From: "William Hennes" <williamhennes-AT-charter.net>
To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:09:01 -0700
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Giant Skull Mask: pics


Mathieu,

You always AMAZE me with you skill and pure talent!  I love waking up and 
seeing your work!

William


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mathieu René" <creaturiste-AT-primus.ca>
To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 8:06 PM
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Giant Skull Mask: pics


> Thanks a lot Katy,
>
> At first I wanted a very realistic, therefore menacing or at least spooky
> skeleton head.
> Then the process took over, as the roughness of the material imposed less
> tiny details.
> I made the choice of the Paper Mache bark because of time running too
> quickly!
> Had I decided on the usual paper strips approach, I would still be 
> appliying
> them (would have needed 10 very precise layers, since I didn't use a 
> mold)!
> Next time I attempt a BIG mask like this, I'll use clay as a final "skin" 
> on
> the form, as it will be much easier and faster to control the surface,
> especially the symmetry.
> You might notice that my skull mask has a skewed chin to one side.
>
> I didn't plan him to be sad/mournful at all.
> But I guess the character imposed it on me.
> That happens a lot when I work for myself, not much is set in concrete. I
> love to see where things eventually lead. And this approach usually gives 
> me
> better results than if I had spent hours planning the look and trying to 
> get
> to it exactly. Still, when necessary, I can follow my own imposed 
> directions
> to the letter.
> But this was totally about personal fun and experimentation.
>
> It turns out this character is a grotesque, caricature version of the Grim
> Reaper, or Death, in great part due to the proportions the huge head give 
> to
> my entire body, making me look like a dwarf.
> His sad eyes and dumb smile make him more lovable than fearful. When the
> costume is finished with the skeleton staff (probably an articulated 
> puppet
> head) and brass bell (attached to a belt, or in a pocket), I think he'll
> bring more smiles (and dare I hope laughs?) than scurryings-away.
> I was thinking to add shoulder pads at first, to enlarge the shoulder 
> width,
> but now I'm not sure it would be necessary. Ridiculous works for him!
> I better learn a few silly dances!
>
> Still, the multiple-layered final patina will darken-gloom him a bit, not 
> to
> forget the black mesh hiding most of my face. I'm not sure wether or not
> I'll mesh the eye sockets. I will if vision is still acceptable, becayse 
> it
> owuld allow me to keep my eyeglasses on. I'm not at all blind without 
> them,
> but I'd like to appreciate all the sharpness of a Halloween night!
>
> The chin piece (to activate the lower jaw with mine without straps)  has
> proven more problematic than I thought, but the results right now are more
> than satisfactory, and can instantly be put on "neutral" when I need to 
> rest
> my jaw muscles (erquires exagerated movements for full effect).  I 
> couldn't
> glue the chin piece into the mask, as it would have prevented me from
> removing the mask! So I'll probably velcro it.
>
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