Easy Pattern for a Paper Mache
Lion Mask or Wall Sculpture
$12 for the downloadable pattern
Use the pattern to create a helmet-style mask, and discover how it would feel to be a lion for a few hours.
Or you can display the lion on your wall or create a treasured gift for someone who loves these big, beautiful cats.
How to make your lion mask:
My downloadable PDF Patterns come with full instructions.
There’s no waiting for your pattern to arrive, and no shipping costs, so you can start on your project right away.
Click here if you’d like to know more about how the patterns are delivered. (If you’ll be saving your pattern to and iPhone or iPad, they do tend to hide your files. You can scroll down this page to see how to find them.)
And remember – if you have any problems downloading your files or putting your pattern together, just let me know. I’m always happy to help. 😀
Two ways to use your lion mask:
You can use all the pattern pieces and create a helmet-style mask to wear at a fancy-dress party or for Halloween.
Or leave off the cap portion, and use your lion as a display mask. It looks fantastic on a wall.
Two ways to make your lion’s mane:
Create a sculpted mane with cardboard, paper towels and paste (it’s easy, and the inistructions are included in the downloadable file).
Or make a custom mane with a softer material, like yarn or raffia. To see how I made the lion at the top of the page with its raffia mane, watch the second video below.
Two ways to finish your mask:
You can use paper strips and paste, or use Jonni’s paper mache clay recipe, as shown in the first video below. For the recipes, click on the Blog/Art Library link at the top of the site.
Finished size: Helmet-style mask – about 15.5 inches (39 cm) high, 13 inches (33 cm) wide and 12 inches (30 cm) deep. About 7.5” deep (17 cm) if built as a wall display mask.
$12 for the Downloadable Pattern
Getting started with the first few pieces:
The nose and mouth are the hardest pieces to tape – so, naturally, I make you do those first. 🙂
How to create a mane with a raffia table skirt:
How to sculpt fur texture on a cardboard mane…
To make the lion mask you will need:
- Standard letter size paper (8.5” x 11”) or A4 paper (210 × 297 mm) or full-sheet labels for printing the pattern.
- Cardboard
- Glue stick, if printing on copy paper instead of labels
- Box cutter or craft knife
- Tape
- Hot glue gun (if making a custom-made mane with a soft material like raffia or twine)
- Paper strips and paste, or paper mache clay
- Paper towels (to add texture to a sculpted mane*)
- Acrylic paint and varnish
To paint the lion masks I used:
- Liquitex Super Heavy Gesso (for the lion with a sculpted mane) and DIY gesso made with drywall joint compound and Elmer’s glue (for the lion with raffia mane – the recipe is in the Art Library, the link is at the top of the page)
- Acrylic Paint (Yellow Ochre, White, Black, Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber, “Sunkissed Peach” craft paint (a soft pink I had on hand), Cadmium Orange and Cadmium Red Light (for the nose)
- For the mask with a sculpted mane I used Golden Acrylic Glazing Liquid mixed with Burnt Umber to bring out the texture in the mane.
- Matte Acrylic Varnish
If you’re using a soft custom-made mane, you may need different colors to match the material you choose.
$12 for the Downloadable Pattern
Lions created with this pattern:
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Do you have a question or need help with your pattern?
If you have a question about putting your pattern together or painting it, leave a comment below or on the Daily Sculptors page. I read all comments and answer them as soon as I can, usually within a few hours. Some of my readers might ideas for you, too — we have a very supportive community on this site.
Olá boa tarde ! eu gostaria de saber quando fizer a compra como vai m enviar e qual o “valor em rel brasileiro”.
O molde que que gostaria seria o de leão de parede do segundo video !
Hi Jonni.
Do you sell your finished paper mache masks?
No, I don’t – but if you need one but don’t have time to make it yourself, a local artist should be able to use the pattern to make one for you.