Painting the Birds
The week before the show, we were finally able to put some color on our masks. We had some leather dyes and paints ordered and began to experiment with color.
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We gathered some scrap leather and tested the dyes, labeling them for quick reference.
I experimented with different combinations of techniques; colors over and under other colors, using a paint brush or a sponge, creating patterns with different colors. I made sure to mark the combinations and techniques we were trying so that if we liked a look we would be able to imitate it easily
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The first mask we painted was the Bloody Man Mask.
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The first mask we painted was the Bloody Man Mask.
It was a solid scarlet. Some natural spots or blemishes in the leather caused darker spots, but we didn't mind them. We used a larger brush for this, and did several layers so it would be a deep red.
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The next mask we painted was the Hermit Mask
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The next mask we painted was the Hermit Mask
I used a neutral base and mixed together some dyes to create a shadow color. I accentuated some of his features as well as giving him some shadow. I then used a Sea Sponge dipped in scarlet dye to give him some sunburn and rough-looking skin. He was given some other finishing that you can see here.
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Sherry sketched patterns for colors on the drawing of the masks, and set me to work applying a neutral base color with some bright color accents in the patterns she had sketched.
Sherry sketched patterns for colors on the drawing of the masks, and set me to work applying a neutral base color with some bright color accents in the patterns she had sketched.
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The next day they were painted with a shimmery acrylic paint that accented the color and made them shine a bit on stage.
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They were not too elaborate because we didn't want them to conflict with the brightly colored and patterned costumes the birds were wearing.
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They were not too elaborate because we didn't want them to conflict with the brightly colored and patterned costumes the birds were wearing.
