Add one part flour to five parts water and bring to a boil on a stove. Allow the mixture to simmer for three minutes before adding 2 tablespoons of salt. The mixture should have a consistency similar to glue at this point. Leave it to cool for several hours and you now have the paper mache paste to make your Venetian mask.
Use a person's face to create the desired mold for the mask. Cover the skin of the face completely with petroleum jelly. Cut three sheets of white paper into small strips and dip into the cool paper mache paste before placing onto the face. Use small strips to place carefully around the eyes to create eye holes in the mask. Once you have covered the face in strips of paper mache leave it to dry for 30 minutes before removing. Leave the mask to dry completely for 24 hours and during this time you should place the remaining paper mache paste in the fridge to keep it from setting.
Add another layer of paper strips dipped in paper mache to create a sturdy mask. Leave the mask to dry for another 24 hours.
Decorate your mask by painting it with colorful designs. You can also add feathers, gemstones, glitter, buttons or tassels. Hot glue can be more effective for sticking decorations onto the mask, although children should not attempt this without help from an adult.