One thing I learned this year while carving pumpkins is to put some aluminum foil or something similar inside so the light inside will reflect off it and look really cool
@@SKSPropstry it whenever. Don’t let pumpkins be just for Halloween. Buy your spouse a pumpkin for Valentine’s Day. Why do chocolate every year? She gets chocolate for Halloween anyway when she tastes that bbc at the swingers party
Making foam pumpkins that can be displayed longer and reused is a great motivation to take some extra steps to enhance the lighting/effects, and try more ambitious designs. Very exciting!
I've been carving these foam pumpkins for five years now and you are the only other individual I've seen doing so. I am currently up to 25 pumpkins and plan on being at 50 by Halloween of this year. Keep up the great work!
For the fog, seal the pumpkin seam with clear silicone. Then fill the pumpkin with water and put the fog unit in it. Lasts a lot longer. Make sure the low part of your mouth is high enough to keep the pump unit under water for a while. Mine last at least half a day before needing water.
I love carving pumpkins but it would be great to have a growing collection year by year. It’s very dry here and they shrivel quickly, even with rehydrating and Vaseline sealing in the detail areas.
In the process of making an arbor/archway of these around our front gate and am going to use string Edison lights. So excited I found your tutorial for cutting and will definitely tag you when it’s built. Thanks for the guide!
I love the "no mess" aspect of this idea so much. I also love the simplicity of cutting with a hot knife. You have no idea how many of the little pumpkin carving knives we have gone through in my house because of tough pumpkins and flimsy knives. Also, thanks for posting this early enough that I can order all the tools needed before Halloween. You're awesome!
I love it! I've been carving styrofoam with an exacto blade and it's awful. I got it done, but it's definitely rough. I'm definitely going to try the hot knife for my Mickey pumpkin. 👍
A black light decorated front lawn is absolutely the right way to go for Halloween! All trees should be purple and blue and all foam pumpkins should be neon painted
I find that too much blacklight makes it look like a rave or some other party atmosphere. I intermingle blacklight lit props with other items lit with green, red, or blue, depending on the subject item. Blue, for example, is reserved for ghosts, whereas green might be good for witches, goblins, or other such creatures.
I just discovered this video last year after Halloween but this I definitely plan on buy at least three for my yard. I can put them up for all of October instead of a few days at the end of the month. Thank you for the tutorial!
This has been super helpful when it I've been working on my Halloween crafts this year. I've had several carving fails, but was able to re-use everything and punch it up with the detailing. Thanks!
Thanks, brother! Love it!🎃 Looks almost like one of my free handed real Jacks! 🎃 This is my passion. I carve Jacks, every year. Finally decided to start using craft ones for sale. 🎃
I'm still going to cut my foam pumpkin, using a dremel drill bit. I'm just going to take it add a nice paint job. I need to fail and learn from my mistakes.
I did this with a teal pumpkin(didn't know what it meant at the time, just liked the non-traditional color, whoops) last year. I put a conveyor belt I designed and 3D printed in it to vomit candy out at people at work who pressed the button. 😁 Ran out of time to paint it though, I should do that this year to finish it off. edit: That hot knife looks way easier than the electric pumpkin carver I used, which worked fine but the foam ate up the teeth on the first blade.
This is a little late, but you could probably use a float valve water bowl or maybe a gravity waterer to maintain proper water level. If the ones available from the store are too big, you could probably make one.
Hi Steve! Your pumpkin looks awesome and thank you for the tips. Any helpful painting hints for those of us who do not own air brushes? That would be me, lol. I have tons of craft paints, alcohol inks, and can score the Liquidex paints but I cannot invest in an air brush system at this time. Thanks in advance
Thanks! It’s a specific brand of illustration board a little more durable than poster board. I get 11x17 tablets from Blick Art Materials and it’s my favorite paper for templates because it holds up well to continued use.
If they'd just make these pumpkins with thicker walls, they'd look so much better. The thin walls make it look super fake when carved no matter how well you do the work.
SKS Props I have been watching kamui cosplay use foam clay for sculpting as well I am sure I can use this as an excuse use it as well after my first few tries :D
I've never done this so I don't know the fumes ... Is it necessary to wear that mask? Can you bring it outside and it be better with the fumes? Your pumpkin looks awesome and we are definitely going to try this soon!!
CZcamsrs have to recommend protective equipment to avoid legal issues. Carving a few pumpkins here and there without a respirator is perfectly fine. Same goes with spray paint and melting plastic with a heat gun.
I wish pla 3d prints was easy to cut with a hot knife. It melt it enough but it gets stuck to the melted pla. My hot knife only has one temperature to reach 950° F
Wonder if an exacto knife would work well; im not gonna buy the hot knife for this one thing 😆. I also wonder if any styrofoam pumpkin works or it has to say carvable.
A hot knife with blade attachment is the same as an exacto...but with heat, so no a regular knife would not cut near as easy or as cleanly. Plus you can get a hot tool for $10-15 that is less than the pumpkin costs as for styrofoam they aren't hollow and the interior is the larger beads while the outside has been heat molded. Once again you need a heat tool for an easy carve and clean look
Yes you could use it as a mask and that is actually another video I have in the works A bit to small for a full head cover but I hear there are larger ones available online
I've been wanting to get some foam pumpkins, but I can't seem to find a good source for them online. Finding a lot of plastic ones, but not really any carvable foam ones.
Lots of retailers have them this time of the year Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Lowes and Home Depot. But hurry before they are all replaced with Christmas decorations
I don’t know you could try that out and let us know if it works. But I’m going to be using foam clay or apoxi sculpt on my next one to give it some added dimension
On the black foam pumpkins the white foam on the inside really clashes with my aesthetic… any recommendations on what type of paint works best on the white foam pieces?
The blade is not really special you can buy a heat tool anywhere Walmart, lowes, Joann’s etc and they are cheap. You could use a serrated blade but it won’t be near as clean the heat plus the hobby blade is the trick.
@@SKSProps I did have the temp up all the way and the blade was fresh out of the box, but maybe it was dull from the get go…? It also kept coming loose maybe that had something to do with it too, maybe it wasn’t getting the full heat.
Well…You’re absolutely positively wrong. It’s listed as one of the tools to use on the tag. Work smarter not harder. Adding heat to a blade will definitely give you a cleaner and easier cut.
Here I thought, like Much Props, you were gonna show us how to make an EVA foam pumpkin and then carve and light it. I'm kinda disappointed, to be honest, that's a missed opportunity. I'm sure Home Depot is happy they got a mention and people will now buy their pumpkins.
Check out more of my complete builds, walkthroughs, and HD-Foam at www.SKSProps.com
Are there any alternatives to the foam?
One thing I learned this year while carving pumpkins is to put some aluminum foil or something similar inside so the light inside will reflect off it and look really cool
That’s a cool idea I’ll have to try that next year 👍
Good idea. My lighting is always underwhelming. :)
@@SKSPropstry it whenever. Don’t let pumpkins be just for Halloween. Buy your spouse a pumpkin for Valentine’s Day. Why do chocolate every year? She gets chocolate for Halloween anyway when she tastes that bbc at the swingers party
Making foam pumpkins that can be displayed longer and reused is a great motivation to take some extra steps to enhance the lighting/effects, and try more ambitious designs. Very exciting!
I've been carving these foam pumpkins for five years now and you are the only other individual I've seen doing so. I am currently up to 25 pumpkins and plan on being at 50 by Halloween of this year. Keep up the great work!
That’s awesome! Yeah I think if more people knew about them they would take off. No pumpkin to throw away at the end of the season 👍
Hi! Do you have any tips to share on how to light multiple pumpkins where I don't have to buy 1 led light per pumpkin? Thx
Where do you buy yours at? Some of these are so expensive.
@@LuckyLexVlog I get mine from lowes or Walmart but try to pick up for the next year when they go on clearance
I have been carving for about 3 years now and last year began selling at craft fairs. It is addicting. My garage is filling up fast.
For the fog, seal the pumpkin seam with clear silicone. Then fill the pumpkin with water and put the fog unit in it. Lasts a lot longer. Make sure the low part of your mouth is high enough to keep the pump unit under water for a while. Mine last at least half a day before needing water.
Well done! I’m tired of the annual pumpkin mess, totally doing this.
Thank you! It was so much easier than I anticipated you are going to have a blast!
I love carving pumpkins but it would be great to have a growing collection year by year. It’s very dry here and they shrivel quickly, even with rehydrating and Vaseline sealing in the detail areas.
Don’t have a hot knife but my wood burning tool has a blade tip. Should work I think!
Sending my wife to Lowe's today since she's already going to be in the city. This is an excellent project, thanks Steve!
You are welcome have fun!
Enjoying the replay ❤ I subscribed today
In the process of making an arbor/archway of these around our front gate and am going to use string Edison lights. So excited I found your tutorial for cutting and will definitely tag you when it’s built. Thanks for the guide!
That’s great! I’m excited to see what you create 👍
Where did you find your pumpkins?
The pumpkin face is giving me venom vibes ❤️
definitely wanted to make something creepy!
I love the "no mess" aspect of this idea so much. I also love the simplicity of cutting with a hot knife. You have no idea how many of the little pumpkin carving knives we have gone through in my house because of tough pumpkins and flimsy knives. Also, thanks for posting this early enough that I can order all the tools needed before Halloween. You're awesome!
You are very welcome! Have fun with it!!
Wife yesterday: What do you want for Christmas?
Me: I don't know way too early to think about.
Me now: That fn' hot knife!
Works great on Eva foam and wood as well 👍
I hope Australia has pumpkins like these, I could go to town with them!
I would think so we have them in lots of different retail shop here in the US Good Luck!
I can’t get them in the Uk either 😢
I love it! I've been carving styrofoam with an exacto blade and it's awful. I got it done, but it's definitely rough. I'm definitely going to try the hot knife for my Mickey pumpkin. 👍
Thank You!
I'm going to try this, although with a candle bulb for a more traditional look.
Yep I have one of those I going to use and attach another pumpkin to a lamp pole to make a scarecrow!
A black light decorated front lawn is absolutely the right way to go for Halloween! All trees should be purple and blue and all foam pumpkins should be neon painted
I find that too much blacklight makes it look like a rave or some other party atmosphere. I intermingle blacklight lit props with other items lit with green, red, or blue, depending on the subject item. Blue, for example, is reserved for ghosts, whereas green might be good for witches, goblins, or other such creatures.
ya that heated blade worked like a charm!!! thank you!! also love all the other attachments too so i can use it for even part of my stain glass work
Awesome 🙌🙌
A great way to crank out a creepy pumpkin patch.
Definitely and they don’t rot!
My sister sent me a pic of one of these pumpkins yesterday! They look like fun to work on
They really are I have 2 more that I plan on carving and going to try sculpting!
I just discovered this video last year after Halloween but this I definitely plan on buy at least three for my yard. I can put them up for all of October instead of a few days at the end of the month. Thank you for the tutorial!
Awesome! Glad I could help! 🙌🙌
This has been super helpful when it I've been working on my Halloween crafts this year. I've had several carving fails, but was able to re-use everything and punch it up with the detailing. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks, brother!
Love it!🎃 Looks almost like one of my free handed real Jacks! 🎃
This is my passion.
I carve Jacks, every year.
Finally decided to start using craft ones for sale. 🎃
Thanks!! 🙌
Yes! Finally! No more mess to clean up. Dry ice maybe?
Thanks! and yeah dry ice might be cool!
Very cool! I enjoy that design
Thank You!
I'm still going to cut my foam pumpkin, using a dremel drill bit. I'm just going to take it add a nice paint job. I need to fail and learn from my mistakes.
Stay tuned for next weeks video I've got a HD-Foam pumpkin in the works that is a challenge if that's what you are wanting!
@@SKSProps I'm still learning how to make props. The foam pumpkin is a challenge!
LOVE this. Looks so easy to do
It really is once you carve one...you're going to want to carve 20 more!
Yeah buddy! More DIY Halloween decorations! BTW, loved your Critters carving from last year!
Thank you very much that one was a blast! love campy horror flicks!
I like your Halloween pumpkin art work
Thank you very much! 🙌
A great looking pumpkin with a simple easy to do design. Thank you for the tutorial.
You’re welcome! 🙌
@@SKSProps 💖
I did this with a teal pumpkin(didn't know what it meant at the time, just liked the non-traditional color, whoops) last year. I put a conveyor belt I designed and 3D printed in it to vomit candy out at people at work who pressed the button. 😁 Ran out of time to paint it though, I should do that this year to finish it off.
edit: That hot knife looks way easier than the electric pumpkin carver I used, which worked fine but the foam ate up the teeth on the first blade.
That sounds awesome!
I like your videos
I bought one of those white foam pumpkins and carved Baby Yoda's pram from it.
Good use of a found object 👍
Very cool 😃🎃
This is wonderful! Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
You’re Welcome! 👍👍
Awesome 👌
Thanks 🤗
This is a little late, but you could probably use a float valve water bowl or maybe a gravity waterer to maintain proper water level. If the ones available from the store are too big, you could probably make one.
Hi Steve! Your pumpkin looks awesome and thank you for the tips. Any helpful painting hints for those of us who do not own air brushes? That would be me, lol. I have tons of craft paints, alcohol inks, and can score the Liquidex paints but I cannot invest in an air brush system at this time.
Thanks in advance
Thanks! No airbrush no problem just dry brush acrylics to get a similar effect. That’s what I do on 99% of my builds
Hey Steve, great project. Question: what is Bristol board? Is that like/same as poster board? Just curious. Keep up the awesome content.
Thanks! It’s a specific brand of illustration board a little more durable than poster board. I get 11x17 tablets from Blick Art Materials and it’s my favorite paper for templates because it holds up well to continued use.
Cool
Thanks!
4 Thumbs down? I'd love to hear the background on that.
mike doeschot haters gonna hate 🤷♂️
You shouldtry printing some eyeballs on the paper
That might be a cool idea!
If they'd just make these pumpkins with thicker walls, they'd look so much better. The thin walls make it look super fake when carved no matter how well you do the work.
Watch the foam pumpkin mimic video I just posted it will solve that problem if you’ve got the time
Hey Sks, Can you make a Comedy and Tragedy mask, it would be cool for Halloween.
I want to try this, but I want to try and shave the areas for different shading and such, also I want to try thin supports since it won’t rot
Nice let me know how it goes. I think for my next one I am am going to add apoxi sculpt and build up some of the facial features
SKS Props I have been watching kamui cosplay use foam clay for sculpting as well I am sure I can use this as an excuse use it as well after my first few tries :D
Looks great. =)
Thank you very much!
You're welcome. =)
Wow this looks awesome 🎃👻⚰️🕷️🎃
Thank you very much!
how about how to make a foam pumpkin ? plz
In the works stay tuned!
Oh please I’ve looked for years for foam pumpkins in the Uk
I've never done this so I don't know the fumes ... Is it necessary to wear that mask? Can you bring it outside and it be better with the fumes? Your pumpkin looks awesome and we are definitely going to try this soon!!
When I’m doubt be on the side of caution. If you were to cut it outside that would be way better than an enclosed space
CZcamsrs have to recommend protective equipment to avoid legal issues. Carving a few pumpkins here and there without a respirator is perfectly fine. Same goes with spray paint and melting plastic with a heat gun.
I wish pla 3d prints was easy to cut with a hot knife. It melt it enough but it gets stuck to the melted pla. My hot knife only has one temperature to reach 950° F
Wonder if an exacto knife would work well; im not gonna buy the hot knife for this one thing 😆. I also wonder if any styrofoam pumpkin works or it has to say carvable.
A hot knife with blade attachment is the same as an exacto...but with heat, so no a regular knife would not cut near as easy or as cleanly. Plus you can get a hot tool for $10-15 that is less than the pumpkin costs
as for styrofoam they aren't hollow and the interior is the larger beads while the outside has been heat molded. Once again you need a heat tool for an easy carve and clean look
that pumpkin can us lika a mask ? a full 360° pumpkin head
Yes you could use it as a mask and that is actually another video I have in the works
A bit to small for a full head cover but I hear there are larger ones available online
Do you have any more stencils for carving? I did use this stencil and it turned out great. I need more!!
I don’t have any others but search on google tons of ideas and stencils available
@@SKSProps thanks! I have been searching and haven't found anything that great yet. Thanks for this one though. It was fun and easy!
I've been wanting to get some foam pumpkins, but I can't seem to find a good source for them online. Finding a lot of plastic ones, but not really any carvable foam ones.
Lots of retailers have them this time of the year Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Lowes and Home Depot. But hurry before they are all replaced with Christmas decorations
Can u use spray paint if you want to make it a different color? And what kind of spray paint can i use ?
You could use any brand that is a paint/primer. Krylon and Rustoleum both have these
Where could I purchase these on the UK ? .I have been looking for years .managed to find one site but they are roo expensive as I need quite a few
I've heard that they are tough to come by overseas. If you do find a solution plese post it here for others to locate 👍
Can you try filling one of these with expanding foam before carving and then try creating one that has dimension like the real pumpkins you carve?
I don’t know you could try that out and let us know if it works. But I’m going to be using foam clay or apoxi sculpt on my next one to give it some added dimension
On the black foam pumpkins the white foam on the inside really clashes with my aesthetic… any recommendations on what type of paint works best on the white foam pieces?
Any type of spray can primer or acrylics should be fine. It’s not like xps foam where the paint would destroy the surface
@@SKSProps thank you so much!
The real question is can they be carved without a special knife tool? Otherwise....
The blade is not really special you can buy a heat tool anywhere Walmart, lowes, Joann’s etc and they are cheap.
You could use a serrated blade but it won’t be near as clean the heat plus the hobby blade is the trick.
Would your foam clay adhere to these pumpkins for some more sculpturing opportunities?
I plan to find out soon!
I will be using either foam clay or apoxi sculpt to do a build up
SKS Props this is such a great idea! Going to have to go grab some foam pumpkins now! Thanks for the video!!
Is it ok for outside? I live in FL it's hot and rains lot.
Yes these types of pumpkins are made out of a expanded foam/plastic that would fine for indoor or outdoor
What brand is the hot knife??
bit.ly/3AwpHgJ
I'm not in the US and I'd love to know where I could get these
Yes me too, I want to make an arch but can’t get these pumpkins anywhere in the UK
Will that hot knife work on a real pumpkin?
I haven't tried it but I feel a real hot knife would scorch the pumpkin and smell pretty bad but who know it may work great
My HotKnife does not seem to cut that easily…I must be doing something wrong 😫
Make sue temp is at the highest setting. Your blade may be dull replace it or sharpen it
@@SKSProps I did have the temp up all the way and the blade was fresh out of the box, but maybe it was dull from the get go…? It also kept coming loose maybe that had something to do with it too, maybe it wasn’t getting the full heat.
I'm absolutely positive the sellers of carvable foam pumpkins did not intend everyone to buy a hot knife.
I'll just use xacto like I planned.
Well…You’re absolutely positively wrong. It’s listed as one of the tools to use on the tag. Work smarter not harder. Adding heat to a blade will definitely give you a cleaner and easier cut.
Here I thought, like Much Props, you were gonna show us how to make an EVA foam pumpkin and then carve and light it. I'm kinda disappointed, to be honest, that's a missed opportunity. I'm sure Home Depot is happy they got a mention and people will now buy their pumpkins.
Well I’m sorry you didn’t like it 🤣
But you also don’t know what’s on my workbench right now either do you 🤦♂️
And it was Lowe’s not Home Depot
If you can't find the carvable pumpkins at Lowes, Michael's carries a similar foam carving pumpking - bit.ly/3fnw1Cl