Making Another Goblin King Jareth Mask Part 1

My original Jareth mask has long since been sold, but I have had the mask up on a made to order basis on Etsy for awhile now. I get a huge amount of inquiries about how long it would take to have one made, but over the past few years I've been super busy and not really into the swing of things creatively. I've often shut down offers for a commission on one. Crazy, I know, but when you're not feeling it, you're not feeling it.

There was one person however, who was very adamant about getting a mask done. There was one hitch however in that they wanted a mask that was more accurate to the one in the movie, with that boney arm stick holder. At first I was a bit apprehensive as I know the original mask weighed more than I thought a stick could handle. I also wasn't sure how to securely attach a stick to a mask that has weight to it or what to use for a stick even!

The original Jareth mask

I decided I'd try to make the mask as light as I could, which proved difficult using the methods I prefer to create with. Still, I used thin layers of plasterwrap to keep the weight down as much as I could. I had to make a new horn mold because I misplaced the original one somehow. I was able to make the horn a lot thinner this time which was pretty cool not only for weight but accuracy.

I also tried a new sculpting compound for forming the shape on the mask, called Amaco Sculptamold. I can't say it was any easier to work with and it certainly came out just as lumpy as the Celluclay normally does. I have lots of sanding work to do on this one. I really need to find something entirely new that doesn't weigh a ton. I have tried Apoxie-Sculpt in the past year and it weighs a lot as well. All polymer clays weigh too much and paper clay always tends to crack on me. Totally open to all suggestions here!

Work in progress

In its current state, it's a lumpy mess, but the gesso + sanding will help that out. It would sure be nice to be able to skip that whole series of steps though. I attached the stick to the side of the mask first with hot glue and then further attached it with the modeling compound. I am likely going to go  over it again with some plasterwrap cloth pieces to ensure it sticks. I'm very nervous about it falling off. I searched for a ton of tutorials and could only find how to attach sticks to tiny little fabric masks, not something that weighs a pound or more.

I also opted for a thicker dowel instead of the thin one which would have looked better. I'd rather play it safe than sorry though and until I can get the weight down, it's just going to have to be this way!

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Chilly Down: Making a Fiery Mask from Labyrinth Part 1

I received a commission request through Etsy about making a Fiery mask.I had to giggle to myself as they explained that they were the ones who took their heads off in the movie. I thought, "This is the Labyrinth master you're talking to...of course I know who they are!"

I funny thing is, I had already planned to make a Fiery mask long ago, like probably right around the time I first created this blog. I even had a nose piece in production to make this guy.

Chilly Down with the Fire Gang!

I sent her the picture to give her an idea of what I meant, and she said that was the exact one she had in mind! Isn't it weird when things line up like that? I have a lot going on, but I figured this was something I had planned to do anyway, and this was just an impetus to get it done.

The one snag was that the original craft fur I had ordered years ago turned out to be an incredible flop for the purposes I wanted it for. It was fly away and stringy, nasty stuff. Nothing like the beautiful hair I used for Ludo's mane. I decided right away I wanted to see if I could find that fur again to use for this instead. I did find it on Ebay, and ordered the colors I needed right away!

From the side - check out the neat ridges around the eyes!

I then got to attaching the nose I had made to to a base mask made of plastwrap cloth. I made the nose out of cardboard and masking tape to hold it together and hotglued it the plastwrap. Then you have to go over it again with plasterwrap cloth to make sure it's all nice, secure, and uniform. I employed a new technique with this mask that just kind of happened. To basically fold the strips of plastercloth, then wet them, and then attach them. It has to be done super quickly or else the cloth wants to fall off, but it has an awesome look to it.

From the front

This is what the mask looks like so far, and now I'm mostly waiting for the fur to come in the mail so I can figure out how I'm going to weave in the white and gold fur to the red fur.I'm going to add some molding to the outside of the 'big beak' to help give it a more muzzled look. It should come together nicely.

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Waylaid by Sewing Machine and Darkness Started

Phew! What a week it's been. I had planned to post around Wednesday, but I got sidetracked on a project and didn't get any painting done until Thursday night. The previous week I had put in an order for fabric to make this beautiful baby blanket. I expected it to take some time to create, but not nearly as much as it did. As it was, it took up about two days of my week, but at least it's done now. Next time I will make a simpler blanket as I'm not sure all the extra work was worth it.

Then last night, I finally got some alone time and got my Darkness painting started for the Fantasy wall. I got a good bit of work done, but still have a ways to go. I'd be happy to finish it over the weekend.

Darkness in Progress from Legend

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Paintings for Prints Poll

I finally bought an Epson printer and am looking at having prints available of my artwork very soon. As paper and ink for the printer can be very expensive, especially considering some of the off sizes of many of my paintings, I wanted to get an idea of which paintings people were most interested in seeing as a print before ordering.

If one isn't listed here, please feel free to comment which one you'd like to see instead on here or on Facebook.

Feel free to pick more than one!

survey software

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Ladyhawke painting finished - Titled "Cursed" on 18" x 24"

And it's done! This is the next in my latest series to fill my living room wall with 80's fantasy art. It's a painting of Rutger Hauer and of course his Ladyhawke - from the movie..Ladyhawke. I always love to paint birds and this hawk was fun. 

I've already started the next painting which is going to be yet another painting of Tim Curry from his role as Darkness from the movie Legend. I've actually done one already in the past as a commission for a friend of mine. You can see that painting here if you so choose.



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