The definitive classic: triangle eyes, a small triangle nose and a wide grin with two square teeth, carved into a round pumpkin and set on a wooden windowsill between two uncarved pumpkins. The city light behind it shows how a jack-o-lantern can work indoors with no candle at all. The two plain pumpkins either side are what make the composition, so leave them whole.
Save this design for carving night, then share a photo of your own jack-o'-lantern once it's glowing.
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first.
Our tips for carving a similar design
The definitive classic. Two triangle eyes, a small triangle nose, and a wide grin with two square teeth, cut into a round pumpkin and set on a windowsill between two uncarved pumpkins. What makes it work is the composition: the plain pumpkins frame the carved one, and the daylight through the window means it never needs a candle.
Written by PumpkinCarvingIdeas.com, inspired by @PumpkinKing'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
1
Choose three pumpkins
Pick one round, evenly shaped pumpkin for the face and two slightly smaller ones to flank it. Cut a lid around the stem of the face pumpkin at an angle, scoop it clean, and thin the front wall to about an inch. The other two stay whole.
2
Draw the face
With a washable marker, draw two triangle eyes with their points up, a small triangle nose pointing down between them, and a wide smile. Hang two square teeth from the top lip, spaced apart. Keep everything centered and level.
3
Cut the eyes and nose
Saw the three small triangles first with a thin carving saw. Push the pieces out from inside so the corners stay crisp. Small shapes first keeps the pumpkin firm for the big cut.
4
Cut the grin
Cut the mouth as one opening. For each tooth, cut down both sides before cutting across the bottom, so the tooth is supported until the last stroke. Smooth the lip line with the tip of the blade.
5
Stage the windowsill
Set the carved pumpkin in the middle of a sill or shelf with a plain pumpkin on each side, stems up. Turn the face slightly toward the room. Daylight from behind lights the whole scene, so no candle is needed.
6
Light it at night
After dark, drop in a battery tea light and the face glows against the window. Keep it a few inches from curtains. A carved pumpkin indoors lasts about a week, so carve it close to Halloween.
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 two flanking pumpkins stay whole. They are the frame that makes the picture.
Peel & shade
None. This is the pure classic, all cutouts.
Cut through
Two triangle eyes, the triangle nose and the two-toothed grin are cut fully through.
Composition. The two plain pumpkins either side give the carved face a frame, and the window light behind it adds depth. The same face alone on a step would look ordinary.
How long will it last indoors?
About a week. Indoor warmth speeds up softening, so carve it a few days before you want it on display, and keep it out of direct sun. The uncarved pumpkins will last well over a month.
What is the easiest way to get the teeth right?
Draw them as squares hanging from the top lip, then cut the two vertical sides of each tooth first and the bottom edge last. Cutting across the bottom first leaves the tooth hanging by its weakest point.
Your take belongs here, too.
Changed a detail? Made it simpler? Share a photo of your version and tell the community what worked.
Want more designs like this? Browse our full library of pumpkin carving ideas, or pick a free printable stencil. Every pattern and template in our own collection is free to print at home.
Comments (0)