Bigsy the Round Cartoon Bat

From pumpkin to porch

1. 1

   Transfer the pattern and plan your islands

   Since this is an inspiration concept and no real pumpkin exists, start by picking a smooth medium pumpkin and taping your stencil flat over the widest front area. Poke the outline of the big head circle, both eye rings, the ears, and the wing stubs with a pin tool. Before you lift the paper, mark one thin bridge across each pupil opening so the iris ring will not drop out. Connecting the dots first saves you from guessing later.

2. 2

   Open a back door and clean the wall

   Cut a hole in the back of the pumpkin rather than the top so the face wall stays strong. Scoop out the seeds and pulp, then scrape the inside of the front wall down to about one inch thick. A thinner wall makes the eye rings and the big head easier to cut cleanly. Even thickness also helps the light spread evenly across both eyes.

3. 3

   Shave the ears and wing stubs first

   The ears and the two angular wing stubs are meant to glow dim, so peel only the skin off those shapes and leave the pale flesh beneath. Use a lino gouge or a peeler for shallow, controlled passes and stop before you go all the way through. Keep the edges crisp so the pointed ears and wing tips stay sharp. Doing these delicate areas early means less handling stress once big holes are open.

4. 4

   Cut the eyes and protect the iris rings

   Now cut the two eye openings, but carve around each dark iris ring so it stays as a floating disc of rind. Leave the one thin bridge you marked across each pupil so the disc cannot fall inward. Make small, patient saw strokes and support the rind with your free hand from inside the shell. If a ring feels loose, add a second tiny bridge rather than forcing it.

5. 5

   Cut the big head circle last

   Save the large round head opening for the very end, since it removes the most material and weakens the wall. Cut it in short arcs, working around the perimeter so you never leave a long unsupported span. Push each cut piece gently inward and out to avoid cracking the eye area above it. Once it is open, clean the edges with a small knife for a smooth round rim.

6. 6

   Light it and photograph

   Set a battery LED tea light or a small puck light inside, centered behind the face so both eyes glow evenly. Skip real candles, since the thin bridges and pupil discs can scorch and the heat dries out the rind. Test in a dark room and nudge the light until the round stare reads clearly. Shoot at dusk from straight on to keep that big cartoon face as the focal point.

Written with AI to match this design