How to carve a Halloween pumpkin that will amaze everyone

2023 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-07-28 10:38

Detailed instructions, helpful videos and inspiring photos.

The pumpkin lamp is the most famous Halloween attribute. It is a hollow pumpkin with a face carved on it and a candle inserted inside.

This pumpkin is also called "Jack-o'-lantern". Legend has it about the drunkard Jack, who twice deceived the devil and after death, not allowed into heaven or hell, was forced to wander the earth, lighting his path with a smoldering coal.

Therefore, the pumpkin usually depicts various faces with a frightening smile. Although some people prefer to cut out other drawings, for example, ghosts, witches, animals, characters from films and cartoons, and even complex art compositions.

What do you need

First of all, find a beautiful pumpkin that is not badly damaged.

You will need a sturdy knife for cutting. If the drawing is complex, take several pieces of different sizes. Use a large spoon to scrub the insides of the pumpkin.

A felt-tip pen or pen is useful for drawing. You may also need a drawing template. Here are some classic and non-standard options:

To download them, follow the links:

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Many more options can be found and downloaded here and here. If you choose to use a template, you will need scissors, tape, or pushpins and a needle.

Also prepare one or more candles, as well as a lighter or matches. Instead of real candles, you can use electric ones if you want.

How to carve a pumpkin for Halloween

Cut off the top of the pumpkin. In order not to be mistaken, you can draw a circle on top, along which you want to cut.

Cut out the pumpkin pulp in a circle.

Take out the cut part.

You can remove the tip in a slightly different way. Cut it at an angle by poking through the pumpkin and cutting in a circle. Remove the top and cut off the pulp:

Do not throw out the top, it will come in handy.

Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and any excess pulp. The pumpkin must be empty on the inside. If the walls of the future lamp seem thick to you, scrape off even more pulp from the inside.

Draw triangular eyes and a nose on the pumpkin, an elongated mouth and several teeth.

If you decide to make a lamp using a template, first print the version you like. Then there are two ways to use it. First: cut out the parts on the template, attach it to the pumpkin with tape or buttons and circle the holes. Here is a video tutorial:

Second way: attach the template to the pumpkin and go over the edges of the parts with a needle. A noticeable dotted line should remain. After that, for convenience, these lines can be circled with a felt-tip pen or pen. Accelerated master class:

Start cutting along the marked lines.

Discard the cut out part. You won't need it anymore.

Cut out the other drawn parts in the same way.

Place one or more candles inside and light.

Put the top cut off on top. The lamp is ready.

The whole process is shown in this video:

What other options are there

As already mentioned, there are a lot of pumpkin lamp designs. This tutorial shows you how to make Jack's lantern with a menacing grimace:

And here is the original creepy lamp with a small pumpkin in its teeth:

Here are funny and not at all scary faces:

And these are themed lamps with superheroes:

And some more cool photo ideas: