Sketch models and discussions

Mask sitting as a visor on the face, covering the mouth.

Lightweight form cut from Blue foam

First sculpt trialing out a stylised face

Before building my mask, I have trialed using clay, wire and blue foam to sculpt the basic features and shape of the crocodile's face. My original drawings are constantly evolving in response to the mediums I use and the input from the client. In the image above, I have given the crocodile a less menacing face, with stylised eyelids suggesting that the crocodile is female. As my designs developed and I further discussed with the client, I realised that his design is for a male crocodile. This breaks the traditional story of Peter Pan, in which the crocodile is referred to as "the only woman" who has shown Hook so much attention.

These sketch models simply help me to gain an idea of how the top and bottom jaw will fit together over the performer's face. I have used chicken wire, foil and plastiline as these are freely available around the studio. To give the basic structure of the face, I have started to consider how this will be built onto a hat or helmet. My early wire forms suggest that the bottom jaw could move on some sort of hinge, with a metal piece to build the bottom jaw over. The problems with making a metal structure made to fit to measure include the weight of the structure and casting considerations. Within the first two weeks of the project, the wearer's head measurements have changed three times as people are re-cast or cannot commit to the show. To solve this, a more universal fit could be achieved if the mask is build over something that will fit a range of heads such as a hat.