Intermediate

Creepy Smashed Pumpkin Halloween DIY

Supplies

MAKERX Heat Gun WX743L.9
MAKERX Rotary Tool WX739L
MAKERX Air Brush WX742L.9
MAKERX Mini Hot Glue Gun WX746L.9
20V Switchdriver 2-in-1 Drill/Driver WX176L
Styrofoam Pumpkin
Knife or Pumpkin Carving Tool
Yellow, Orange, Black and Brown Airbrush Paint
LED Flickering Light

Tool Tip:

Before airbrushing, test and practice on a scrap piece paper or glass and adjust the settings accordingly. Wear heat resistant gloves while using the heat gun and work in a well-ventilated area.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Steps

1. Use the rotary tool or a carving knife to carefully cut out the top lid of the pumpkin around the stem. Tip: Carve on an angle rather than using a straight up and down cut.

2. Scoop and hollow out the styrofoam inside of the pumpkin using the Power Share Drill. Tip: This step gets a bit messy! Think about saving and upcycling the drilled out styrofoam for another crafty project!

using drill to clean out inside pumpkin - pumpkin everywhere

3. Sketch out a simple jack-o’-lantern face on the front of the pumpkin, then carve out each feature using the rotary tool or a serrated carving knife.

using rotary tool to cut out triangle eyes in pumpkin

4. Cut out cracks around the eyes and mouth to help give the pumpkin a truly smashed look.

using rotary tool to cut cracks in the side of the pumpkin

5. Wave the heat gun in a consistent motion about six inches away from the carved pumpkin. Doing this will melt down the styrofoam and curl any cut edges. Take your time with this step. It will truly give the pumpkin a rotted look. Tip: Work in a well ventilated area and wear a mask.

use heat gun to melt orange pumpkins eye

6. Help give the pumpkin a smashed shape by pressing down on the pumpkin and hot gluing any cracks together. Hold the glued cracks in place until the glue is completely dry. Continue until the shape is exactly as decrepit as you want it!

using glue gun to reform pumpkin

7. Fill the airbrush cup ⅓ of the way full with yellow airbrush paint and spray the inside and any white edges of the jack-o-lantern. Once done, empty out the airbrush cup and fill it with orange, brown or black airbrush paint. Continue airbrushing light details on the outside of the pumpkin focusing on the edges of each cut.