Uruk-Hai
03-20-2007, 04:29 PM
Here are some work-in-progress shots of my pumpkin-head scarecrow. It's yet, another Pumpkinrot knock-off :) but I'm trying to give it my own look and feel. In addition to pumpkinrot.com I took a lot of inspiration also from spookyblue.com and howloweenqueen.com among others. This is the first prop build of the 2007 season and it's great to be working on something.
This is my first big paper mache prop and I've learned a lot so far - including a number of things not to do. The pumpkin started life as a 17" inflatable beach ball which I covered in duct tape and then several layers of plaster wrap like they use for casts. This added a lot of strength which was needed as I had a problem with the duct tape pulled away from the plaster when I deflated the beach ball. I cut a hole in the bottom and pulled out the ball and duct tape. This left a thin shell that I reinforced with paper mache on the inside. I put in several layers of newspaper mache and then 2 layers made with heavy workshop paper towels. I didn't measure precisely but my paper mache mix was probably 60% Weldbond white glue and 40% water. This ended up being incredibly strong, especially as the paper towels would soak up the mixture before hardening. To make the ridges on the pumpkin I drew guide lines and then sprayed lines of Great Stuff down the side of the pumpkin. Once cured I carved these to shape. The face was cut out with an xacto knife and then I started to apply Celluclay to fill out the form and add texture. The stalk started as rolled up newspaper, them reenforced with chicken wire and coat hanger wire. I covered it with the paper towel paper paper mache and then added additional vines and roots using twine. One it's all done I'll seal it with a urethane spray and paint it with acrylic paints. I still have to make a body and have thought about using grape vine wreaths available at craft stores. The black trench coat will be distressed and weathered.
For the support I used a 2" x 3" post attached to a piece of 3/4" plywood as a base. I added steel L-brackets to the base to secure the post. Always concerned with storage I worked out a way to make the arms removable. There is a short cross piece of wood for the shoulders and then the arms themselves are made out of broom sticks. To make them removable I used utility hangers mounted to the back of the cross piece. These are friction fit hangers so to mount the arms I just slide the broomstick through the sleeves of the coat and snap them into the hangers. For storage they come out just as easily. With the head and arms removed the body on the post will take up minimal space.
http://www.hectorturner.com/halloween/hauntforum/scarecrow-01.jpg
http://www.hectorturner.com/halloween/hauntforum/scarecrow-02.jpg
http://www.hectorturner.com/halloween/hauntforum/scarecrow-03.jpg
http://www.hectorturner.com/halloween/hauntforum/scarecrow-04.jpg
This is my first big paper mache prop and I've learned a lot so far - including a number of things not to do. The pumpkin started life as a 17" inflatable beach ball which I covered in duct tape and then several layers of plaster wrap like they use for casts. This added a lot of strength which was needed as I had a problem with the duct tape pulled away from the plaster when I deflated the beach ball. I cut a hole in the bottom and pulled out the ball and duct tape. This left a thin shell that I reinforced with paper mache on the inside. I put in several layers of newspaper mache and then 2 layers made with heavy workshop paper towels. I didn't measure precisely but my paper mache mix was probably 60% Weldbond white glue and 40% water. This ended up being incredibly strong, especially as the paper towels would soak up the mixture before hardening. To make the ridges on the pumpkin I drew guide lines and then sprayed lines of Great Stuff down the side of the pumpkin. Once cured I carved these to shape. The face was cut out with an xacto knife and then I started to apply Celluclay to fill out the form and add texture. The stalk started as rolled up newspaper, them reenforced with chicken wire and coat hanger wire. I covered it with the paper towel paper paper mache and then added additional vines and roots using twine. One it's all done I'll seal it with a urethane spray and paint it with acrylic paints. I still have to make a body and have thought about using grape vine wreaths available at craft stores. The black trench coat will be distressed and weathered.
For the support I used a 2" x 3" post attached to a piece of 3/4" plywood as a base. I added steel L-brackets to the base to secure the post. Always concerned with storage I worked out a way to make the arms removable. There is a short cross piece of wood for the shoulders and then the arms themselves are made out of broom sticks. To make them removable I used utility hangers mounted to the back of the cross piece. These are friction fit hangers so to mount the arms I just slide the broomstick through the sleeves of the coat and snap them into the hangers. For storage they come out just as easily. With the head and arms removed the body on the post will take up minimal space.
http://www.hectorturner.com/halloween/hauntforum/scarecrow-01.jpg
http://www.hectorturner.com/halloween/hauntforum/scarecrow-02.jpg
http://www.hectorturner.com/halloween/hauntforum/scarecrow-03.jpg
http://www.hectorturner.com/halloween/hauntforum/scarecrow-04.jpg