Pumpkin Head Halloween Costume

Halloween may still be a long way off this year (31st of October same as every year) but thanks to some confusion on my part I thought that was 6 weeks away instead of 10.

I had some discussion with my wife about what her costume would be this year, we came up with the idea of a pumpkin head. I got enthusiastic about the idea and now a week later I've finished the costume and have some time to write an instructable about it. It's good news for you guys because you get a full instructable with enough time to actually replicate it for this years halloween festivities.

This is another cheap job like my other masks, I find I'm getting good with the PVA and newspaper. I also had everything else I needed for this instructable in my cupboard of bits so there is a good chance you will too.
On with the show then....

Step 1 The materials

Perhaps I should have a stock material page I use for this as I use these basics so often.

You will need:
Newspaper - one or two depending on the number of layers you want.
PVA Glue - I tend to decant mine into a seperate continue so I can water it down as required
Poster Paint - Orange, Green and White. Maybe some black too for shades of colour

Now for the special materials:
Elastic Bands - At least 4 but they will need to be large enough to go over the following balloon.
Punch Ball Balloon - Found in toy shops and also fair grounds when you were a child.

A quick google search reveals lots of places to buy them.
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=punch+ball+balloon&meta=

Comments

[egriff]

My costume for the last two years has been a pumpkin head, but it was the store bought pumpkin masked one, I did some mods like adding LEDs to the eyes, I think you just helped me figure out where I'm going with it this year. Thanks.

[GorillazMiko]

Haha, that's really cool. Try to make an Instructables Robot one!

[Cyberscann54]

you should try to make one they are simple and cheep to make and fun. Not to mention the pride that you will have something that you made

[RoosterSocks]

Why did you turn the punch-balloon inside-out?

[msraynsford]

So the rubber band would be in the inside of the balloon, which is used to create the initial deformation

[Screamo]

Just stick a real pumpkin on ur head - TADA!

[pokiespout]

Hurray for pumpkinheads! Now I feel compelled to share this image with you. These are the first three giant papier-mache masks I ever made; the third one, tucked in the back, is my pumpkinhead. Technically, I was dressed as a scarecrow that year, but a scarecrow of the pumpkinheaded variety (I also had a raggedy coat, overalls, and a pair of "scary branch hands" that were pretty awesome).

[binglebeebop]

I'd have to say this is a cool instructable, and approximately how long did this take you to make?

[msraynsford]

Thanks very much. I reckon it took me about 4 nights to make but that is largely waiting for the layers to dry around the balloon.

[binglebeebop]

ok, thanks

[cowscankill]

Wow! I thought that was styrofoam, nice job giving it depth!