Downloadable
Shark Mask Pattern
for Paper Mache
$12
This shark mask pattern creates all the shapes for you, making it a breeze to create.
But watch out! Those teeth make this mask super scary – but put it on, and you’ll be the life of the party. The real challenge? Convincing everyone you made it yourself. 🙂
Plus, you can also use the pattern to craft a striking wall sculpture, adding a one-of-a-kind touch to your decor.
How to Make Your Shark Mask:
Print the pattern and put it on cereal box cardboard.
Cut out the pieces and tape them together. Instructions are included with the pattern.
Add one layer paper mache, using your choice of paper and paste.
Paint your shark mask with a few colors of acrylic paint.
Finished size – About 10 inches (25.4 cm) high (including the open mouth), 7.6 inches (19.3 cm) wide and 16.7 inches (42.4 cm) deep. It will fit an adult head, but the size can be changed by printing the pattern larger or smaller.
When used as a wall sculpture, it is about 11 inches (27.94 cm) deep.
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.
Note: If you’ll be saving your pattern to and iPhone or iPad, those devices like to hide your downloaded 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. 🙂
$12
Watch the Videos Below to See How to Use the Shark Mask Pattern:
Taping the shark mask…
This video shows you how all the pieces of the shark mask go together. This is a fairly easy pattern, but cutting out all those teeth will take some patience. 🙂
Taping the back to use the shark as a wall sculpture…
In this video, we put a back on the shark instead of the cap that would let you wear the shark as a mask. I also played around with a small amount of foil to make the shark look angry. This is totally unrealistic, of course, but I though it would be fun. Just skip that step if you want a more realistic shark.
How I painted my shark mask…
In this video, the paper mache is already dry, and it’s time to start painting. I only used four colors, and painted the shark mask directly over the paper mache without a coat of gesso or primer. I was trying for a slightly grungy look – a shark who had been around for awhile, and had a few scars to prove it. That is, admittedly, a little weird, so you will probably choose a different approach. ?
Easy way to make really big masks more comfortable to wear:
To make your shark mask you will need:
- The Pattern
- Access to a Printer
- Copy paper or full-sheet labels (I always use the labels)
- Glue stick if using copy paper instead of the labels
- Cardboard from 5 standard-sized cereal boxes or 9 letter-sized sheets of light chipboard.*
- If you’re making a wall sculpture, you’ll need 4 cereal boxes and some corrugated cardboard from a recycled box
- Sharp scissors for cutting cereal box cardboard, and a box cutter for the corrugatd cardboard, if you’re using it.
- Clear plastic tape and masking tape Note: Don’t use disappearing gift wrap tape – it isn’t strong enough.
- Very small amount of Aluminum foil
- One 1″ foam ball for the eyes
- Glue gun
- I recommend the paper strips and paste for a mask, and the paper mache clay for a wall sculpture. (Find recipes here)
- Acrylic paint and varnish
- Shoelaces or elastic straps to hold the mask in place when you’re wearing it
* If purchasing cardboard in place of the cereal boxes, it will be sold as “light chipboard.” Medium or heavy chipboard is too stiff to bend well.
$12
When you finish your shark mask…
We would really love to see how it comes out. Please visit the Daily Sculptors page and upload some photos. 🙂
Do you have a question or need help with your pattern?
There are two ways to contact me: The fastest way to get an answer is to leave a comment below. I read all comments and answer them as soon as I can, usually within a few hours. One of my readers might also chime in to help – we have a very supportive community here on this site.
If you prefer to reach me privately, you can send me an email.
I get a ton of spam and I don’t want your email to get lost, so please put “paper mache” in the subject line so your email won’t be accidentally deleted. If you don’t hear back from me within 24 hours, assume the cyberspace gremlins ate your email, and try again.
Some of the sharks that have been made with this pattern:
(If you’d like to show off your own shark mask after it’s done, click here. 🙂 )
Hello, I am a costume designer working on a television pilot and we need a shark head just like this one for a party scene we are filming on Friday. Do you have any paper-mache shark masks that you have already made that you would be willing to sell to me? I can also send a FedEx label to you in order to ship it to us quickly. Unfortunately I do not have the time to make one, though I wish I had come across this website sooner because this is exactly what we need! Please feel free to email me in the attached email address with any follow-up questions. Thank you and I look forward to hearing back from you!
Hi Maeve. I gave my shark mask to a little girl – her dad was doing some work on my electric wires, and said his daughter would love to have it. Perhaps you could find a volunteer in your town – one of your high school art teachers might be able to do it after school this week. The pieces create all the shapes, so it shouldn’t take them very long to make it. Good luck with it. I hope our TV pilot is a huge success!
Hi Joni,
Great template thank you! I’m making this for my son’s Halloween costume and was wondering what type of paper do you use for the shark and which received for the paper mache you like best for the shark thanks!
Hi Rebecca. I like using the brown paper that comes crumpled inside amazon.com boxes, but mostly because it’s free. Newspaper works just fine for paper mache. I like the cooked flour and water paste recipe – you can find that recipe here.
Have you heard of anyone having success modifying the inside is it’s less wobbly on a child? I’m making this for my 7 year old daughter for Halloween. I’ve got the whole thing taped together and tried your hat trick but it wasn’t working for her. I also am trying to make it so it fits without the tie as she doesn’t like things under her chin. I’ve found some suggestions online like making a counterbalance weight or using foam on the inside but nothing that is an actual tutorial. I’m scared to modify the back cap part myself for fear I’ll not be able to put it together successfully.
Wondering if the version you mentioned with the shorter back (that pushed the face out towards the front) would work better. Curious if you have any thoughts before I start the oaper mache!
(Also, love you videos and your patterns — you’re so talented and I’m really impressed!)
Hi Kate. I haven’t tried using a strap inside, like I did on the oversized pit bull mask, but it might work for you. You can see how I added a strip on the inside to keep that mask in the right place – it starts at the 12:21 mark on the first video on this page. Just scroll down a bit to see it.
Thank you! Just watched and I’m going to try it. 🙂
Thank you so much! It was super helpful. I added the strip on the front and it made a big difference when I tried it on, but it was wobbly when I tried it on my daughter’s head. I ended up adding another strip on the back (using the same method that you shared. It looks like a ring it did the trick! Can’t wait to add the paper mache. 🙂
Excellent! I’m glad you got it to work. 🙂
Could I print this a bit smaller? I would like to mount it facing upwards on a hat, but I think the current size might be a bit too large.
Thanks.
Yes, you can print it smaller. If all the pages are printed at the same percent, the pieces will fit. Have fun with it! 🙂
I looked for light chipboard on Amazon and there are multiples (of course) of different weights, 20pt, 22pt, 30pt. Which do you recommend for this mask?
Thanks.
The last ones I bought are 22 pt. It’s strong enough and it bends nicely. The 30 pt would be too stiff, I think.
Thank you.
I love your patterns and tutorials! How do you build the backs to the sculptures and mount them on the wall securely?
That’s great Jonni-several grandkids of mine would love this…..not only boys either!
Thanks, Eileen! Your grandkids must not be as wimpy as I am. 🙂
I think kids will love the shark mask! I only had boys and I know they would have loved it. A possible costume could have the dorsal fin (padded), pectoral fins (padded) covering the tops of the hands with the sleeve openings underneath. Maybe the tail (padded) could have a wrist loop to hold it up while walking (like a dress train). Great job Jonni!
Great ideas, Teri! I wonder if that could be done with grey onesie pajamas as the base? I think they even make them for adults now. Except they don’t have tails, of course – but the wrist look idea is definitely interesting. 🙂