Introduction: Lord of the Rings Inspired Pumpkin
This is a relatively simple and very awesome-looking way to carve a pumpkin. The design was inspired by the One Ring, from J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings Trilogy.
Step 1: Materials and Tools
Materials:
- Pumpkin - preferably very round and not too tall; as spherical as possible
- Gold spray paint
- A light source - I used a candelabra style bulb because it is much brighter than a candle, and made the inscription easier to read.
Tools:
- Standard pumpkin de-gutting tools
- X-acto knife
- Toothpicks, pins, or tacks
- Printer
- Pumpkin - preferably very round and not too tall; as spherical as possible
- Gold spray paint
- A light source - I used a candelabra style bulb because it is much brighter than a candle, and made the inscription easier to read.
Tools:
- Standard pumpkin de-gutting tools
- X-acto knife
- Toothpicks, pins, or tacks
- Printer
Step 2: Creating the Template
I created this template by dowloading a font from fontriver.com called Elvish Ring NFI. The direct link is here.
After installing the font, all I had to do to create the template was type out what I wanted the pumpkin to say and print it out. I had mine read "One pumpkin to rule them all"
I didn't bother converting it all into the Black Speech of Mordor, but it still looks cool in English. If you really want to go all-out and follow the Tengwar alphabet that Tolkien uses in his books, some great info on it can be found here.
After installing the font, all I had to do to create the template was type out what I wanted the pumpkin to say and print it out. I had mine read "One pumpkin to rule them all"
I didn't bother converting it all into the Black Speech of Mordor, but it still looks cool in English. If you really want to go all-out and follow the Tengwar alphabet that Tolkien uses in his books, some great info on it can be found here.
Step 3: Carve the Pumpkin
Put the template on the pumpkin using pins, toothpicks, tacks, tape, or anything else you can think of that will attach it to the pumpkin. Then poke holes through the template into the pumpkin using a small, pointy object, such as toothpicks, pins, of an X-acto knife.
After removing the template, use the X-acto knife to cut out the letters. Because the letters are so thin, I didn't cut all the way through the pumpkin, but only about a fourth of the way in. I angled the knife so that after cutting out the two sides of a letter, a wedge-shaped piece could be popped out.
By not cutting all the way through, the light creates a nice reddish-orange glow, very similar to the letters on the ring.
After cutting out all of the letters, I went through with a toothpick to deepen them and clear out any residue.
After removing the template, use the X-acto knife to cut out the letters. Because the letters are so thin, I didn't cut all the way through the pumpkin, but only about a fourth of the way in. I angled the knife so that after cutting out the two sides of a letter, a wedge-shaped piece could be popped out.
By not cutting all the way through, the light creates a nice reddish-orange glow, very similar to the letters on the ring.
After cutting out all of the letters, I went through with a toothpick to deepen them and clear out any residue.
Step 4: Cut and Paint
If you are using an electric bulb instead of a candle, cut a hole for the bulb to go into. Depending on the bulb and mount you are using, you may need to change the location and/or size of the hole.
After the hole is cut, simply spray paint the entire thing gold. Be very careful not to get too much paint over the letters, because the light may not shine through if it is too thick.
After the hole is cut, simply spray paint the entire thing gold. Be very careful not to get too much paint over the letters, because the light may not shine through if it is too thick.
Step 5: Finished!
Now, all you have to do is insert the light and enjoy. If you keep Gollum from grabbing it and falling into Mt. Doom, you will have a very impressive-looking pumpkin for Halloween!