Mask Making: Marvel's Venom
Hi there!
Welcome to the next episode of our annual Countdown to Halloween, this week we're making Venom to celebrate the release of the second movie!
I love my slimey alien boy so you bet I worked out a way to turn him into a mask :D
It also served to keep my jealousy down for everybody in the US who got to see the movie first lol. How dare u.
Anyway, this mask is of course a bit of a large project, so it's perfect for our Countdown, where we take on more complex builds.
Obviously the biggest challenge this time was the sheer size of his head, as well as the very pronounced 3D effect with not only an open mouth, but the tongue sticking out rather far. After a little back and forth planning I came up with the solution of putting the actual mask inside the mouth and build up the skull around it.
This way, you're looking out through the teeth instead of through the actual eyes, which are too far up anyway. Of course visibility is low in this mask, but imo that's better than not seeing anything and just accepting the fate of a full on closed helmet mask.
And if you're tall, a head that rests even higher than yours will make your alien appearance even better =)
Contrary to the other masks, I went in with a pretty detailed plan and some sketches, some of which were made right after the first movie had come out. This project had been sitting in the ideas folder for a while :D
During the actual build, the size was once again a little bit of a worry in handling it safely, but that was only until the tongue was firmly in place. After that, I used it as a handle to move the mask around lol
Masks that hade such a big 3D effect have to be assembled a bit differently, so whatever you try to make in that regard, remember to always build up the inside of the mouth early on.
Something that I didn't show on video was making the teeth, because on the one hand it's literally making small triangles for hours, and on the other hand I made them while watching TV upstairs.
If you want to give your mask the certain something to finish, you can also spray it with clear high gloss spray paint or just paint the tongue with clear nail polish.
So I hope you had fun watching this video and maybe making your very own Venom :D See you again next week for the grand finale of our Countdown to Halloween!
As always, below is all the info you need on the project. The material list features affiliate links, so if you want to buy the exact materials I'm using, click on the link and help out my channel :D
This time I also assembled a parts list, summarizing all the pieces you need.
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parts list:
1 mask base
1 face „shell“ - a basic mask shape without eyes and nose
2 chin pieces (one each for upper and lower jaw)
6 strips of 4mm cardboard (3 each left and right)
(as many as you can stand to make) polymer clay teeth
material:
mask base of choice
either use this one here: (US link https://amzn.to/3vpuePB ) (DE link https://amzn.to/3vtEcj3 )
or make your own mold with this video: • How to make a custom face mold!
cardboard clay
(learn how to make it in this video: • How to make Easy Cardboard Clay )
masking tape
packing paper
styrofoam pieces (optional, you can substitute paper)
PVA glue / wood glue (US: https://amzn.to/3BsbdzM DE: https://amzn.to/3wtJrAr)
hot glue
white polymer clay (US: https://amzn.to/315LrUK or DE: https://amzn.to/3Bv1uYX )
rubber band (extra wide if you can get it, otherwise use two bands crossing at the back of the head)
white spray paint (optional)
acrylic paints
tools:
craft knife
scissors
plastic tools to sculpt clay
plastic surface for clay (I'm using an old bucket lid)
an oven if you use polymer clay
hot glue gun
brushes
glossy varnish (you can also use clear nail polish)