Playful Seal Outline Jack-O-Lantern

From pumpkin to porch

1. 1

   Pick and prep a small pumpkin

   Choose a smaller, round pumpkin with one smooth, fairly flat face so the seal sits cleanly in the light. Have an adult cut a lid or, better for line work, a low back door so you can reach in without disturbing the front. Scrape the inside wall behind the design down to about one inch thick so light passes through your channels easily. A thinner, even wall makes narrow lines glow much brighter.

2. 2

   Transfer the seal outline

   Print or draw the seal in a single continuous outline, then tape the pattern snugly to the smooth face. Use a poker or pushpin to dot along every line, spacing the holes close together on tight curves like the nose and rear flipper. Peel the paper and connect the dots lightly with a marker so you can see the full shape. Add the short interior marks for the chest, front flipper, and a couple of whisker lines.

3. 3

   Carve the main outline channels

   With a small U-gouge, ride along the dotted outline and carve a channel most of the way through the wall, not all the way out. Go slowly and let the tool do the work so the groove stays even. Keep the same gouge in hand the entire time to hold a consistent line width. Test against a light now and then to check the glow before you deepen any spot.

4. 4

   Add the interior detail strokes

   Switch to the same gouge for the short chest curve, the flipper line, and the whiskers so they match the outline. Carve these a touch shallower than the main outline so they read as softer, secondary lines. Keep whisker strokes tiny and leave plenty of skin between them so nothing crumbles. Less is more here, since a few marks are enough to sell the seal.

5. 5

   Refine the glow with light peeling

   For a hint of shape, use a lino or ribbon tool to skin-peel a thin patch on the seal's belly and lower body. Remove just the outer skin so it glows a dim orange, giving the animal a little volume against the dark background. Wipe the face clean and check the balance against your light. Adjust any channel that looks too dim by gently deepening it.

6. 6

   Light it and photograph

   Drop in a battery LED puck rather than a candle, since steady cool light shows off clean lines and stays safe on a porch. Set the pumpkin on a step near your door as evening falls for the warmest contrast. Rub a little petroleum jelly into the cut channels to slow drying and keep the edges crisp. Snap a photo straight on so the full seal outline stays sharp and centered.