Spooky Halloween Raven – Cardboard & Paper Mâché Craft

In this Halloween project, I’ll show you how to create a spooky raven using simple materials like cardboard, paper mâché, and old fabric scraps. This eerie bird looks great in any Halloween setup, and it’s beginner-friendly, too!

This craft is perfect for newcomers because the mostly black color hides small imperfections, and the raven’s rugged, bony look makes it naturally spooky.

Watch the full Youtube tutorial here: https://youtu.be/_3T1Es6v6Hk

Supplies

1. 1 medium flattened cardboard box
2. ½ lb (about 225 g) paper mâché clay
3. Craft scissors
4. School glue
5. Epoxy glue
6. Hot glue gun
7. Acrylic paints: black, grey, orange, red
8. Paintbrushes
9. Markers
10. Masking tape
11. Bubble wrap envelopes
12. Foam scraps
13. Old fabrics: black, green, beige (denim or leggings work great!)
14. Black faux fur and black faux feathers (optional)
15. A sock (for neck texture)
16. Small bags of rice (for weight)
17. Kraft paper
18. Wet wipes and a small glass of water (for cleanup and smoothing)

Step 1: Draw and Cut the Raven Shape

1. Draw the outline of a raven directly on cardboard.
2. Cut out two identical silhouettes.
3. One leg can be slightly behind the other—this creates a sense of depth.

Tip: The “back” leg will serve as support and later be hidden.

Step 2: Build the 3D Body

1. Cut a 2-inch-wide strip of cardboard to connect the two sides.
2. Tape it between the silhouettes to form a raven-shaped box.
3. Place small bags of rice inside the feet before sealing—it’ll keep your raven stable.

Step 3: Soften and Shape the Form

1. Use foam, fabric cutouts, or bubble wrap envelopes to smooth edges.
2. Add extra foam for the wings and eyes.
3. For the neck, stuff or wrap a sock (the heel works perfectly for the beak).
4. Secure everything with masking tape temporarily.

Step 4: Cover With Kraft Paper

Cover the entire raven in kraft paper using glue. This helps hold everything together and gives you a smooth surface for painting.

Watching your raven take shape here is super satisfying!

Step 5: Paint the Base Layer

Paint the whole raven black (3 layers for full coverage).

If you want a simpler version, you can stop here—just paint the eyes and beak or glue on fake eyes later.

Step 6: Dress Your Raven

1. Use black fabric scraps (old leggings work great!) to cover the wings and back.
2. Add textured pieces like waistbands or faux fur for realism.

Step 7: Sculpt Details With Paper Mâché Clay

1. Prepare about ½ lb of clay ahead of time for consistency.
2. Work with small amounts—paper mâché dries quickly (≈20 min).
3. Keep a small cup of water and wet wipes nearby for smoothing and cleanup.

Sculpt:

1. Eye:
2. Make a small half-ball and glue it on.
3. Add an eyelid using a thin coil of clay and sculpt wrinkles.
4. Build a hood above the eye for expression.
5. Beak:
6. Cover with a thin clay layer, sculpting nostrils and beak separation.
7. Wings & Tail:
8. Add long strips of clay to shape feathers.
9. Legs:
10. Sculpt over the supporting leg, adding bone-like details and wrinkles.

Step 8: Paint the Details

It's time to paint!

1. Feathers: Black
2. Beak & Feet: Shades of grey
3. Eyelid: Beige
4. Eye Contour: Black
5. Sclera: Orange and red
6. Iris: Black

Your raven will start looking truly alive (and a little creepy)!

Step 9: Build the Base

1. Cut green and beige denim into rough squares.
2. Trim edges into grass-like shapes.
3. Roll flexible green fabric scraps and glue them as little bushes.

Step 10: Final Touches

1. Touch up any messy areas with black paint.
2. Add faux feathers for extra realism (optional).
3. Let everything dry completely before displaying.

Step 11: Enjoy!