So Halloween is just around the corner, this Saturday to be exact; and a month ago I decided to make my own pumpkin king/ sentinel. I was inspired by the pumpkin king hanging in line at Disneyland's Haunted mansion and the pumpkin sentinels from pumpkin rot. I'm obviously not a talented artist as Disney's imagineers or the pumpkin rot, but here is my own take on it. I loved how he turned out. By the way I want to thank my sister Laura and my partner for helping me out.
Step 1: Get a trash bag fill it with newspaper and make the pumpkin shape by cinching the trash bag as tight as you can. Also, I shoved a wire hanger on top to act as the stem and give the stem support.
Step 2: Paper mache the bag. I think I did around 12 layers.( this is the part that took forever because you have to wait for each layer to dry completely) I can drop the head on the floor and it probably wont fall apart. To build up the stem and make it thick I added/ rolled paper towels/napkins.
Step 3: I searched for pumpkin face templates. I had a hard time finding the one I wanted so I combined 2 templates and then made some minor changes.
Step 4: Cut a hole at the bottom or your pumpkin and pull out all the stuffing.
Step 5: Cut out your pumpkins face. His teeth were a bit brittle so I put paperclay around the cutouts to give it more support.
Step 6: paint your pumpkin. I spray painted him yellow inside so that the light could reflect. I also bought a mate dark orange-y color and played around with the stem color.
Step 7: cut your PVC pipe to your desired pumpkins body and put him together. I forgot the dimensions I did but he is pretty big. I also ended up cutting shorter pieces here and there to get my desired size for him. BTW I dont know what this tool is called, but it cut the PVC pipe so easily and quick. Mess free.
Step 8: I used Pool noddles to frame his body and then wrapped the pool noodles in adhesive contact paper that I bought at the dollar tree. I used contact paper so that I would not have to paint the pool noodle.
Step 9: I Then wrapped reed fencing around his legs and body. BTW i'm the one taking the pictures my hubby is just modeling the steps.
* Here he is put together
Step 10: I really wanted to make his shirt like the pumpkin king at Disney and in the movie, but I found it difficult and due to time and laziness I went with this look. * Hubby's idea. We used 2 yards of fabric.
*I was not sure how we were going to hold his head up, but my hubs came up with the idea of putting a wine cork on top of his head and pushing the PVC pipe into it. We did this for disassembling and purposes and it worked!!!
AND here he is he looks so cool and scary outdoors. These pictures don't do him justice. Hopefully this inspires you to make your own pumpkin king.
