How I Turned A Fake Pumpkin Into A Whimsical Halloween Character (19 Pics)

My name is David Irvine and I am a full-time artist, gardener, and Halloween enthusiast. Known worldwide for my redirected thrift store painting series, I also do a variety of other art projects including paintings on salvaged vinyl records, burnt-out light bulbs, and unique crafts.

By sculpting, sewing, and painting, I transformed a fake plastic gourd into a magical and whimsical Halloween character named “Drigsby Blackwood”. He goes from town to town in his unique wheeled gourd to share Halloween stories with both young and old.

Here are photos from start to finish – now available in my Etsy shop.

More info: Etsy

The plastic gourd waiting to be transformed

How I Turned A Fake Pumpkin Into A Whimsical Halloween Character (19 Pics)

A little paint to suggest aging and weathering

How I Turned A Fake Pumpkin Into A Whimsical Halloween Character (19 Pics)

Salvaged wheels are painted to look worn and aged

How I Turned A Fake Pumpkin Into A Whimsical Halloween Character (19 Pics)

Wheels are attached to gourd and they work!

How I Turned A Fake Pumpkin Into A Whimsical Halloween Character (19 Pics)

Front view

How I Turned A Fake Pumpkin Into A Whimsical Halloween Character (19 Pics)

Character sculpt using Apoxie

How I Turned A Fake Pumpkin Into A Whimsical Halloween Character (19 Pics)

Head and hands are crafted and allowed to cure

How I Turned A Fake Pumpkin Into A Whimsical Halloween Character (19 Pics)

Things are coming to life!

How I Turned A Fake Pumpkin Into A Whimsical Halloween Character (19 Pics)

Paint is applied and glass eyes are installed

How I Turned A Fake Pumpkin Into A Whimsical Halloween Character (19 Pics)

A hat is made using rubber liner, ribbon and glue

How I Turned A Fake Pumpkin Into A Whimsical Halloween Character (19 Pics)

The arms are made of heavy gauge wire and can be positioned. Fabric is selected and cut and sewn to fit the character

How I Turned A Fake Pumpkin Into A Whimsical Halloween Character (19 Pics)

Hands are attached

How I Turned A Fake Pumpkin Into A Whimsical Halloween Character (19 Pics)

Now to add the hair to the head and install on the body

How I Turned A Fake Pumpkin Into A Whimsical Halloween Character (19 Pics)

The finished look with details and accessories added to the gourd

How I Turned A Fake Pumpkin Into A Whimsical Halloween Character (19 Pics)

Side view

How I Turned A Fake Pumpkin Into A Whimsical Halloween Character (19 Pics)

Front close up

How I Turned A Fake Pumpkin Into A Whimsical Halloween Character (19 Pics)

Back view

How I Turned A Fake Pumpkin Into A Whimsical Halloween Character (19 Pics)

Character and specially crafted “megaphone”

How I Turned A Fake Pumpkin Into A Whimsical Halloween Character (19 Pics)

Happy Halloween!

How I Turned A Fake Pumpkin Into A Whimsical Halloween Character (19 Pics)