Lesson Objectives

To create dazzling and unique masks with an exciting Mardi Gras sparkle!

Grade Level

4th through 12th Grade

Time Required

45 minutes to 1 hour

Procedure

Notes

• Some plastic masks are very smooth and may require a coat of acrylic gesso to create a painting surface with enough tooth to hold the paint in place and prevent beading of liquid paints. HINT: If you do not have gesso, use steel wool to brush or lightly scratch a tooth surface onto your mask.

• Thin coats of Acrylic Glitter Glaze dry clear. You can use this translucent feature to create effects and new colors, but be careful or your layout sketch lines might show through the glitter glaze. HINT: Use multiple coats of glitter glaze in varying brush directions for even more "twinkle".

• Acrylic Glitter Glaze can be colored or tinted by mixing it with small amounts of Liquid Watercolors. Create dazzling new colors & effects by mixing a variety of colors and paint proportions. You should experiment and try a few tests on scrap paper. HINT: You can also add a little white glue to your mixtures strengthen your paint and final bond.

Steps

1. Sketch a pattern or design with a light marker onto your mask.
2. Mix "a few drops" of Liquid Watercolor with some glitter glaze in a Nancy bottle. Use the Nancy bottle filled with colored or clear glitter glaze to re-trace the sketch lines on your mask and create a raised bead effect. Let dry completely.
3. This raised glitter bead will define your lines and help give your mask more of a 3-D effect. You can add and build up more layers of glitter beading later when your mask is almost complete. You can also use your Nancy bottle glitter glaze to create dots or draw patterns.
4. With your paint brush, carefully paint colored glitter glaze (or clear glitter glaze) into the fill areas of your mask which are not beaded by the Nancy bottles. Let dry.
5. Once you're happy with your painted mask and it's dry, you can coat the entire mask with one overall clear glitter glaze for extra twinkle. Let dry & display.

Tips and Tricks

1. Glitter Glaze can be watered down "slightly" to help it spread thinner.
2. Adding a little White Glue to Glitter Glaze will help it hold a bead better, spread thicker and dry harder.
3. Glitter Glaze can be added to any water based acrylic paint to create a "opaque" glitter paint.
4. Add Glitter Glaze and/or Liquid Watercolors to glues to create your own colored glues or glitter glues.
5. Liquid Watercolors can be "swirled" into a thicker wet coating Glitter Glaze to create marbled effects or a swirled tie dye style pattern.

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