Carving a three-dimensional pumpkin might seem scary at first, but two of Vancouver鈥檚 master carvers say there鈥檚 really nothing to be afraid of.
We spoke to pumpkin sculptors Bruce Waugh and Clive Cooper to give you a helping hand this Halloween.
Waugh has been sculpting pumpkins, sand and ice for more than 30 years now, while Cooper has been carving pumpkins for more than 15 years as a part-time passion. Cooper has even showed off his talents on the U.S. reality TV show Halloween Wars. The duo have worked together on many projects together, you may have seen their incredible work at VanDusen Botanical Garden's magical event over the years.
Here鈥檚 what you need to know to have your family and friends saying, 鈥淥h My Gourd.鈥�
Pick the right pumpkin
Before you can start carving a pumpkin, you have to know how to pick the perfect one first.
Both sculptors suggest the best pumpkins for 3D carving are Atlantic giants and prize pumpkins. These pumpkins have thick flesh and allow you to carve deeper to create a 3D effect.
鈥淚f you go out pumpkin hunting, try to find a big stemmed pumpkin and that should dictate that it has thicker flesh to deal with,鈥� says Waugh.
Cooper adds that you can still do a 3D pumpkin with a regular Jack-o-lantern; it just won鈥檛 be as elaborate.
When picking any pumpkin be sure to check that there are no rotten spots and make sure it鈥檚 quite firm. A firm pumpkin is going to last longer.
Be inspired
Both artists say inspiration for a pumpkin carving can come from a range of places 鈥� including colouring books, Halloween masks and simply just searching for images or things you鈥檙e interested in on the internet.
You can also look at the shape of your pumpkin and go from there. For example, an oval shaped pumpkin makes a great canvas for an owl.
Have the right tools and practice using them
Waugh says to master the 3D carving technique you have to have the right tools.
鈥淚n the art world the tools are called ribbon or loop tools, usually used for carving clay. It鈥檚 just a band of wire in a pointed shape or a loop shape,鈥� Waugh explains.
鈥淩ather than just cut one side like a paring knife, they鈥檒l take off two sides or a whole chunk at the same time. With a paring knife you have to go back and forth to get the same effect.鈥�
Learning how to use the loop tool is the key to 3D carving. You can use the tools to scrape and dig in details at varied depths. Practice maneuvering the loop tools at different angles to find your desired effect.
鈥淲ith a paring knife and the loop tools/ribbons tools 鈥� you can carve anything,鈥� says Waugh.
Cooper adds that it鈥檚 worth looking at what you鈥檝e got in your kitchen drawer. Vegetable peelers, ice cream scoops, citrus zesters and other small sharp knives can all come in handy.
See the below video to watch how Cooper uses different tools to slice into a pumpkin.
QUICK TIPS
- If you鈥檙e new to this, we don鈥檛 want you to get hurt. Wear gloves to prevent cuts.
- 聽Wash your pumpkin before carving.
- Wait till the end to gut your pumpkin, it will make it easier to carve in your 3D design 鈥� you don鈥檛 have to go through the top, you can make a small hole in back of the pumpkin after.
- Use a marker to map out your basic design.
- Scrape the skin off the pumpkin before starting to carve your 3D design.
Patience is key
Now that you have your pumpkin and your tools, there鈥檚 no turning back. Know that you鈥檙e in this for the long haul. There鈥檚 one big thing Waugh says you need to have to complete a 3D pumpkin successfully 鈥斺�減atience.鈥�
鈥淎 lot of people can鈥檛 sit there for three hours and carve something, they just want to get in there and get it done,鈥� says Waugh. 鈥淧atience to get to the final result is huge.鈥�
Don鈥檛 be afraid to carve a pumpkin
鈥淧eople should not be afraid to carve a pumpkin, even if they say they can鈥檛 draw, because it doesn鈥檛 have the same skill set as drawing,鈥� says Cooper.
鈥淒on鈥檛 be afraid, even if you鈥檙e not artistic. Just get in there, take the skin off and scrape or carve away.鈥�
A finishing touch
While both artists say they鈥檝e tried everything to prolong the life of their pumpkin sculptures, inevitably they will deteriorate. However, Cooper suggests putting a little lemon water on the outside of the pumpkin once it鈥檚 complete, especially if you鈥檙e keeping it indoors. It will help it last a couple of extra days.
It鈥檚 all about fun
Last, but not least, remember carving a pumpkin is meant to be fun.
鈥淚t is temporary so you have to just enjoy the moment while you鈥檙e doing it,鈥� says Waugh. You only get the pumpkins once a year so you have to just realize that this is it 鈥� enjoy the time.鈥�
He encourages Vancouverites to have their own pumpkin-carving contest with neighbours or to invite friends over for a pumpkin carving party.
鈥淚t鈥檚 just another social event that people can do,鈥� he says. 鈥淗ave some beverages and carve a pumpkin!鈥�
