Cosmic Shape 78 Mask in the Making

The blank before cuts

Dark Labs Cosmic Shape 78 mask blank from a three-quarter right angle before eye cuts — The Cosmic Shape 78 blank before the eye cuts, viewed from a three-quarter angle.

Dark Labs Cosmic Shape 78 mask blank front view before eye cuts — Front view of the blank, with the face shape and brow still intact.

Dark Labs Cosmic Shape 78 mask blank from a three-quarter left angle before eye cuts — Opposite angle for checking the cheek, brow and head shape before cutting.

This Cosmic Shape 78 mask is being documented as it comes together, starting with the blank stage. At this point the main forms are already carrying the character: the brow, cheek breaks, mouth line and head shape are all there before any paint, hair or finishing work starts to change the read.

A blank like this has to work from more than one angle. The front view shows the overall expression, while the three-quarter views make it easier to judge how the cheek and brow roll around the face. Those forms will matter once the eye openings are cut and the mask starts moving toward the next stages of finish.

Eye cuts started

The eye cuts have now been done. This is one of the first moments where the blank starts to change from a solid sculpted face into something that reads more like the final mask. The openings affect the expression immediately, especially around the brow and upper cheek.

Dark Labs Cosmic Shape 78 mask after eye cuts from a three-quarter right angle — Three-quarter view after the first eye cuts.

Dark Labs Cosmic Shape 78 mask front view after the eye cuts — Front view showing how the eye cuts change the blank expression.

Dark Labs Cosmic Shape 78 mask after eye cuts from a three-quarter left angle — Opposite angle for checking the cut shape against the brow and cheek.

Paint and rub-off before weathering

The next stage is adhesion promoter and paint, with rub-off in key areas before the weathering starts. This gives the mask its first layer of finish while still leaving room for the dirt, age and surface work that will come later.

Dark Labs Cosmic Shape 78 mask front view with adhesion promoter and paint before weathering — Front view with adhesion promoter and paint added, before weathering.

Dark Labs Cosmic Shape 78 mask three-quarter view with rub-off areas before weathering — Rub-off beginning to show in key areas across the forehead, brow and face.

Dark Labs Cosmic Shape 78 mask painted stage from an opposite angle before weathering — Opposite angle before the main weathering pass.

Weathering added

With the paint dry, weathering has been added back into the areas where the rub-off was previously done. The character is really taking shape now. The paint job is ready to be sealed next, then the mask can move on to the hair laying stage.

Dark Labs Cosmic Shape 78 mask front view after dry paint and weathering — Front view after the paint has dried and the weathering has been worked in.

Dark Labs Cosmic Shape 78 mask three-quarter view with weathering in rub-off areas — Three-quarter view showing the weathering where the rub-off had already opened up the finish.

Dark Labs Cosmic Shape 78 mask opposite angle after weathering before sealing — Opposite angle as the character starts to settle into the paint work.

Dark Labs Cosmic Shape 78 mask on the floor showing weathered face and brow detail — Low angle on the mask after weathering, before the paint job is sealed.

Dark Labs Cosmic Shape 78 mask front low angle after weathering — Front low angle showing the darker areas around the eyes, mouth and neck.

Dark Labs Cosmic Shape 78 mask angled low view after weathering — Final angle for this stage before sealing and moving on to laying hair.

Mohair hair laying in progress

Hair laying is now in progress using a mohair blend of fibre. This stage starts changing the whole silhouette of the Cosmic Shape 78, softening the back of the head while the face still carries the paint and weathering work from the earlier passes.

Dark Labs Cosmic Shape 78 mask with mohair blend fibre being laid onto the back of the head — Hair laying in progress, using a mohair blend of fibre on the Cosmic Shape 78.

Styled and ready for the collector

The hair has now been glued on, styled and finished. With the face weathered and the mohair blend worked into shape, the Cosmic Shape 78 is ready to go out to a collector.

Dark Labs Cosmic Shape 78 finished mask front view with styled mohair — Finished front view after the hair has been glued on and styled.

Dark Labs Cosmic Shape 78 finished mask from a front angle with styled hair — Front angle showing the finished hairline, brow and cheek shape together.

Dark Labs Cosmic Shape 78 finished mask from a low front angle — Lower front view, with the styled hair changing the mask silhouette.

Dark Labs Cosmic Shape 78 finished mask from a three-quarter left angle — Three-quarter angle after finishing, showing the face shape and styled hair together.

Left profile showing the finished hair flow around the side and back of the head.

Right profile, with the hair styled back from the temple and around the ear.

Dark Labs Cosmic Shape 78 finished mask close front view with styled hair — Closer front view of the finished mask before it heads out to the collector.

Dark Labs Cosmic Shape 78 finished mask in darker light from a front angle — Darker front angle showing the finished hair and weathered face under moodier light.

Dark Labs Cosmic Shape 78 finished mask in darker light from a three-quarter angle — Three-quarter finished view with the darker presentation bringing out the surface work.

Dark Labs Cosmic Shape 78 finished mask front view in darker light — Final front view: hair glued, styled and finished, ready to go out to a collector.