Esthetics How do you make a mask (not the medical type)?

Ive never made something that would go directly on the face like a mask, but if i were to tackle something like this, i would probably go paper mache/glue cap. But before putting the cling wrap on, id wrap the head with a generous amount of gauze or fabric to create a safe gap between mask and face.

Glue and shreaded tissue would probably be fine for sculpting the mask if you wanted to avoid mache smell.

(At the very end before putting it on the doll, id put felt or something after the mask is made where if could bump into nose)

 

I sculpted a Psycho Mantis gas mask some years ago, for a tiny headed FL Chic Line Rou, out of Crayola' s Model Magic clay. It's meant for children to use, although a lot of grown adult crafters use it as well. So, it should be mostly safe to use for a lot of people with varying allergies.

It can be sanded, painted, carved once dried. It does take quite a while to fully cure. However, it mostly depends on how thick the sculpted piece is. It feels foam-like once dry, but it's solid. So, it's not going to do much damage as far as scratching the face/up. It does come in a variety of colors, and can be mixed. It's also available in a selection of packages and even some Dollar Tree carry it.

Here's my crapfest attempt at sculpting a gas mask. I used the white clay, and painted only the outside with black acrylic paint.


My bff sculpted a "giant" Pyramid Head/Bogeyman helmet for my largest BJD who's 67cm tall. So, this Model Magic clay can be used for making large or tinier doll props. Hope that helps, and good luck! (:

 

You also might try a paper clay like LA doll as you can sand it fairly thin and it is still quite strong. It could be backed with a velux type fabric to protect your doll when worn

 

It dries hard, almost resin like, and takes paint like a dream

 

I used weather stripping/foam tape (narrow 1cm, light tan color, soft foam strip with adhesive on one side) at the forehead area to keep paper masks off my dolls face-up.

 

I would say depending on the thickness it can take days to fully cure, or dry. If I recall correctly, the mask I sculpted took longer than two days, and it's a pretty small mask at around 3-4mm thickness and less than 2-inches in height. The clay is a bit fragile the thinner you make the piece, but neither of my masks have suffered any damage so far. I did try making something that was paper thin and that didn't quite survived. Hope that helps, once again good luck! (:

 

I was going to suggest LaDoll, but someone else beat me to it!

I am also horribly allergic to strong fumes (or even fumes that seem mild to others, alas), so you have my sympathies as a fellow sufferer. For the record, I have used LaDoll to sculpt a few times and it mostly smells like paper to me (a little bit of a dusty smell, but very neutral).

To add to the list of options, you can also make a white-glue-based clay called "Cold Porcelain" - Depending on the baby oil used in making it, it can smell strong, but if you make it yourself you can probably find an unscented oil. It is an air-dry clay that becomes very firm and inflexible when cured. You can add paint to it to give it color and you can also paint it, use pencils on it, etc.

Here's a miniature I made using cold porcelain that I purchased on Etsy - the pizza details were painted but all the other colors came from mixing cold porcelain with basic acrylic paint:
Neko Atsume!

Good luck with your project!

 

An alternative to sculpting would also be folding something from a thinner cardboard. Depending on the glue you use, it might be a more allergy-safe way to go about it, too. There are many tutorials and templates online for polygon masks that you can scale down and adjust to the needed size, it stays sort of flexible (to fit over wigs etc) or you can use it as a base to cover with paper clay/paper mache etc. Bonus: not much worries about curing time; minus: fiddly

 

@Blodeuwedd -
Oh goodness, I’m sorry to hear about all those triggers! Skin reactions are awful I’ve somehow managed to avoid those mostly but I get hit with migraines, breathing issues, anxiety, etc. Actually, formaldehyde was one of the major triggers that started me on a path of greater sensitivity as well (long story short: a place where I worked had new carpeting put in by VERY incompetent people and it stank of formaldehyde for months and months). It is poisonous stuff and probably harms a lot of people but they don’t even realize it.

No apologies needed for sharing, by the way, I fully understand the constant need to explain! It is a real challenge to have an invisible illness. Thank you for the virtual hug - I wish the same back to you and hope you will continue to keep a health balance.

Also, I hope you will be able to find a safe and easy to use material for your project and that it will go well!