creating low relief areas by applying pressure, brushing ink over the mask, rubbing it with steel wool, optionally adding color with markers, mounting the mask on black paper with decorations, writing identification on the back, and self-grading using a rubric.

1. African Mask
Step-by-step Instructions

2. Position paper
vertically.
Write 3 things:
Name
Class
Table Color

3. Fold paper in half
vertically.

4. Fold Line
Draw half of an African-inspired
mask from the fold line.

5. African Mask Features:
• Simple
• Stylized
• Exaggerated facial
features (e.g., lips,
eyes, nose)
• Bold geometrical
patterns (e.g., square
and triangular
checkerboard grids,
parallel, zigzag, curved,
and spiral lines)

6. Window trace the other
half of your mask.

7. Open your drawing and make
sure your mask is symmetrical.

8. With masking tape, tape your drawing
over a piece of tooling foil.

9. Place a magazine under your tooling foil
so you have a soft surface to work on.

10. Use a ball point pen to repousse the main
components of your mask drawing.
Tip: You will know your drawing has all been traced over when all of the
pencil lines are darkened with ink.
Tip: Check to see if you are repoussinghard enough by flipping your project over.

11. Decide which features you will create a low relief on.
You must have at least two different areas.
Tip: Features should not have patterns repoussed on them.

12. Add texture by using the repousse method
to create additional patterns of parallel
lines, dots, circles, checkerboards, etc.
Tip: Do not repousse patterns on the two features you reserved for low relief.

13. Once all lines have been repoussed, remove
the drawing from the tooling foil by
carefully peeling off the masking tape.

14. Decide which features you will create a low relief on.
To create a low relief, apply pressure to the stylus and
rub the area several times to stretch the metal.

15. When complete, brush a thin coat of Indian
ink over the mask. Allow the ink to nestle
into the crevices of your mask.
When dry, rub the mask with steel wool for
an antique effect.

16. Add color with Sharpie
markers where desired.
Tip: Make sure you color your mask symmetrically.

17. Mount your artwork onto a piece of black
construction paper and adorn with raffia, etc.
Tip: Make sure your adornments are placed symmetrically.
raffia

18. Write 3 things on the
back of your project:
Name
Class
Table Color

19. Grade yourself using the
African mask project rubric.