Hei Hei Pen Stand

Hei Hei, the hilariously clueless rooster from Disney’s Moana, has always been a fan-favorite for his quirky personality and comic relief. I wanted to turn this lovable character into something fun yet functional, so I created a Hei Hei Pen Stand! This project not only celebrates the charm of Hei Hei but also brings him to life as a colorful desk accessory.

Supplies

1. GI Wire
2. Modeling Clay
3. Aluminum foil
4. Paper cup
5. Sculpting Tool
6. Styrofoam ball
7. Acrylic colors
8. Super glue

Step 1: Creating Its Basic Structure

1. A piece of GI wire is taken and bent according to the outline to create the armature of the character.
2. The wire is twisted and adjusted to create a rounded head and a curved body shape..
3. The circular part at the top represents the head, while the extension downward will support the body.
4. Then, Take a paper cup. It will not only function as the storage area for pens but also form the main body part of Hei Hei.
5. Crumple foil paper and wrap it around the wire to give volume and shape to Hei Hei’s neck.
6. Add more foil paper where needed, ensuring that the paper cup (pen stand) and the wire structure look like one continuous form.

Step 2: Adding Clay

1. Start covering the foil-wrapped neck with a thin layer of clay.
2. Smooth it gently with fingers to ensure it sticks well to the foil base.
3. More clay is added where necessary to balance the shape and thickness.
4. After covering the entire foil-wrapped neck and head with clay, the surface is smoothed out with fingers.
5. This makes the figure look neat and prepares it for further detailing.
6. Allow the clay to dry before moving to the next step.

Step 3: Adding Details With Sculpting Tools

1. Using a sculpting tool, light strokes are made across the clay surface of the neck and body area.
2. These strokes create the impression of overlapping feathers, giving texture instead of a plain smooth surface.
3. More defined strokes are carved in layers, imitating Hei Hei’s rough and scruffy feather look.

Step 4: Creating Eyes of Hei Hei

1. Styrofoam balls are cut out from centre to form the cartoonish bulging eyes.
2. These spheres are slightly flattened on one side to help them attach firmly to the head.
3. The Styrofoam eyes are placed symmetrically on the upper part of the head.
4. A thin layer of clay is applied over the Styrofoam balls to give them a smoother finish.

Step 5: Legs and Back Feathers

1. Two cylindrical pieces of clay are rolled out to form Hei Hei’s legs.
2. At the bottom of each leg, clay is shaped into three pointing toes.
3. The legs are carefully fixed to the upper part of the body.
4. Then strips of clay are rolled and flattened to form the foundation of Hei Hei’s tail feathers.
5. These strips are bent and slightly curved.
6. Each strip is attached at the back of the body, arranged in layers for a fuller look.
7. Sculpting tools are used to carve feather textures and natural curves into the clay.
8. Once attached, the entire figure is checked for balance so that Hei Hei can stand upright.

Step 6: Painting and Coloring

1. Start by applying a bright red color to the comb
2. The beak and legs are painted in a bright orange shade.
3. The eyes are kept pure white.
4. Then, small black circles are painted in the center for pupils, giving Hei Hei his wide, startled, comical expression.
5. The body feathers are painted in a mix of yellow and green tones.
6. The back feathers are painted in blue and green shades, with some strokes of yellow to make them look vibrant and layered.

Step 7: Meet Hei Hei

The Hei Hei Pen Stand is a quirky, handmade tribute to one of the funniest Disney sidekicks. Both practical and decorative, it’s sure to bring a smile every time you reach for a pen. Just like in Moana, Hei Hei proves that even the most unexpected characters can be unforgettable!