Guide: Crafting a Mick Thomson Slipknot Mask

Determine whether to buy a pre-made mask base or craft your own. If you opt to construct the mask base following the steps outlined here, you'll have a mask tailored to your face, allowing you to focus on shaping the Mick Thomson mask atop it. Alternatively, you can bypass this step and purchase a plastic face mask from a craft or toy store. If you choose this route, take note of any areas on the mask that feel too snug. This information will aid you in the subsequent crafting stages.

• If you have assistance, you can opt to create a plaster mask instead.

Construct an aluminum foil stack. Lay down eight to ten layers of aluminum foil, forming a rectangle large enough to cover your entire face. While it may seem excessive, a thinner stack is prone to tearing during mask creation.

• Given the Mick Thomson mask's tall, exaggerated jaw, use foil extending beyond your chin for ample workspace.

Crinkle and flatten the foil. Give the foil a textured appearance by lightly crumpling it, then flatten it out again. Create some peaks by pressing in from the sides; there's no need to ball it up.

Mold the foil onto your face. Gently press the foil onto your entire face, ensuring it conforms to each feature, resulting in a 3D outline.

Shape the mask. Begin by cutting out the eye holes. Use a mirror to guide your cuts with a sharpie. Aside from the eye holes, make the following cuts:

• Create a straight line above the forehead, or opt for a rounded one if you lack Mick Thomson's lengthy hair.
• Divide the mask into two sections by cutting it along the upper lip, providing better control over each part's shape.

Form the mask. Don the top portion of the mask and shape the foil beneath the nose and around the nostrils. Sculpt the lower half along the jawline, extending the chin downwards in a tapered rectangle to emulate Mick Thomson's mask.

Secure the mask with tape. Use masking tape to hold the layers of aluminum together around your face's entire outline. Reattach the two halves of the mask now that the nose and jaw are sculpted more accurately. Proceed to the next section to transform your face mask into something fit for a Slipknot concert.

Prepare your materials. Procure plaster cloth or plaster tape from a craft store. Cover a table with newspaper to catch any spills, then arrange your mask base, a cup of water, and the plaster cloth. Place the cup of water between the other items or to the side to prevent dripping onto the unused plaster cloth.

Soak a strip of plaster cloth in water. Dip the cloth gently into water, then squeeze out excess moisture by running it along the cup's edge as you remove it. This method reduces the likelihood of the cloth bunching up and removes excess water that can lead to messiness and prolonged drying time.

Apply the cloth to the mask. Place the wet strip of plaster cloth onto any part of your mask base. Smooth it over the surface until it's even and the fibers lie flat against the base. If the strip starts drying before smoothing, add water with your fingertips. Absorb any pooled water with a paper towel. Use less water for subsequent strips to prevent the plaster from washing away. Trim off any frayed edges if the cloth tears or leaves loose strings.

Apply plaster cloth to cover the entire mask base. Add more layers of plaster cloth to the entire surface of the mask base until it's covered with two or three layers. Once dried, you can remove it from the foil base and use it as a more durable and comfortable mask.

Trim and dry the mask. Use an awl or hole punch to create holes above the ears for wearing and small holes for nostrils. Let the mask dry until it no longer feels cold to the touch. If you're using a pre-made mask, refer to the next step before proceeding to the next section.

Reshape the mask (optional). If you're using a pre-made mask base instead of one customized to your face, adjust it while the plaster is still wet. Bend areas like the nose or chin that are too small, and reshape the mask using new wet strips of plaster cloth.

Refer to reference pictures. Transform the basic mask into Mick Thomson's iconic visage. Keep multiple images of his mask for reference while you work, ensuring accuracy and consistency in your design.

• Mick Thomson has sported various mask designs over time, so choose your favorite and stick to reference pictures of that particular model to avoid confusion.

Create the nose. For Mick Thomson-style masks, the nose typically features a raised, rectangular bridge with flat and sharply angled sides. You can achieve this by using corrugated cardboard squares as a base to save time and reduce weight. Tape them together to form the desired shape and cover with plaster cloth until the cardboard is no longer visible.

Shape the cheekbones and cheeks. These areas of the mask also consist of flat, angled sections. Build up the cheekbones with overlapping strips, gradually thickening them towards the front. Create a noticeable angle transition between the cheekbones and cheeks by adding plaster to the top of the cheeks beneath the cheekbones and pressing them into a sharp angle.

Install the mouth vents. Utilize triangular strips of plaster cloth, pinched together at one end, to construct the vertical strips resembling metal between the mouth vents.

Enhance with additional details (optional). You can make further adjustments to replicate features like furrowed brows or raised eyelid corners. Remember to build up the plaster cloth around these features. You can choose to add these finer details in subsequent steps.

Allow the mask to dry. Let the mask dry completely until it no longer feels cool to the touch. Due to the presence of thick plaster sections, drying may take several days depending on environmental factors and plaster moisture.

Apply paint to the mask. Use a paintbrush to coat the mask with metallic silver paint. Once the first coat is dry, use black or dark grey paint to fill in the mouth vent and accentuate the furrows around the eyes, cheekbones, and cheeks. Proceed once this paint has dried completely.

Attach a strap for wearing the mask. Thread a heavy string through each side hole to enable wearing. To wear the mask, tie the loose ends of the strings together behind your head.