[choo]

Anatomicae #19 - Masquerade
''Power symbols of a great empire''
DUE DATE: October 25th, 2011.

For this challenge (which we think is pretty appropriate for the lovely month of October), you are tasked to come up with a set of masks. 3, to be exact: The Demon/Beast, the Maiden, and the Old Man/Wizard.

-As it usually is with Anatomicae, you are tasked to come up with you own culture and genre for these masks.

-Each mask must be presented face-forward. It doesn't need to be worn by someone; if it helps you to picture it this way pretend your final image is that of your masks on a gallery wall.

-Color is a must for this challenge. B&W sketch and prep is fine, but please include color in your final.

-The mask can be functional, or entirely ceremonial. The sky's the limit!

-----Inspiration------

Again, Anatomicae is about learning and researching, and using real life to inform your work. There are rich resources on the net that focus on mask history, mask creation, and the works.

Below is a quick thrown-together collage of inspirational masks. Amongst these masks are Inuit, Nori, Aztec, Plains American, and Japanese Nori masks.



Here are just a few images that could also inspire you.


Mask 2 by Darkgoth
http://darkgoth.deviantart.com/


Raving Stiltybird by Nicholas Kole (homarusrex)
http://homarusrex.deviantart.com

Go forth, create! The winner of this challenge wins a special shiny Anatomicae badge, as well as a feature on our Anatomicae Best Student section. All participants that submit a final get an exit critique.

[blue327]

just wanna ask. You said we need to come up with a set of masks, does that mean we must have more than 1 mask in the picture?

[choo]

We're asking for 3 masks in total, blue. Bolded under the criteria it gives the theme for each mask - Demon/Beast, Maiden, and Wizard.

[MrNik]

HEy guys . names Nikola this and this is the first my
first challenge so wish me luck XD
this is a really interesting challenge
what i would like to do is do 3 post apocalyptic tribes
and since the gas mask is kinda of an icon of that time
I'm gonna use it as a base for my design
so i have no idea am i suppose to write all this but ill do it anyway
1. The Demon/Beast- would be tribe of primal head hunting warriors fierce hunters living by the code of straight and blood
i did color sketch for them
ill talk about the other 2 when i sketch them up
again tell me if i'm doing something wrong since i have yet to learn how this works
i look farward to seing some awesome design here

[blue327]

Ok I have come up with a concept.

I am inspired by the Chinese "bian lian" or "face changing" perfomance. It originates from Sichuan, and is a very secretive art form, as it is passed on only from master to apprentice or father to son. There is a story about a Robin Hood like hero who used masks to confuse the feudal guards when he was caught. So, in a way, the mask was used for survival.

My concept is, there's this ancient Oriental Kingdom, similar to China, where the government is corrupt and treats the poor badly. So a secret society/organisation was formed among the people, and they were scheming against the government.

The masks that they wore identifies their different post/ranks in the society. The president/chairman wears the Old Man mask, which signifies wisdom. The advisor/mastermind who schemes and plans strategies wears the Maiden mask, and the person is usually a woman, though not always. While the Beast mask is for the leader who leads the members into the field, for example a mission or a battle. He is the "action guy".

I have come up with the sketches for the Beast mask. I will update on the other two later.

[boristhescot]

This is my first challenge. Huzzah! And here is my WIP. Tear it apart with critique if you wish.

[blue327]

Looks like there are many first-timers here, you know what, me too =)

Ok, here's my concept for the Old Man mask. Coming up with the Maiden one soon.

[blue327]

The maiden mask =)

[washka]

blue327: 1 and 4 old man mask for me.

[blue327]

My progress so far. Very slow, but getting there =)

By the way, I would like to know if we need to put all 3 masks together or they can be in separate canvases?

[WildBrew]

Hi everyone!
This is my mask of beast - mask of goat. This is a ceremonial mask. Always there was a man in the mask of goat in Old Russian heathen ceremony. Sometimes it was used at Christmas and wedding day.

[boristhescot]

This is the little progress I've made so far. Palate still needs just a little tweaking.

[ScalC]

Hy everyone!
Those are my first two masks.
I wanted to give them a really simple and graphic design.
Hope you'll like them.
C&C are welcome.

[blue327]

Progress on the beast mask. Still experimenting...

[DanOrtega]

Hello all!

I finally decided to get my feet wet, so this is my first submission to CGHub challenges. Hopefully I will have this finished in time

I decided to go with my own versions of regional masks, and one in particular I have always feared:

First mask is "The maiden", a stylized version of a torture instrument used by the Inquisition: the mask was wrapped around the face of the victim, and hot wax, oil or boiling water was poured through the ear and mouth orifices (these things often included funnels resembling ears and trumpets to ease the task). The purpose of this horrible instrument was not to kill but rather leave the person deaf or mute (and horribly scarred).

Surviving masks are bare bones or broken, but to some accounts it is said that some of this instruments were adorned. Thus, this is my personal depiction of a brand new mask, ready to be "worn"...



EDIT: Strange enough, it took me a long time to find one of these particular kind of mask. The only image I found is this one (top object to the right):