Pumpkin carving

Carving pumpkins is a creative and enjoyable family activity that is especially enjoyable in the fall. It’s a custom that brings laughter, chaos, and the flicker of candlelight shining through carved patterns into our homes. Pumpkin carving is a great way to embrace the spirit of fall, whether you’re making a spooky face or a warm smile.

This is an opportunity to let your imagination run wild rather than just making a decoration. Adults can relish the challenge of more complex patterns, but children love the practical experience of scooping out seeds and creating their own Jack-o’-lanterns. Regardless of age or ability level, there is something for everyone, from straightforward cuts to complex scenes.

Pumpkin carving can be a fun and secure tradition for everyone with a few simple tools and safety advice. This post will discuss various carving methods, offer advice on selecting the ideal pumpkin, and offer creative ideas to make your designs pop. So gather your supplies and pumpkins, and get ready to work together to create something truly unique!

Once upon a time there lived Jack..

Thus, there once was a farmer by the name of Jack. Some sources also claim that he was Irish, which contrary to popular belief did not make him more submissive and calm. What’s more serene is that, to be honest, he was a nasty little man. Rather than cultivating his land, he haunted bars, bothered his neighbors, and even committed theft. It is not surprising that he was discovered pulling another practical joke by his fellow villagers, who then chose to either severely beat him or demand a debt from him.

And so, when Jack tried to escape from the angry crowd, he met the devil. Jack begged him to turn into a silver coin – he said that he would give it to the pursuers, they would fight among themselves, and Jack would get out of this mess. And then – was it or not! – take Jack’s soul, devil. The devil agreed, and the cunning Jack put the coin in his pocket, where, among other stolen goods, there was also a cross. So the devil could not turn back into evil spirits and was forced to fulfill all of Jack"s demands. And these included not only a successful release from the neighbor"s bashing, but also a promise never, under any circumstances, to take Jack to hell!

And so Jack"s earthly life came to an end. However, the thief and swindler were not allowed into heaven, and, remembering the old promise, they were not taken into hell either. So he remained on earth, sad and lost. And when night fell, he made himself a lantern from a pumpkin. But he didn’t have a fire to light the lantern and no one, no one wanted to share with him (evil farmers!) And only the devil mockingly threw him a few coals from the fires of hell. Jack put them in his homemade lantern (Jack of the Lantern) and set off to wander the world with them, waiting for the Last Judgment.

An unsettling tale? You haven’t yet witnessed pumpkin carving!

Carving pumpkins is a creative and entertaining family activity that allows them to connect while creating one-of-a-kind fall décor. Pumpkin carving is more than just making gory faces for Halloween; it helps kids develop their fine motor skills, use their imaginations, and make lifelong memories. Anyone can enjoy this easy tradition and bring a little homemade magic into any home with a little preparation.

Carving a Siberian pumpkin

Selecting a pumpkin is the most challenging aspect of pumpkin carving. In other words, it shouldn’t be the kind that practically never grows in Siberia—not too large, not too ribbed, and not too thick-skinned. Consequently, it’s a good idea to affix a strong man and some tools to the pumpkin. All subsequent instructions are predicated on the supposition that you are in possession of the appropriate man or pumpkin. Now, let’s get creative!

1. Wash the pumpkin, wipe it and place it on a flat surface.
2. Cut off the “lid” with the stalk from the pumpkin, the cut should be at an angle so that the lid does not failed. Well, or practice cutting out a lid with a star or hexagon. (Click on the photo to enlarge)
3. Scrape out the pumpkin through the resulting hole. Scrape the pulp too – the thickness of the walls, especially in the place where the "face" will be, should be no more than 2 cm.
4. Attach the stencil to the flattest and smoothest side of the pumpkin. Use an awl to pierce the drawing along the contour so that tiny holes mark the drawing on the vegetable. Note: if you have remarkable artistic talent, you can skip this step. Just take a felt-tip pen and draw whatever your heart desires on the pumpkin.
5. Trace the outline with a felt-tip pen and carefully (carefully!) use a small sharp knife to peel off the skin from the places that you will have to cut through.
6. Now cut out the excess pulp to make holes. Don"t try to cut holes right away – it"s too difficult. Erase marker marks with any alcohol-containing liquid: vodka or Chanel No. 5.
7. Fill the pumpkin with newspapers, let it dry. Change the newspapers. Change again.
8. Put a candle or (safer) a Christmas tree garland inside.
9. Close the lid. You"ve done it! Put the tools and the man back in place.

Here are some images of Halloween pumpkin carvings to serve as inspiration and practical pumpkin drawing stencils.

(Click the image to view it larger.)

If the instructions don’t make you feel confident or if you just feel bad about ruining the pumpkin, then…

Decorating Siberian pumpkin

It is not appropriate to remove the pumpkin’s top, contaminate the vegetable that is high in vitamins, and generally tamper with food. You can simply use it for cooking as usual after giving it a little decoration. The kids are content, and the pumpkins are safe! This master class contains a number of concepts>>>>

We also suggest looking more closely at carving an entire pumpkin. You can create a really intriguing work of folk art if you just cut off the skin in specific areas (it is preferable, of course, if the skin color contrasts with the pulp)!

(Click the image to view it larger.)

Generally speaking, you can paint a pumpkin (you can even use gouache!), create colored paper appliques, experiment with decoupage, and adhere dried fall foliage. Unfortunately, there will be no more light effects.

(Click the image to view it larger.)

More than just a fun family pastime, carving pumpkins fosters creativity and strong family bonds. Every stage of the process, from selecting the ideal pumpkin to adding the finishing touches, presents an opportunity to make priceless memories with your loved ones. It’s a playful custom that promotes cooperation and gives each person a chance to express their individual artistic flair.

As you get ready to carve your pumpkin, keep in mind that safety comes first. Make sure everyone in the family participates in age-appropriate activities, such as designing or scraping out the insides of pumpkins. In this manner, there are no worries for anyone and everyone can take part and enjoy the process.

In the end, pumpkin carving is a family activity that creates a memorable shared experience in addition to a festive decoration. What really makes the activity worthwhile is the joy of creating something special as a family, regardless of how intricate or simple your designs are. So get your materials together, unleash your creativity, and have fun!

Video on the topic

Pumpkin carving by artist Angel Boraliev

Pumpkin carving: how Joshua O"Sullivan was created

Pumpkin carving by Lyus"ena Kurbatova | Patterned pumpkin carving – Carving.

Engraved rose on a pumpkin | fruit carving

Pumpkin carving

Pumpkin carving table decoration