Make a Venetian-Style Halloween Mask

Venetian-Style Halloween Masks are an alluring and fun choice to wear on Halloween. Venetian masks have been around for centuries and originate from Italy. Wise Geek says "Venetian masks have a long history of protecting their wearer's identity during promiscuous or decadent activities. Made for centuries in Venice, these distinctive masks were formed from papier-mâché and wildly decorated with fur, fabric, gems, or ribbons. Eventually, Venetian masks re-emerged as the emblem of Carnevale, a pageant and street fair celebrating hedonism." Venetian masks are still popular to this day. If you've been thinking about making one for Halloween, this article will help by giving you a step by step. They are a great choice for Halloween because you can decorate them however you want, in whatever colors appeal to you. Before your get started, you may want to draw a sketch of how you'd like your mask to look. Your mask may not end up looking exactly like your sketch but it WILL end up being a one of a kind mask that you could enjoy for years to come. If you can't decide on how you want to decorate your mask, then click here for pictures of Venetian masks.

Make a Venetian-Style Halloween Mark #1: The Easy Way

There are a number of ways you can make a Venetian-Style mask but this way is by far the easiest. If you're doing a half mask, forgo making the mask yourself from scratch and buy a preformed one. That way you can decorate it as you please, without much mess. Below are instructions on how to decorate a half mask.

What you'll need:

1 hard plastic half mask (you can buy these at costume stores or in other stores around Halloween. Make sure you get hard plastic because the thin plastic will melt when you glue items on). Venetian marks are usually done in bright festive colors but if you are doing a Halloween mark, you'll want to use Halloween colors such as orange, black, dark blue, purple, yellow and bright green.

Hot glue gun

Glue sticks

Paint (either spray paint or paint in a tube in the craft department)

Any feathers, beads, sequins, ribbons, charms, fake jewels, etc

If you're going to paint your mask, do it first and let it dry. You can either spray paint it one color or paint a design with your craft paint. After your mask is dried, plug in your hot glue gun and insert your glue stick. Have all of the stuff that you want to use on your mask next to you and use the glue gun to put everything on the mask the way you want it. Set it aside when you're finished so it can fully dry. When it's done, wear and enjoy.

Make a Venetian-Style Halloween Mask #2: Plaster Mask

If you want to make a Venetian-Style Halloween mask out of plaster, you can do it one of two ways. You can have an asymmetrical mask (easier) or you need to enlist the help of a friend for the beginning process if you do the mold directly on your own face (be sure to use petrolatum jelly on your face and hair or you could hurt yourself when removing the mask).

What you'll need (easy plaster version):

Phase 1:

Asymmetrical mask

Several bandage plaster strips

Bowel of water

Have your asymmetrical mask on a work surface (like newspaper). Dip your strip in water and start layering them one by one for the mold that you want on the asymmetrical mask. You should do 2 to 3 layers for a sturdier mask (but be careful, it'll still be fragile) and let the mask set between each layer so it'll stick. Curve or round edges when needed (You don't want the mask to poke you as you wear it) Be sure you leave eye holes slightly larger then the size of your own eyes. When finished, let it harden on the asymmetrical mask, then remove (before it dries onto the mask) and let finish drying by itself. Plaster takes a while to dry so make sure you make your mask a while before you plan to wear it.

Phase 2:

You'll need paint and other decorations you want on your mask (ribbons, feathers, jewels, etc).

Hot glue gun

Glue sticks

Paint mask as desired, glue decorations on and then set it aside so it will have time to dry fully.

Phase 3:

Drill

String

If you want to attach your mask with strings to wear on your head, hands free then you'll need drill to drill holes onto each side of your mask. Use a small drill bit and do this very carefully (you don't want to damage your mask)! Tie a string and connect it to the other hole. Now your mask is complete and ready to wear.

Make a Venetian-style Halloween Mask #3: Tin Foil and Tape Mask

Wikihow.com has an easy tin foil and tape Venetian mask that you can make for Halloween. To see instructions and a picture, click here.