Toaster Head Technique

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Toaster Head Technique

Step 1 First we start out with our favorite "Caffeine" laden soda. Mine is Dr. Pepper served over ice in my favorite coffee pot. | Step One Image
Step Two Image | Step 2 Next we need a design, for this example I have chosen to do a fox, and here is the pre-drawing.
Step 3 Now you need my best friend in the whole wide world, "Bob". He will be receiving several abuses and indignities, I suggest you either get a friend like him or make one as I did out of a foam block. I like Bob because his head measurements are close to mine, and his shoulders make great pincushions, as you will see in steps ahead. | Step Three Image
Step Four Image | Step 4 The first indignity for Bob, I place a "Arkansas Tumble Weed" (a Wal-Mart bag) over his head, and fit it in place with a rubber band. This will allow easy removal of the future head, but unfortunately cuts off Bob's air supply.
Step 5 I take a piece of 1" thick foam around 27"-30" long at least, and cut out 3 pieces. A strip about 28" long and 3"-4.5" wide (This is the center), and 2 roughly round piece cut from a pattern I have developed from trial and error (these are the sides of the head), I try to cut the edges of the sides of the head pieces at 45 degree angles. | Step Five Image
Step Six A Image & Step Six B Image | Step 6 Now taking quilters pins (you'll need allot of these) I line the center piece onto Bob, and pin it in place, with a good number to make sure the foam doesn't get free.
Step 7 Then I pin the sides onto the center to make sure it all aligns ok, and then make any adjustments, or shave off excess. | Step Seven Image
Step Eight A Image & Step Eight B Image | Step 8 Taking High Temp hot glue I slowly attach all three pieces together, doing around 3"-6" along each seam and wait for it to dry, then do another 3"-6" until all sides are attached. Another reason I use the bag on Bob is to prevent the base shell from sticking to Bob. This step is why I call it the Toaster Head Technique, notice how it kind of looks like a toaster cover *Grin*.
Step 9 Now I place the head on me, and aligning external marks (drawn with a sharpie) with my own eyes. Taking the head off I get my favorite Wolf Park shot glass (It has paws on it *Grin*), using the small side I center the glass on the marks, and with the sharpie draw circles. Once done, using a box cutter I cut the basic eyehole out. Then I try on the head again to see if my measurements were right. These holes will be made larger later during the furring, and eye building process. | Step Nine A Image & Step Nine B Image
Step Ten A Image & Step Ten B Image | Step 10 Now comes the basic build up, I place simple 1"-2" thick pieces of foam in places I know were most of the shape and thickness will be. This begins the most intimidating phases, its even hard for me to see a fox in this nightmare.
Step 11 To give myself an idea of where I'm going I draw on eyes, and anything else I need to watch the placement on. Usually only eyes get marked. The I begin to shape the large toasterish part by taking a electric turkey cutter, box cutters, and scissors and attempt to conservatively flatten out the head. I constantly refer to the shape of the head in the design drawing when doing any cutting. Another thing to know is that the electric cutter will slide through foam pretty easily, but it doesn't like the hot glue seams. Take it slow and firm when you hit hot glue; it will cut, just slower. | Step Eleven A Image & Step Eleven B Image
Step Twelve A Image & Step Twelve B Image | Step 12 Next I start to really add on layers of foam with hot glue, trying to further shape it. Anything goes here use whatever shape, piece, or scrap that will lend the foundation of the shape you seek. You also want to much rather then not enough, later steps will cut away excess, so don't be afraid to be generous, just watch you proportions. Again constantly refer to your design drawings.
Step 13 Once you feel that you have built up enough, and gotten a rough foundation, start carving with your cutting tools. Things don't have to be perfect, any minor mistake, pits, or holes the fur will later cover up. Fur is very forgiving; so don't waste time or motivation on needless perfections. | Step Thirteen A Image & Step Thirteen B Image & Step Thirteen C Image
Step Fourteen A Image & Step Fourteen B Image & Step Fourteen C Image | Step 14 At this point I start adding and taking away as needed, usually working in small doses on one area at a time. Here I decided to shape the cheeks with foam instead of cutting down to shape. I also have added ½" foam to the brow of the head, and shaved down to give the illusion of a flatter head (like most cartoon animals have). It is wise to exaggerate features like the eyebrows and the rosy cheeks from the smile, as fur will wash small shallow detail away much the same way it dose imperfections in the foam.
Step 15 Once satisfied with the general shape, I give it a once over to fix and align any uneven or dissimilarities between the two sides of the head. | Step Fifteen A Image & Step Fifteen B Image & Step Fifteen C Image
Step Sixteen A Image & Step Sixteen B Image & Step Sixteen C Image | Step 16 Now taking a piece of ½" foam I shape an ear, and compare its size with the proportions of the head and the look of the design drawing, when a happy size and shape are attained I cut out the ear in plastic mesh (You can get in craft sections at any store). Make two of these, and then cut a slit form the bottom up to the center, push the bottoms of the cut edges together ½"-1" and hot glue. This will make an ear bowl and slightly curve the ear, I pin on to see how on looks (see photo 16 B). Then I hot glue the foam ears on to the mesh ones. This gives stability to the thin ½" foam, and a realistic bounce. Finally, position the ears (using pins), and when satisfied mark with a sharpie, then hot glue them on. I suggest using a lot here, are the ears will receive lots of abuse.

Step 17
The nose *insert dramatic music here*, I start by placing small pieces of foam on the carved muzzle, and glue them down Image A & B. Once the glue has set I carve the foam into the desired shape (remember the thickness of the fur that will be applied here as you want a close transition) Images C & D. Note: this type of nose can be done on a seperate peice of foam and glue on after the fur is applied.

Step Seventeen A Image
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Step Seventeen B Image
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Step Seventeen C Image
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Step Seventeen D Image

Step Eightteen A Image & Step Eightteen B Image | Step 18 Taking a piece of black felt stretch it over a hard object roughly the shape of the nose (in this case a votive candle holder). Then using a paint stick I stretch an edges into the felt close to the pointed edge of the nose.
Step 19 Now taking spray adhesive (3M Super 77), I lightly coat the in side of the nose felt, and the tip of the foam nose. Carefully stretch the felt over the foam nose, get out as many puckers as you can, the one you can get of try and make as symmetrical as possible on each side. Once the glue sets, take a pair of tiny scissors and snip off the puckers flat. Then lift the edges of the cut puckers (If you can), and hot glue them down. Then trim off the excess felt and leave the edges (where the fur meets) un glued, as you will tuck the fur later. | Step Nineteen A Image & Step Nineteen B Image

Step Twenty A Image
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Step Twenty B Image
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Step Twenty C Image

Step 20
Again, I give the head a through final shaping, working out any problems or misshapes (a little perfection here, but not much), as you are prepping the head for is fur covering. I will also select the fur colors that closest fit the design. Eyes, Noses, Teeth (if the mouth is open), etc. will come during or after the furring of the head. (The lack of the nose is due to me getting ahead of my self, these are the pic previous to the nose).

To fur a head see the section on: "Furring Your Melon"

© 1993-2005: All rights reserved by Odis Holcomb ( OH, O. Holcomb, or Ryngs Rakune). Any reproduction or distribution of the artwork, designs, and images presented here without the prior consent of the artist is strictly prohibited.