DIY: Venetian Masks

Hot weather reminds me of the beach, the beach reminds me of the sea, and the sea reminds me of Venice, my favorite city on Earth. 


There are a lot of great things to see there (especially the stores and museums dedicated to glasswork and beads), but one of my favorite things to do is visit a workshop and store called Ca' del sol where they make the most beautiful, authentic Venetian masks (not the cheap imported stuff they sell in the tourist traps). They sell a lot of finished ones, but you can also find raw masks for sale there. I usually buy one every time I go to Venice and (carefully) pack it in my luggage for taking home. 

For anyone who’s curious or wants to try it themselves, here’s what I did with the last two I finished: 





The one on the left was given several coats of copper paint and then artificially aged to create that characteristic green patina. The mask on the right was actually painted several times 😩 while I decided what exactly to do with it, before finally plating it in gold leaf and silver-colored metal and finishing it with an aging wax. If you’re ever in Venice, give Ca’ del Sol a visit and make sure to leave room in your suitcase. And if you have any other questions about painting these masks, just write them in the comments below or send me a message.


(This post was originally published on May 12th as a Facebook Note)

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