African Mask Design Lesson

Step 4

Next, draw one half of a stylised mouth on the light sheet.

Although the position of the features in this mask is conventional, you do not have to follow normal facial proportions in mask design.

Variations in the positioning of the eyes, nose and mouth will create different expressive effects in your design.

Cut out the mouth and flip it over.

As before, place it on the dark sheet and align it with the vertical edge of the light paper to complete its shape.

Note that the inside of the mouth has also been cut out and flipped onto the light side of the design to create the illusion of an opening.

This illustration depicts some alternative designs for stylised mouths.

Click on a link below to see different steps in the lesson.