How to Make African Reliquary Figures Part 3

To make your reliquary figure, cut a piece of sketch paper and a piece of construction paper to be the same size as your reliquary.

Begin with an oval for the face, add eyes, a nose and a mouth. Be creative and design your own panel head dress and hair. For the neck draw rings to represent the jewelry that Dakota people wear.

Next draw the diamond shaped body and stand for the reliquary figure to rest on. Cut a piece of tooling foil that is a little bigger than your reliquary figures head. Place the foil on a stack of newspapers for padding. Use a pencil to trace over the oval face.

Next, use your pencil to trace directly on the tooling foil. Adds scarifications to your reliquary figure, be creative use different textures and designs, lines, dots, zigzags and circles for example. Continue adding designs, raise areas and indented areas until you paint the face of your reliquary figure is complete. Carefully cut out the face of your reliquary.

For an antique look simply scorch an India ink on the foil and use a paper towel to spread the ink, let dry. Use steel wall to rub off some of the India ink to give that foil an antique look. If you’re using the copper foil, you can simply use your steel wall to rub off some of the copper so the silver color shows through.

Next transfer your sketch to your construction paper. Use paint pens and oil pastels. Add a variety of designs and patterns to your image. Be creative and use your imagination. Once you’ve finish decorating, use hot glue to attach the foil of face to the construction paper.