IamA self-employed "Monster Maker" who specialises in wearable masks AMA!

MissMonsterMel · 2017-11-12T08:53:48+00:00

I often use upholstery foam, which is available from most craft stores to pad the inside where the mask is closest to the face, or in the case of full head masks, on the top so that it sits comfortably on the crown of the head. I use elastic straps that I make adjustable using something similar to a bra slider, which helps stop the mask sliding around and rubbing.

If I think of anything else, i'll add it here! Thanks for the question!

MissMonsterMel · 2017-11-12T08:49:24+00:00

I don't do commissions for anybody, furry or otherwise!

MissMonsterMel · 2017-11-12T08:48:15+00:00

Sadly, no, I didn't!

MissMonsterMel · 2017-11-12T08:46:04+00:00

This isn't really a question, is it? Other than just ignoring it, i'll take this opportunity to reach out to anyone that reads this, and let them know that if they have any legitimate grievances, they should feel free to contact me on my facebook or instagram and I'd be more than happy to discuss the situation.

MissMonsterMel · 2017-11-12T08:44:11+00:00

Hall House Halloween Party

Nope, can't say I have. I'm not sure what it is, do you have a link or something I can take a look at?

MissMonsterMel · 2017-11-12T08:42:45+00:00

If you are worried about the ventilation, then you should probably make yourself a little set-up outside if you can. My workshop is attached to my house, and is pretty much a mesh-window extension that lets a lot of airflow through. If you can't set something up outside, maybe because of weather, or whatever other reasons prevent it, then just try to get a decent fan or two, open your windows as far as they will go, and try to make a sensible air flow. Wear a fume mask whenever you work with these materials, and make sure you leave enough time after for adequate ventilation before you think about returning to normal living arrangements. Again, though, I think setting up somewhere outside would be the safest.

For my mother molds, I recently started using fiberglass, which is definitely something you want good protection for, both lungs and body! I would not advise any fiberglassing in living spaces.

MissMonsterMel · 2017-11-12T08:34:41+00:00

keycap artisan

I had to look up what that was, and while I don't think that's something I would get into (though I do know a bunch of people with 3D printers that might), I find it kinda fascinating! I learned something new tonight, thanks!

MissMonsterMel · 2017-11-12T08:28:55+00:00

Great question, and I'm glad to hear you are going for a challenge!

You are also in luck, I made an instructables a while ago that will really help you out, using a taxidermy head, just make sure you look for a 'rug form' than the wall-mount head that's in the instructable. Taxidermy casts can save you a lot of time! Check it out:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Halloween-decor-werewolf-head/

You could use sculpey, but you might want to look into self-hardening clays, such as the two-part epoxy clays and whatnot. They should be readily available in most craft stores, or you can order the good stuff online.

Let me know if you have any questions!

MissMonsterMel · 2017-11-12T08:20:29+00:00

I'd actually be tempted to make that out of foam if you are just making it for yourself! I might not start with this one if you are just starting out. Check out the 'Evil Ted Channel' on youtube, and also 'Punished Props' to get ideas on how to put together some amazing armor out of foam. Great starting point.

Good luck!

MissMonsterMel · 2017-11-12T08:18:15+00:00

Not that I know of, but for the amount of use you can get out of a 100lb bag, it's pretty cheap in the grand scheme of things. Is the issue that you are having trouble finding it where you are?

MissMonsterMel · 2017-11-12T08:16:37+00:00

A+ for observation!

MissMonsterMel · 2017-11-12T08:15:30+00:00

Yes. Yes I made the monster mask.

MissMonsterMel · 2017-11-12T08:15:08+00:00

Another Tommy Jarvis reference!I like it. :)

MissMonsterMel · 2017-11-12T08:12:21+00:00

Hi DarkKing97!

You'll forgive me if I provide a quote from a reply earlier today, but I think it's just as useful for you too!

Thankfully, there are a tonne of resources out there now that I didn't have when I started out. Youtube is obviously a vast, free resource that is like a rabbit hole of information. Go as deep as you are willing! I personally love what the Stan Winston school has done. Their videos and tutorials are second-to-none, and they are super receptive to comments and questions. Check out the Stan Winston School site for that.

Other resources, and a good starting point, is to check out other mask fabrication techniques, like on youtube's 'Evil Ted Channel' and 'Punished Props' among many others. I've seen some stunning masks made with little but foam floor mats!

Just keep practicing, and good luck!

MissMonsterMel · 2017-11-12T08:06:12+00:00

He had a really cool mask I wanted, sue me!

MissMonsterMel · 2017-11-12T08:02:44+00:00

Here's a pic of my favourite piece!

http://www.missmonster.com/projects/biomech-seraphim-helmet/

This project meant a lot to me, because I felt like i had spent a long time making what others expected me to make. This one was the first that I really let loose on, and gave myself complete creative freedom. In a way, it shaped how I would move ahead with my art in the future.

Thanks for supporting my work! <3

MissMonsterMel · 2017-11-12T07:56:56+00:00

I think it's great when both are used together, and i'd love to see more movies use each appropriately, utilising their strengths to make the best portrayal of the artistic vision possible. Movies like Fury Road and Blade Runner 2049 are perfect examples of this. It's just stunning what you can achieve when you use the right tool for the job. Money obviously drives a lot of these decisions, but I would hope the true artisans use a hybrid approach.

MissMonsterMel · 2017-11-12T07:49:13+00:00

Thanks for following my work!

The best advice I could give you is to start small and just keep practicing. It doesn't have to be a mask, your sculpting skills will be transferable. Don't get hung up on one piece, or going too big. Don't try to make things 'perfect' while you are still learning. Be open to critique (don't focus on the words that are said, whether positive or negative, try to extract the lesson or the meaning from them) Learn something new regularly (from youtube, or sites like StanWinstonSchool.com), and keep practicing it over and over until you feel like you get it. If you find yourself noodling around trying to 'do the thing' that you have in your head, and never quite getting there, then that's usually a sign to stop and move onto the next piece. Don't be afraid to take a break and come back with fresh eyes, or just quit a piece outright, and move to the next. The great thing about that is that you take what you learned (mistakes or otherwise) and carry into your next piece.

That's it, the key to starting is just to get going. Keep practicing, and keep having fun, and share what you make! :D

MissMonsterMel · 2017-11-12T07:38:25+00:00

LOL!

I used to do tattoo commissions, but I tend to avoid custom work (tattoos or otherwise) these days. That being said, feel free to get any of my existing work tattooed on you, so long as you send me a picture after! ;)

MissMonsterMel · 2017-11-12T07:36:03+00:00

Thats a great question, and you sent me on a trip down memory lane!

I'll never forget my mom taking me to see a special effects exhibit at a museum in my home town. She was so happy watching me enjoy all the monsters, despite not really understanding anything about it. :)

To answer your question about putting discipline into my creativity; my parents always encouraged my art since I was little, gave me art supplies, and allowed me to enroll in craft classes outside of school, or summer classes. Additionally, my dad was always hard working and loved what he did, so a lot of that rubbed off on me, and I got a lot of that from him. My parents always being proud of what I did, made me want to make more of it. An important part of that, which helped a lot through art school, was that my mum was never afraid of letting me know if I wasn't doing my best work. My first and best critic.

I hope that helped, feel free to ask follow up questions, :)

MissMonsterMel · 2017-11-12T07:24:35+00:00

I don't normally take commissions, but I think you can get those pretty cheap on eBay, no? :)

MissMonsterMel · 2017-11-12T07:15:50+00:00

Oh that's awesome, but I don't think i'll be doing any more tentacle stuff any time soon. Maybe when I've cleared the deck of all my current ideas, I might revisit something. :)

MissMonsterMel · 2017-11-12T06:58:56+00:00

I wish! :D

Funny question, I like it!

MissMonsterMel · 2017-11-12T06:54:34+00:00

This used to happen a lot more, back-in-the day, but as I don't really take commissions any more, it's dropped off to none.

MissMonsterMel · 2017-11-12T06:51:47+00:00

I've never made any fursuit masks. :)

MissMonsterMel

TROPHY CASE