Well, I will have to say that this project is really a tedious one. It really requires patience, effort and hardwork. If not, the work cannot be done well.
For the individual mask, I've decided to focus on American Native Mask as American Native Masks are rarely seen in Singapore. Perhaps it is quite unsual to see an American Native Mask which is a face of an animal, but I personally thinks that it is quite unique and cool as most traditional mask are faces of a human. Thus I decided to try something new.
About American Native Masks:
American Native Masks are normally used in ceromonies, religious rituals and dances. It was said that the spirit of the animal that the mask depicts will enter the human whom is wearing thus the people is able to show the animal's power to a certain degree.
There are three different types of Native American masks. One is a single face mask which is just a simple mask. Then there is a mechanical mask that can contain moving parts. For example, this can be eyes that open and shut. The last type is a transformation mask. This is more like two or more masks in one. The outer mask opens up to reveal another mask. The second mask may open up to reveal a third and so on.
Sketching and Colouring:
I must admit that sketching the shape of the mask is very difficult for me. I've made many errors and corrected them many times before it looks fine. By then, one hour have gone. So I have to bring the drawing home to complete the sketching and colouring.
As the original mask is quite plain and not very colourful, I've decided to freestyle a little and to add in new patterns. One idea was to add some elements of Chinese Opera Mask into my American Native Mask. Such as, the lower part of a Chinese Opera Mask will depict a wing shape of a butterfly or bat, so I added this element ( wing shape of a butterfly ) into my American Native Mask. I've also added the pattern of a masquerade mask on the upper part of the mask.
Before and After:
Colouring:
Colouring the mask ( which includes showing tonings ) is a challenge for me. I've tried to explore around with different brighter colours, such as red and blue. At one point during the colouring of the mask, I tried to use blue and green for the beak. However, it turns out that the colour do not match. Both the colours made my mask looks cartoon-like.
Colours of my Mask:
Like most Chinese Opera Masks, the colours of my American Native Masks shows different properties of this animal depicted.
The circled part looks like a crown with yellowish colour. The shape and colour shows royalty.
The circled part shows a mixture of red, orange, light orange and yellow. The mixture of colours actually gives a feeling of fierceness of the animal.
The circled part ( if you look closely ), there are two musical notes. The colour purple and the muscial notes gives a feeling of smoothness and music.
In Conclusion:
Overall, I would say that this Art project is very meaning as the research done really increases my knowledge for this culture ( American Native ). If there is another chance, I would like to have such project work again!
~ Joscelyn Chong :]
Haha! "Cartoon-like" :D
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