Eye Shapes - What do you use?

[gdub106]

I have generally found that finding a variety of eye shapes is hard so I've decided to consult fellow puppet builders, where else or from what else can I make interesting eyes besides from Ping Pong balls and spoons?

One Way Street & PP's puppets have some eye shapes which I can't find anywhere and I'd really wish I could:
http://www.onewaystreet.com/images/uploads/582_1560_large.jpg
http://www.onewaystreet.com/images/uploads/948_1425_popup.jpg
http://www.onewaystreet.com/images/uploads/954_1438_popup.jpg
http://www.onewaystreet.com/images/uploads/560_1553_large.jpg
http://www.onewaystreet.com/images/uploads/PCZ-12.jpg
http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/puppetproductions_1983_7245475

[MsPuppet]

Most of those are pre made eyes (such as for stuffed animals). I use some of them, have found them at a variety of places online, through catalogs and on ebay.   I have even cut eyes off stuffed animals, cut the back plastic or metal holder off and re used them.

[DearMyrah]

Hey gdub--

Most of the OWS puppets you've linked to there are custom designs... you can do a lot with a little vacuform! They do carry a few other puppet-y kinds of eyes in their puppet building supplies.

Also, you might wanna check out this thread about eye making... some great ideas there. And I've got a few eye-related bookmarks over at del.icio.us if you're interested.

--My

[gdub106]

@MS Oh cool thanks! I never thought of that! -slaps head-

@My Oh I know that XD; I just like the types of shapes and want to look for different kinds. Vacuform? O: What's that? And I did just that they seem a tad small. And oh thanks for the links! -starts looking through them- Getting some ideas already =] Thanks a million!

[Na]

I've been making my eyes out of Sculpey, the clay. It's been excellent - it doesn't shatter or chip, you can sand it down, and painting it is easy.

[Sonny Vegas]

Ping Pong balls
Plastic spoons....we have a great tutorial on making the iris.
Sculpey...Na mentioned
Nerf Balls
Check ebay for eyes. Michelle has a nice selection and Ben carries the muppet half ball eyes

[stiqman]

I think there are many methods for those eyes to be made.  I think you may need to use types of plastic sheets to make carve out shapes.  It looks like they stick on a glass teddy bear eye on top to make the pupils.  I wish I had more info myself, but this may get you thinking.

Daryl H

[dacostasr]

styrofoam balls cut in half with pupils from "furniture" protection dots (wallyworld)

Dennis

[puppetunderground]

Here's a tip I picked up from a program on prosthetic eyes.  If you're bored of plain old ping pong balls, you can add a little pop by adding some veins to the eyes.  It's really easy: just take some red silk thread (or some of the 'shedded' material from red furry fleece, this works nicely) and some clear, high gloss lacquer (available at most craft stores).  Cut the silk thread to length and grab one end with a pair of tweezers.  Dip a brush in the lacquer and set the free end of the thread on the surface of the ping pong ball eye.  Then just brush the lacquer over the thread, being sure to apply liberally enough so it adheres to the eyeball.  Once it's held in place, grab your tweezers and you can shape the vein while you wait for the lacquer to dry. 

This technique creates a pretty realistic looking eyeball.  For a more in your face look, use the shedded ends of red furry fleece and clump a few strands together for a thicker, more cracked out three-a.m.-ten-cups-of-coffee-eye.  I'll post pics of some cracked-out looking eyes when they're available. 

Cheers,
G

[puppetunderground]

Here are those pics I promised.

Cheers,
G

[Nojoy]

I really like using the plastic spoon method myself... Recently I've been using plastic soup spoons for a more rounded eye shape.

[puck]

I  recently tried 2 new methods:

1: cheap crayola model magic coated in elmers, is somewhat like hard plastic, but very hard to fix once it is dry

2: balsa wood, which can also be coated in pasticdip or other such finishing products, even gesso

Not only do these work great for eyes, you can also make any custom shape, or even regular shapes for noses, teeth, horns, nails, and such.

[spam]

Hiya,
I have only made 2 puppets but I used the Polystyrene (Styrofoam) balls cut in half for eyes on 1 and the second puppet i used some white Foamies stuff. Its great, I just cut the shape i wanted using scissors and hot glued them in place. then I managed to get some Pupils for teddy bears at my local craft shop. they are small black plastic domes. these were hot glued onto the white foamies.

I found a good blog that uses foamies to make eyes which might be useful at www.rrpuppeteyes.blogspot.com

When I go browsing at the craft shop I try to look out for different items that can be used for eyes. I saw some large white buttons which might be good. I havent tried the plastic spoon method yet but I like the look of these aswell.

It seems the only limit is a persons imagination and resourcefullness.

the possibilities are endless!!

Spam