Sculpting for performance masks:

A mask made by a professional performance mask maker is more than a lovely sculpture. A well made performance mask is an actor. It creates a clear impression of the character. It can express a range of emotion. A Ravenwood Performance Mask comes alive on stage.

Alyssa Ravenwood is a mask performer and director with first hand experience in what makes a mask work onstage. That knowledge plus over 20 years of experience as a theatrical mask maker shows in the expressive quality of these masks.
"In addition to conveying a vivid impression of each character in this stylized show, these masks were lovely works of art.” - Portland Drama Critics Circle, Drammy Award for Best Mask Design 2004

Custom made masks can be sculpted to suit the action of your play and even take blocking into consideration. For example the Dashing Capitano mask was designed to look angry in profile when facing his father Proud Capitano and romantic when facing his girlfriend the Soubrette.

I was inspired to create this page after working with another artist’s masks in a Commedia production. The theatre company hired me to train their actors in Commedia. They asked me to make their masks but I was away filming on location. I referred them to two other mask makers. I knew one of the mask makers. I knew that his masks were expressive, well made and comfortable. They cost more than mine. The other artist’s work I had never seen in person but online the sculptures looked expressive. They cost less than mine. A lot less. This was the deciding factor for that theatre company. They chose the cheaper masks.

I was excited. I am a fan of masks and I love getting to see new masks in person. I was also curious. I base my prices on how much time it takes me to make them and the cost of materials. My clients are mostly cash strapped theatre companies and schools. I do what I can to make my masks affordable for them. So I was curious to see how this mask maker could afford to sell these masks, made from the same materials as mine, at a lower cost.

It’s true. You do get what you pay for. The sculpting did live up to the promise they showed on the website. The faces were expressive. The sculptures had character. It was all the details you can’t see on a website where the time saving measures and shoddy workmanship showed up. The masks were very uncomfortable. They were cast so thick that the neoprene was no longer flexible. They pinched the actor’s faces. The edges of the masks were not sanded. The masks were advertised as padded but the padding consisted of one thick chunk of foam glued to the forehead. This had the opposite effect of what padding is supposed to achieve. It pushed the mask into the eyes and mouth. The elastic was glued directly to the mask and the mask maker was skimpy with the elastic. Everyone’s elastic was too tight. I had to remove all the straps and replace them. If I had not been there the director would not have known how to do this without damaging the masks.

My curiosity was answered. This person was willing to cut corners where I was not.

Over the years I have had many clients tell me they considered purchasing some of the lower cost masks available. They kept coming back to my website because they could see the quality of the sculpting and painting in my work.

I have created this page so you can also see the quality that lies behind the sculpture and painting. I appreciate that my clients are people who value and recognize beautiful art and fine craftsmanship. My art helps you create your art. That is important to me.

-Alyssa Ravenwood

Painting for performance masks:

Portrait Style Painting: The quality of the sculpting and painting on Ravenwood Performance Masks is what most people notice first. The painting on a Ravenwood Performance Mask is a labor intensive process similar to painting a fine art portrait. Multiple colors are blended together in several layers to create highlights, shadows and depth. This creates a richly colored painting that brings out the quality of the sculpture.

This portrait painting style is beautiful but also has a practical purpose. Like a stage makeup, the highlights and shadows help the mask’s expression project on a stage. In comparison, a one color mask does not show as much detail onstage. In photographs for publicity, posters, and grant proposals the Ravenwood portrait style of painting makes your images stand out and get noticed.

If you are performing in an indoor theatre under stage lights the portrait style painted masks are recommended. The traditional one color Commedia masks were used in outdoor performances in the bright sunlight. Onstage, indoors the one color/color wash masks do not show as much detail and expression as the portrait style painting.

Color Wash: In some performances a more traditional Commedia mask or a historical masquerade mask look may be desired. Color wash in brown or black evokes the look of a period 17th century leather mask. The mask is painted one color with a darker wash to bring out the contours. The black is solid black. This style of painting is also less labor intensive and is offered at a lower cost. To help lower production costs you can mix and match, placing lead characters in portrait style painting and minor characters in a color wash.

“First of all let me say how incredible the masks look! You do impeccable work. When you see the two sister masks next to each other it really helps define their characters and the beast has so many great details. Thank you again for working with us and putting the amount of artistry and craftsmanship into your work. It really shows.”
– Adam S., Suwanee, Georgia. Custom Mask Design For “The Masque of Beauty and the Beast.”

Protection:
All masks are sealed with several coats of a non-toxic varnish. Performance masks are sealed with a matte finish to avoid glare under theatre lights. Masquerade masks are sealed with a gloss finish to attract attention during a party or parade.

Neoprene Performance Masks:

Strap – The strap is ½ inch black elastic with a fully adjustable metal tri-glide slide. It is easy to adjust and readjust the mask for a comfortable fit that will not slip during performance. The elastic is NOT glued to the mask. It is sewn through loops, making it easy to replace worn-out elastic.

Fit – A custom blend of flexible and semi-rigid neoprene creates a mask that will hold it’s own shape when displayed but can flex with the actor’s face.

Durability – Neoprene masks are tough. Neoprene is a synthetic rubber that is strong and durable. We have masks made in 1992 that are used regularly in performances and workshops and they still look great. Unlike latex masks, neoprene does not decay.
Please see the mask care page for details on caring for your mask.

Reinforcement – Neoprene masks are reinforced with leather at high stress areas to give added strength under performance conditions. See photo below.

Comfort – Neoprene masks are padded on the forehead and under the eyes with a soft padded fabric or closed cell rubber padding. The fabric is custom cut to fit each individual mask. The fabric also helps with sweat absorption. Larger masks and masks with deep sculptural elements are padded with 1/4 inch thick closed cell rubber padding. The edges of the mask are sanded smooth for beauty and comfort. See photo below for fabric padding.

Display: Masks are easy to display on a wall. Place two push pins temple-width apart. Hang from the loops on the sides of the mask. See photo below.

Vacuuformed Masks:

Vacuuformed masks are made from strong ABS plastic. These are durable, lightweight masks. Vacuuformed masks hold their own shape which makes them great masks for traveling.

Pictured Below: Papered Vacuuform Butterfly Masquerade Mask.
Detail showing red and gold decorative paper with painted embellishments