I really recommend you don't use real animal to make these. Faux fur and leather are just as good, are cheaper and don't support fur and leather trade.

Yes I understand as an animal lover myself, its true and I do agree in most cases, If I hadn't already had the pelt I would have used faux fur.

The leather on the other hand is much harder to replace. 8 oz leather is over 1/8'' thick, and due to the vegetable tanning process will retain its shape when wet and heat treated. It creates a product that is durable and will last for generations. While I have looked for an alternative in faux leather that can be molded and tooled similarly, I have been unable to find a replacement.

The leather that I use is a byproduct of the beef industry, and while I don't support the industry treatment of animals, I feel that it is better to use as much of the animal as possible instead of letting it go to waste. The hide that I already have will continue to be turned into art, but I am continuing to look for a suitable replacement material.

Please, I am open to discussion and recommendations.

I see, and I understand where you're coming from with the use every part and not let go to waste but I still say its supporting the act. I didn't know leather could be molded like that to get the shape needed for your masks also, maybe a thin type of paper mache, although I understand it wouldn't be as good as leather, hmm. Sorry I came over a bit rudely with my last comment, just heated up over some footage I'd seen and comments made by others.

No harm done. I understand and appreciate your concern and support the use of faux materials whenever possible. I also understand that it is a terse subject in general, but especially around people who share a deeper appreciation or love of animals. I truly appreciate the fact that you did not blow me off, even if you disagree with me. I did some research before beginning to work in this medium, and feel I am doing my best to work as ethically as I can.

I was skeptical myself when I read a tutorial on molding leather, so I researched types of leather, supply sources and tannery's. I surprisingly found a U.S. based company that seemed more ethical than many other suppliers often based in foreign countries with less stringent animal legislation laws. I also learned that the type of leather I would be using did in fact come as a by-product of the meat farming industry as opposed to calves or animals raised for their skins alone.

Leather so far has yielded the highest quality, durability, and comfort from my experiments so far, but I do plan to continue looking for alternatives.

I have tried a paper mache mask but had problems with retaining the shapes while drying, and sweat, also I must say was not very comfortable. I tried an acrylic sealer for the sweat problems which worked alright when accompanied with a fabric lining on the back for the comfort issue which didn't do much. The real issue with paper mache was the details to make a shapely mask was exponentially more difficult unless it was a simple mask put together on an individuals face and then it still had creases and folds and didn't give as the face moved.

I have also tried clay... which was so heavy and delicate... especially since I don't have access to a kiln.

and I have experimented with liquid latex molding prosthetics which is extremely difficult to mold and take care of even when you make a clay form for it to dry on, and it is easily destroyed/creased/stuck to itself...

One of these days I plan on trying to build a heat vacu-form press that drops thin sheets of plastic over a mold and sucks out the air, but I don't currently have the funds, space, knowledge, etc. for that. Then I would be able to shape my masks out of clay, produce the actual mask out of plastic, and paint it by hand with acrylics. It may or may not work well at all practically, but I still think It may be a good experiment.

Do you have any thoughts, suggestions or ideas?


P.S. If you read all of this, thank you.

Very nice, love the fur accents.

Thank you very much!

You're quite welcome. Also, I apparently have no problem with making costume bits out of leather, I think the whole debate is kind of silly.

Why thank you for the support. I myself don't have a problem with it, however I do support the use of faux leather for any projects where it is an acceptable substitute.

As a maskmaker myself, i understand just what you mean about it being difficult, if not impossible, to find an acceptable replacement for veg-tanned leather. Also, I think this mask is beautiful, and the fur accents work wonderfully ^.^