@jackslantern
Sep 2, 2026
Angry eyes in the dark
A fierce classic face with sharp slanted eyes, a small triangle nose, and a fanged grin, glowing deep red with the lights off.
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Our tips for carving a similar design
The core trick here is keeping every cut a clean-edged triangle so the whole face reads as sharp and angry. You carve two slanted eyes, a small triangle nose, and a grinning mouth with a couple of pointed fangs left attached at top and bottom. Everything is a straight-through cutout, so the plan is simply to draw good shapes, then cut carefully so the edges stay crisp.
Written by PumpkinCarvingIdeas.com, inspired by @jackslantern's photo above. These are our suggestions, not instructions from the uploader, and this approach hasn't been tested on their exact carve.
From pumpkin to porch
Pick a wall and open the lid
Choose a round pumpkin with one smooth, flat-ish face for the design. Cut the lid at an angle so it sits back on without falling in, or open a hole in the back if you prefer. Scoop out the seeds and pulp, then thin the inside of the carving wall to about one inch. A thinner wall makes the cuts much easier and lets more light through.
Transfer the face
Draw or print the two slanted eyes, small triangle nose, and toothy grin, then tape the pattern to the front. Poke the outlines with a pin or nail so you have a dotted guide, or lightly trace them with a marker. Keep the eyebrows steep and pointed inward for the angry look. Mark where the fangs will stay so you do not accidentally cut them away.
Cut the small shapes first
Start with the nose and the eyes, the smaller openings, using a fine carving saw. Cut on the dotted lines with slow, steady strokes and let the tool do the work. Push the loose pieces out from the inside so the edges stay clean. Save the largest opening, the mouth, for last so the face keeps its strength while you work.
Carve the fanged grin
Outline the wide mouth, then carve around the fang points so they remain connected to the top and bottom edges. Leaving the fangs anchored on both ends keeps them from snapping. Cut slowly around each sharp tip and clear the waste in sections rather than all at once. Trim any ragged edges with the tip of your tool for a crisp grin.
Clean up and light it
Go back over every edge and shave off fuzzy bits so the triangles look sharp. Set a battery LED tea light or a small LED puck inside, never a real candle. If the light seems dim, thin the wall a little more from the inside. Test in a dark room to check the glow.
Photograph the glow
Turn off the room lights and let the pumpkin be the only source. Set it on a dark surface and shoot slightly to the side so the shadows deepen the angry expression. A phone propped steady or a short timer keeps the shot sharp. Rub a little petroleum jelly on the cut edges to slow drying if you want it to last a few extra days.
Gather your supplies
Check things off as you get ready.
Work on a stable surface, keep your free hand out of the cutting path, and have an adult handle sharp tools.
Three levels of light
- Leave intact
The full orange skin across the cheeks and forehead stays untouched and dark, framing the face.
- Peel & shade
Optional shallow skin-peeling around the eye and mouth edges can add a faint red halo, though this design works fine without it.
- Cut through
The two slanted eyes, the triangle nose, and the toothy grin are cut all the way through for the brightest glow.
Before you start cutting
How do I keep the fangs from breaking off?
Leave each fang connected to both the top and bottom edges of the mouth so it acts like a bridge. Cut slowly around the points and clear the waste in small pieces. Avoid making the fangs too thin or too tall, since a wider base is much stronger.
What makes the eyes look angry instead of friendly?
The anger comes from the steep inward slant. Point the inner corners of the eyes down toward the nose and keep the top edge high and sharp. A small triangle nose and an upturned grin complete the fierce expression.
Why does it glow deep red in the photo?
A warm LED inside a thinner pumpkin wall casts that reddish orange color, especially when the room is dark. Thinning the inside wall lets more light bleed through the skin around the cuts. Shooting in near total darkness deepens the red tones.
Your take belongs here, too.
Changed a detail? Made it simpler? Share a photo of your version and tell the community what worked.
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