Thread: Using a latex mask for a scarecrow head. Need help

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I don't have the paper mache abilities of those of you who've made a pumpkinrotesque scarecrow, so I'm going to take a shortcut. I found this latex mask that I will use instead of using a plastic cauldron as the head. However, it's flimsy and since I plan to light the inside of it, I need to make it stay put.

Normally, I just put masks over a styrofoam wig head, but I can't do that if I want to light it with a low-wattage bulb.

What would you do?

I would imagine you would just want the light to come out of the eyes. If that's the case, I would use LED's to avoid fire danger. you can use two clusters of either LED's or rice lights spun into a circle to enlarge the eye lights.

I am planning on building a witch prop using a latex mask also. I plan on forming the frame for my mask out of chicken wire so I can put a dim light in the mask. I think that will work fine.

Originally Posted by Smaggy

I would imagine you would just want the light to come out of the eyes. If that's the case, I would use LED's to avoid fire danger. you can use two clusters of either LED's or rice lights spun into a circle to enlarge the eye lights.

Actually, I will carve out the mouth with an exacto knife and have a red light come out of the eyes, nose slits, and mouth. I need to put the mask around something solid. I have a big clear rose bowl, but that's glass...it's heavy and breakable. Plus that could be hard to mount.

This is my plan for lighting it.

Any more ideas on how to make a latex mask stiff without a wig head?

plastic gallon milk jug maybe?

Perhaps chicken wire sculpted into a headlike shape?

I Would use leds as well

chicken wire works pretty well for this application, I have a scarecrow with light up eyes I did using a 10 watt bulb inside a burlap and glue head, the wire makes a good foundation. I'd recommend using bright LED with latex too.

I actually just did this last week with a very similar mask. I bought a plastic trick-or-treat pumpkin for $1.00 (get one that is round and uniform). My scarecrow main support frame is a 1” x 2” so I carved a rectangle out of the bottom (actually the side) of the pumpkin. Pull your mask over the pumpkin and slip the whole thing onto the 1” x 2”. After I mount it in the ground I’ll probably put a staple in the top of the head into the wood. Hope this helps.