- Dip a strip of newspaper into the paper maché paste so it’s completely soaked from end to end.
- Run your fingers along the length of the strip to remove excess paste.
- Layer it over the Venetian mask template, making sure to smooth out bumps and wrinkles.
- Repeat this process with your newspaper strips until you have completely covered the template.
Full Answer
How to make a Venetian face mask at home?
Dip a strip of newspaper into the paper maché paste so it’s completely soaked from end to end. Run your fingers along the length of the strip to remove excess paste. Layer it over the Venetian mask template, making sure to smooth out bumps and wrinkles. Repeat this process with your newspaper strips until you have completely covered the template.
When did the Venetians start wearing masks?
In Venetian history, masks are officially mentioned for the first time in 1268. The sack of Constantinople in 1204, masks along with the famous bronze horses which are now found inside St Mark’s Basilica, were sent to Venice.
How do you make a paper mache mask?
Cut the newspaper into long strips about 1 inch in width. You’ll need to layer the mask about three times, so make a lot of newspaper strips. The length of the strips doesn’t matter as much as the width, but extremely long strips the length of an actual newspaper page will be unwieldy and messy when soaked in paper maché paste.
How do you make a face mask out of milk jug?
To add strength and body to your mask, dip newspaper strips into the paste to coat, and then place on the milk jug in a horizontal pattern. Add strips in a slightly overlapping manner, continuing across the entire jug.

How do you make a Venetian mask?
Making your own Venetian mask from paper mâché is a fun way to create your own personalized effect....Obtain a Venetian mask template.Load your inkjet printer with the transfer film.Print the template image onto the transfer film.Peel off the plastic cover and press the template image against a piece of cardboard.More items...
What paper is used for Venetian masks?
5. We coat the mold with vaseline, an excellent release agent, and fill the mold with several layers of thin paper cut into pieces and soaked in water and glue. The paper is a special absorbent paper called 'cartalana' (woolpaper) which does not shrink when it dries and keeps the shape imprinted by the mold.
How long does it take to make a Venetian mask?
How to make Venetian masks: how long does it take? To make a proper Carnival of Venice mask from scratch using cartapesta usually takes a long time, but in our mask-making course you can experience the process in one or two hours, which is good even for people visiting Venice in one day.
What materials are used to make Italian masks?
Early Venetian mascareri used a variety of materials, from waxed cloth to canvas, velvet, lace, leather, and papier-mâché. Today, a few mask makers craft masks using leather, glass, and even ceramic.
What are authentic Venetian masks made of?
Venetian masks date back to around the year 1200. The masks were made mainly with the products present at the time, such as paper and glue (papier-mâché), earth and clay (ceramic/plaster), rags, fabric or pieces of animal skin (leather).
What paper do you need to make mask?
Cardstock is going to be the best material to use for your paper mask, but you can also use heavy cardboard or even a sturdy paper plate.
Why do Venetian masks have long noses?
The plague ravaged Venice many times, and this beaked mask was used as a sanitary precaution by actual doctors. The long nose would hold herbs and flowers that would filter the air and cover up the horrible smells of plague victims.
When were Venetian masks banned?
In 1797, with the fall of the Republic of Venice, the Venetian Carnival was banned and masks could no longer be worn on the streets and in public life.
How much is a Venice mask?
This is the reason why Venetian masks have an average cost from 30€ up to 400€, depending on the model you choose from.
How many types of Venetian masks are there?
The main types of Venetian masks are the bauta, moretta, gnaga, medico della pesta, pantalone, arlechino, colombina (see further). Today, costumes worn at the Carnival vary to a certain degree from the original characters and often combine various elements of different origin.
Where are Venetian masks made?
VeniceWe can vouch for the fact that these Venetian Masks are authentic and all hand made in Venice.
Why did people wear Venetian masks?
During the Venice Carnivals in the past the streets of Venice were full of the people wearing masks which allowed them to protect their identity and remove any social differences. Besides, masks allowed a wearer hide his identity during licentious and dissolute activities.
What materials were used to make masks in the past?
Masks Were Made of Gauze or Even More Porous Material In 1918, advanced masks like the N95s that healthcare workers use today were a long way off. Surgical masks were made of gauze, and many people's flu masks were made of gauze too.
What material is used to make surgical masks?
The typical material used to manufacture surgical face masks are polypropylene either spunbond or melt blown. First layer of spunbond polypropylene has a density of 18 GSM to 25 GSM usually of blue, green, pink or white colour.
What are the two main types of mask worn at the Carnival of Venice?
2. The Different Styles of Masks in Venice Have Different Origins and PurposeBautta (also spelled bauta) – this is the most traditional Venetian Carnival mask. ... Moretta (also known as muta) – a black oval mask worn exclusively by women. ... Gnaga – similar to a cat-face, this mask was traditionally worn by homosexual men.
How many types of Venetian masks are there?
The main types of Venetian masks are the bauta, moretta, gnaga, medico della pesta, pantalone, arlechino, colombina (see further). Today, costumes worn at the Carnival vary to a certain degree from the original characters and often combine various elements of different origin.
History of Venetian masks
Most people believed mask production and wearing started in 1162 after the Republic of Venice had a great victory against the patriarch of Aquileia, Ulrico di Treven. After the victory people gathered in San Marco Square and with time this festival official.
Why Venetian Masks are worn
Their function is not limited to the carnival of Venice, the masks have been used for several other occasions.
Types of Venetian masks
There are different types of these masks and they are all in different designs. People wore these masks did it because of different reasons and we are going to explore these types of masks and why the masks were worn.
How Venetian masks are made
In our modern world, the Venetian masks still play a vital role in the tourism industry in Venice. The traditional masks available are not enough so more has to be made to be enough for everyone.
Why did plague doctors wear bird masks
Besides show masks, you might see bird masks that are worn by ancient plague doctors. These plague masks were thought to be useful in defending noxious air that caused the plague in the 1600s. The masks had beaks that stored herbs, spices, and flowers which are scented and give the wrong impression that the doctors are not breathing the toxic air.
