Step 3: Creating a Face Structure

I built the face up using modelling clay and plunked the eyes and teeth in for two reasons: to see what it will look like (get an idea of the placement for the eyes and mouth), and to give the front of the head a basic shape.

As you can see from the picture, I formed basic eyelids (top and bottom) with the clay over top of the actual eyeballs I would be using (they will be removed after I have done the paper mache step and it dries, allowing me to retrieve them and my clay when I pull off the new paper mask). Having the eyeballs in place now will leave a raised, hollow section in the paper mache mask that I can cut out as an eye socket.

Having the teeth in place before I paper mache will also create a raised area the exact size and shape for the mouth I need to be used as a guideline when I am inserting the teeth for the final time. Since I am covering all of this with tinfoil BEFORE I paper mache, I will be able to retrieve them easily.

Later, I would regret not building up nostrils at this stage, but it is easily fixed while you are adding paper mache later on.