3D Cutout Halloween Decorations With IPad Sketchbook Pro

You suddenly realize that Halloween is getting closer, and you need a decoration for the table!  What do you do?  Short (and fun) answer…grab an iPad 1 and a copy of Sketchbook Pro for the iPad, because you're going to make them yourself!

Step 1: The First Side

Begin by selecting a black mechanical pencil.  On the top of the screen select the box drawing mode to draw the basic rectangle, and then the line drawing mode to add the triangle and the wall dividing line.

Step 2: Duplicate the Side

Duplicate the layer by selecting the layer tool at the top of the screen, and pressing the double plus sign.

Now press the quad arrow button at the top of the screen to manipulate the new layer.

Press the move layer button and follow the on-screen instructions to move the image next to the one below it.

Once you are satisfied with the position press the Done button.

Finally merge the layers by selecting the layer tool and pressing the Merge button.

Step 3: The Roofline

Select the box drawing mode again and create a rectangle that is longer than any single side and twice as wide as any side.

Now using box and/or line mode draw some tabs on the main body of the house.  These will be used later for gluing the house and roof together.

Step 4: The Fence

For this step ensure that the box mode is selected at the top and that mirror mode is also turned on.

Starting from one side draw a box past the middle of the screen.  This will form the basis of the fence.

Next draw a small box on the outer end of the "fence" to form the gate.  Don't worry, it'll make sense soon.

Switch the drawing mode to freehand for this next step (stay in mirror mode).  Form a small curve inside the "gate" block from the top of the "fence" to the outer edge.

Now switch the drawing mode to line mode, and fill in lines to form the bars of the gate and fence.  They don't need to be perfect.  Draw some of the lines to tilt and lean.

Step 5: Add Basic Features to the House

Turn off mirror mode.

Switch the drawing mode to box mode, and add some squares and rectangles for windows and doors.

Use line mode to create window panes.

Use the brush editor to create a thin lined pencil for creating fine details.

Use circle mode to create a doorknob.

To create the sign use the layer editor to add a new layer, and then box mode to draw the sign on the new layer.

Step 6: Add Text

Create a new layer

Select the Text mode at the top of the screen

Enter your text (in this case it reads "Keep Out").  Change the font and font size to something that will fit in the sign box on the door.  Click Done.

Select the Layer Adjust tool and from there select the Move Layer and Scale Layer buttons to move and adjust the text to fit in the door sign box. 

Merge the text layer with the door sign layer.

Now select the Adjust Layer tool and use the Rotate Layer button at the top.  Set the pivot pin on the sign and rotate the layer slightly to give the impression of the sign hanging by one nail.

Step 7: The House Number

Next we add a house number (in this case "13") in much the same way as adding the text before.

Create a new layer.

Use the text tool to add the number "13" in an appropriate font and size.

Then, move the layer so that the house number is over the door.

Merge all of the layers.

Step 8: A Witch!

Create a new layer

Open the brush editor and select the woman in a sitting position.  Paint one stamp of the woman in the window.

Using the layer editor rotate the woman upright and position her so that her knee is just above the window sill.

Erase any part of her body that extends below the sill.

Using the mechanical pencil draw a hat on her head and a wisp of smoke in her hand.

Merge the layers.

Step 9: Put Some Siding on That House

Create a new layer, and the select line drawing mode.

Using the bristle brush with gray tone paint horizontal lines across the house.

Change to the hash brush and again draw horizontally across the house.

Erase the "siding" from the windows, door, and witch.

Step 10: Colorize the House

Select the house line drawing layer in the layer tool.

Using flood fills colorize the house and windows.  Get creative with broken glass, and spider webs.

Try using a paint brush with a very low opacity (less than .1) to create a magical glow around the smoke in the witch's hand.

Step 11: Shingle the Roof

Use the same layer that the siding lines were draw in and select the bristle brush, this time with a darker gray.

With the line mode on draw horizontally across the roof.

Then draw vertically across the roof.

In the main line drawing layer use flood fill to give the roof color.

Step 12: Colorizing the Fence

Create a new layer behind the main drawing.

Select the speckled brush and a dark green color.

In freehand drawing mode paint bushes behind the fence about 1/2 as tall as the fence.

Create a second new layer and put that behind the bush layer.

Select a gray brush and paint behind the gates and bushes coming about the fence unevenly.

Merge all of the layers.

Step 13: Add Some Tombstones

Create a new layer and select the box drawing mode.

Draw 3 small boxes to use as tombstones.

Create long thin rectangles along the bottom which will be used to stand up the tombstones.

Change to the circle drawing mode and at circles at the top of the rectangles.

Erase all of the lines on the face of the tombstone.

With a gray tone, flood fill the tombstone.

Add text to each tombstone as desired.

Step 14: Print It

Save the file and export it to the photo library (on the iPad)

There are many apps that allow for printing.  I use HP ePrint which allows me to print out to any Fex-Ex office.

Step 15: Construct the House

Cut out the house.

Bend the tabs.

Place a dab of glue on the side wall tab and glue the house wall in place.

Step 16: Attach the Roof

Cut out the roof.

Fold the roof in half horizontally.

Put dabs of glue on the tops of the tabs on the main building.

Set the roof in place with the color side out and press the tabs against the roof for a few moments to allow the glue to set.

Step 17: Finally!

Cut out the fence and tombstones.

Cut the fence in the middle to create the left and right fence pieces.

Fold the fence pieces with a 90' bend and arrange in front of the house.

Fold the horizontal stand tabs back on the tombstones and arrange around the house.

Step back and gaze in wonder.