Scaled Dragon Mask For A Masquerade Wedding

[Eirewolf]

I got a custom order from a groom-to-be who would be having a masquerade wedding. He liked my existing Ram's Horned Dragon masks, but wanted more detailing in the face. Some of the best changes can come from a customer request! I've been meaning to add scale details to that design anyway, and this was the perfect time to do it.

The scales down the middle of the face, around the eyes, and along the jawline (as well as the horn details) were all carved, while the rest of the scales were embossed into the leather with a stylus.

The first pictures are of the wedding mask. The red one is the same design done for practice before the commissioned one.

[Ladykahu]

Love the shades of pearlesense on the white one, very nicely done!

Natalie

[Eirewolf]

Thank you Natalie! I used Metallic / Iridescent White Liquitex acrylic paint for that.

[boma]

Thanks for sharing.They are impressive and elegant,including the butterfly .

[AndrewMc]

Love how you've done the horns and the colours are great.

[leatheroo]

love these masks!!

[mrdabeetle]

Do you finish the back side of the leather when you make a mask? If so, what method do you use? These are great looking. The white is excellent! The scales are definitely a significant improvement over the plain masks.

[Eirewolf]

Thank you everyone!

mrdabeetle, I burnish the back of the mask after I case it but before I carve and shape it, to smooth down the roughness as much as possible. I don't dye or paint the back, except around the edges and the back of horns or any other part that may show. I seal the whole mask front and back with Acrylic Resolene after dyeing it, and I seal it again with Fiebing's Leather Sheen Acrylic Finisher (after painting it, if I paint). When I sell a mask, I include a strip of sticky-back felt so that my customers can customize the fit somewhat.

I've only been doing this for about a year, so I don't know if I'm doing everything "right"... if ever someone has a suggestion for my improvement, I will be in your debt!

[dirtclod]

Great job on your mask !!!

[AndyL1]

These are so cool! I love the way you did the scales with just an impression and no cuts. Very realistic!

Andy

[Eirewolf]

Thank you! I have to say, the impressions are quite a bit easier than cuts too, and I prefer the way they look for certain things. I didn't want to carve the entire face, not only because it would take a long time, but also because I wanted some contrast, with certain details standing out more than the rest.

[Mrs Barry Hicks]

Oh wow! That is really nice! I love the overall look and feel of the mask. The scales worked out beautifuly imo. Great job!

[DoubleC]

I got a custom order from a groom-to-be who would be having a masquerade wedding. He liked my existing Ram's Horned Dragon masks, but wanted more detailing in the face. Some of the best changes can come from a customer request! I've been meaning to add scale details to that design anyway, and this was the perfect time to do it.

The scales down the middle of the face, around the eyes, and along the jawline (as well as the horn details) were all carved, while the rest of the scales were embossed into the leather with a stylus.

The first pictures are of the wedding mask. The red one is the same design done for practice before the commissioned one.

Beautiful work. I like the way you carved some and not others to make them really stand out. Cheryl

[Eirewolf]

Thank you so much!