Tut the Tangled Mummy

From pumpkin to porch

1. 1

   Plan the wrap and open the pumpkin

   Since this is a concept image, start by picking a round pumpkin with a smooth, blemish-free face. Cut a lid from the bottom instead of the top so the mummy's head stays intact, then scoop the walls to about one inch thick. A thinner wall lets the peeled strips glow more evenly. Wipe the surface dry before you draw.

2. 2

   Sketch the bandage strips

   With a washable marker, draw long strips that crisscross the whole front at odd, overlapping angles. Vary the width and let some strips run diagonally over others so the wrapping looks messy and real. Mark the two round eye openings where the strips part, roughly centered and evenly spaced. Leave thin gaps of untouched skin between strips so the bandages read as separate layers.

3. 3

   Score the strip edges

   An adult should use a small detail knife to cut shallow lines along both edges of every bandage strip, about a quarter inch deep. These score lines give the peeler a clean stopping point and keep neighboring strips crisp. Do not cut through the wall, you only want to outline the strips. Take your time at the overlaps so the layering stays clear.

4. 4

   Peel the strips for the glow

   Switch to a sturdy vegetable peeler and shave the orange skin off the surface of each strip, staying inside your scored edges. Peel down to the pale flesh so the strip glows dim orange when lit, and let the depth wander a little for a worn, gauzy texture. Leave the narrow gaps between strips unpeeled so they stay dark and separate the bandages. Uneven peeling only adds to the ragged mummy look.

5. 5

   Cut the eyes last

   Once all the peeling is done, cut the two round eyes fully through the wall with the detail knife. Saving these openings for last keeps the face strong while you work the rest of the surface. Angle the cut slightly outward so the light spreads a bit as it exits. Clean up any ragged inner edges so the eyes read as clean, dark holes.

6. 6

   Light it and photograph

   Drop a battery LED puck or string inside, never a candle, since the thin peeled walls scorch easily. Set the pumpkin on a step or porch and dim the surrounding lights to see the strips glow. The eyes should punch bright while the bandages give a soft, warm shimmer. Snap your photo from straight on to show off the crisscross pattern.

Written with AI to match this design