Here and throughout the book, the author draws on his own experience to add caveats that masks must be tailored for the occasion. He forewarns of problems that may occur and suggests ways of avoiding them. For example, a director would not want to have to replace a mask just a few days before the performance because it lacked proper breathing holes for the wearer. Nor would an actor wish for the embarassment which would be caused if a mask disintegrated mid-performance. McKay always keeps the reader aware of potential difficulties.
Highlighted boxes offer extra advice and make it easy to see at a glance what materials are needed.
Illustrations demonstrate the process of making the masks. Chapters 4 and 5 outline how to prepare a cast of the face and then make a sculpt over the cast. Here again, simple advice on matters which could otherwise be overlooked is presented to the reader in a form which is in no way condescending. Particular care is devoted to ensuring the physical comfort and mental well-being of the model. Once again, problems are obviated before they can be encountered, so that even the novice cannot go wrong.