Update!!! Ok so I spent last night and today working on the pepakura mask, and it is done! Here's some pictures of the process, and the completed pep mask.
First I used diluted glue to stick the paper templates to the folders, since I had no cardstock paper to print them on.
Next I waited for them all to dry. There were seven sheets total.
After they dried I began to cut pieces, score them, and fold them. I didn't really follow any specific order doing this.
Eventually I began assembling some parts, mainly focusing on larger ones first.
After cutting and pasting for about an hour and a half, maybe two, the mask started taking shape. By then I had done the jaw and had started on the sides.
The face was done, and it was time to go to sleep sice I wast ired and it was baout 3 in the morning.
The next day I proceeded to start with the eyes and forehead. I should note that the actual pepakura file includes a closed piece on the back of the mask. I did assemble it with this piece at first for added support, but once the face and forehead were done and it was time to make the mouth and eyes, I cut out the piece carefully along the edge so that I could fit my face and actually wear the mask.
The mask was distorting a bit around the eyes and the nose/mouth area, so I glued some toothpicks in there for support. This didn't entirely fix the issue, but it made it allot less noticeable. Also, the inside of my mask looks like a piñata xD
Finally I finished the eyes and the mask was done! Another thing to note is that the pep file also included some pieces to fill in the eye holes. I left them out of the build for obvious reasons. Dragon Priests are not blind, after all x)
And here's a few shots of the finished pep mask, and a shot of me wearing it to test the fit. she fits quite nicely, and will hold great with any desired methoth of strapping, I asume.
Personally, I think it's decent for my first pepakura project. of course it could have been allot better and cleaner, since the mask is not perfectly simetrical, and a few spots have minor gaps or glue marks. Even so, I'm please with it, and hopefully I'll get better at this in time.
I have to say, pepakura is harder than it looks. While it's simple enough to understand and follow, it can be frustratingly repetitive at times, and all that small detailed cutting requires ALLOT of patience. The gluing process is another challenge in itself, since you only have a small window of time to apply glue and set the part where it goes. As I progressed with the mask though, I slowly figured my way around the process and it became easier. My fingers were covered in the stuff, and I did suffer a few minor burns, but it was worth it nonetheless.
I plan to make am old out of this mask and make a new version of it with a different material. If anyone knows a good one for a mask like this, I would apretiate it. Hopefully I can mold and cast it soon, to then sand it a bit, fix and finish a few htings here and there, and then give it some texture details and a nice paint job.
That's all for now folks! Will be updating when it's time to make the mold!
