Pumpkin Patch: Part II

Work continues on the pumpkin patch. After the trash bag form had been covered with papier mache and allowed to dry, a hole was cut into the base of the pumpkin and all of the crumpled newspaper was removed. The plastic bag, twine, tape and wire was also removed leaving a 100% paper pumpkin shell.





As you can see in the last photograph a lot of crumpled newspaper was used to create the pumpkin shape. Once removed it can be put into another trash bag and the process can be started again, sort of a perpetual pumpkin prop-building process.

Next the face design was drawn onto the pumpkin and cut with scissors and razor blades. Due to the multiple layers of strip mache cutting through the mache was difficult.

After the eyes, nose and mouths were cut, one inch strips of recycled cardboard boxes were hot glued to the perimeters. The reason for this step is that the extending cardboard will act as a guide or form when the papier mache clay is applied. The cardboard guides help create clean lines and give the pumpkin depth, meaning it will appear that the eyes, nose and mouth were carved into a pumpkin approximately one inch thick.

Extra accessories and detailing will be added when using clay such as eyeballs, teeth, wrinkles, noses and even some horns.









Stay tuned…the next step involves sculpting the face using papier mache clay.

The fun part!

-scott