Wednesday, 25 May 2011

My Mask

*Please note, lots of writing if you have not got time the pictures are still pretty good*

Masks! I love masks, they all have an air of mystery don't they? One of my favourite creations would have to be my airsoft mask, I was 14 when I made this and it has been a continuous project throughout my life.
I first thought up the design in a tedious science lesson in secondary school, it started with me doodling some faces and then seeing if I could make them 3D by cutting up my science homework and sticking it together. 
At the time I was very interested in airsoft and decided to make a mask for it, my dad and I put together an aluminium version of my makeshift, homework mask. 
Here's the mask fully welded together, looking a lot better and fully beaten into shape. Beating it into shape was probably the longest process out of the whole project, I spent a good week hammering this mask into shape. 
A week because I had to make both sides identical for them to be welded. The hammering eventually kept my family awake most nights so my father stepped in and helped me. A lot. Without him I think this would have taken me another week...
This is the mask after I gave it's first lick of paint (acrylic), put in the regulation mesh (which I stole a sieve, sorry mum). 
I took it out to an airsoft match with a few mates. I was terrible on this game and got lit up like a Christmas tree, this left a lot of dents (not to mention a mate of mine thought it'd be 'funny' to see if it could take a shot from a 650 fps [third the power of a shotgun] revolver at point blank).
So I modded my comical, smiley mask to a slightly more sinister appeal. This is the most recent design which a friend dubbed 'Sack Head'. Although I do not go to airsoft events anymore, the mask has always been a pleasant reminder of my childhood.
...
And scared the shit out of my girlfriend.

Big Beginner Blogger

Thank you for checking out my first blog, this sketch is of Medusa which I did for a friend to give him some of idea of what I'd do for his album cover. The signature at the bottom 'Smilez', is what I called myself before I left secondary school. This photo is quite old but one of the few I've got saved to my computer at the moment. I will be uploading others soon, all feedback is most appreciated :)