Description/Objective
Students gain an awareness of how artists exaggerate facial features to express emotion. They make a mask with exaggerated features based on the Maurice Sendak book, Where the Wild Things Are.
Time
Two, 1-hour sessions
Materials
First Session
Book - Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (library)
Clay (regular potter's clay - 25 lb. Bag, or approximately 1 lb. per student)
Tin foil (approximately two 12"x12" sheets per student)
Plastic mask molds are best to use. (Purchase from an art supply store. These can be re-used.) Oval shaped paper plates can also be used (purchase at the grocery store)
Second Session
Starch
Old paint brushes (1"-2" thick) (1 per student)
Various color tissue paper cut into 2" x 2" squares (___ per student)
Feathers, raffia, beads, tiny shells, sequins, etc.
White Glue or glue gun with glue sticks
Procedure
First Session
1. Read to the class the book Where the Wild Things Are.
2. Discuss how the illustrator has made the "Wild Things" look wild. Some examples are exaggerating the size of features such as the mouth or teeth and using unexpected color, such as the yellow eyes. Ask the students what kind of feeling they get looking at the "wild things". Do they seem funny, scary, happy, etc.? Allow time for visualization.
3. Ask students to imagine what they would look like as a "wild thing", and whether they would want to be funny, scary, etc. Allow time for visualization.
4. Pass out mask molds and have the children cover them snugly with tinfoil. For younger students, cover masks in advance.
5. Once covered, students create their "wild thing's" features out of clay and press them onto the foil covered mask. Ask students to think about which features they want to exaggerate and how.
6. When features are complete cover the clay snugly with foil.
Second Session (Adult or parent helpers with younger children may be necessary to facilitate this session).
1. Students choose a color of tissue paper for the skin of their "wild thing". Using starch and a thick paint brush, place 2"x2" tissue squares on mask and "paint" onto the foil and clay covered mold. Each new piece of tissue should overlap the previous. Two coats of skin color should be applied.
2. Tissue colors for the eye, nose, mouth, etc. are selected and cut or ripped out, then collaged over the skin color. Students choose contrasting colors so they will show on the skin color.(Students may need to review the color wheel).
3. When tissue is dry or a little damp, feathers, raffia, beads, etc. are glued on for detail.
4. Finished masks are peeled off tin foil and clay.
Subject Matter Integration
LANGUAGE ARTS: Creative writing is integrated well with this project. Have students write a story about their "wild thing" - where it lives, what it eats, and what it does for fun. Cooperative groups of students could make up plays to go with their masks.
Variations/Extensions
1. The same project can be done using plaster strips to make a "cast" or paper mache' instead of tissue paper. Plaster strips can be purchased at a medical supply store.
2. Clay masks can be made and decorated by eliminating the second layer of tinfoil and tissue covering. Decoration of the clay may include paints.