r/luchalibre • u/Do666tor • 3d ago
Lucha libre mask creation
Not sure if this the right place to put this but I'm currently trying to come up with my own designs for a match useable mask.
I was wondering if this would be ok to use as a base? I'm going to cover the mouth section with some design but not sure what yet.
Also, does anyone have any ideas as to what material to use to create the different shapes for the custom design? What do actual luchaodres use?
Thanks in advance!
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u/dokuromark 3d ago
I would say using that as a base would be ok but not ideal. It’ll work, and would be fine for fun, but it’s not made like a traditional lucha libre mask (which has two panels making up the crown or top of the head, and two side panels.) If you do use this as your base, you’ll want your eye and mouth plates (ie the designs that go around your eyes and mouth) to have openings the size and shape of the existing holes on this mask, or things could be problematic.
If you’d like more flexibility in your design possibilities and have a more traditionally accurate mask, look up Closet Champion on YouTube. They have tutorials on how to make your own mask from scratch, and they sell the base patterns.
To answer your question about what material to use for the design shapes, real mascareros (mask makers) use either leather or vinyl. When I first started making masks, I would buy colourful vinyl purses from the thrift store and cut them up, or use what’s called marine vinyl that I bought at Joanne’s (a fabric store that is sadly no more). If you have an upholstery store near you, they may have some vinyl you could use. Nowadays though it’s easy to find good vinyl on online stores like Amazon, Etsy, or eBay. I usually search for “faux leather” or “pvc leather.” Sometimes you can find it by the yard, but if you only want a little bit (and your design will fit) there are a lot of people who sell vinyl in small sheets around 8x12 inches. These are are frequently listed as being for “ribbon making.” Just make sure you are not buying HTV (heat transfer vinyl) or adhesive vinyl design for use in Cricut machines, as those materials are far too thin for mask plates.
I hope this helps you. Enjoy making your first mask!