As you may or may not have seen in the Intro thread I wish to build a puppet of LD Ablo. (El Diablo!!)

I was thinking that a solid block of foam cut to shape would be better to build my character as I wish to cover him in red felt afterwards.
Does anyone have advice on this?

Also would this place be a good place to get the foam?
http://www.twfoam.co.uk/shapedFoam.php?shapeID=1

I am a complete n00b so any help would be FANTASTIC!!

Never built a puppet solid foam but it occurs to me that this particular puppet might be difficult to use if built from a solid foam block.  I think there might be too much mass below the mouth.  maybe one of the members that has some experience with carved foam puppets could give us some advice.

I'll have to admit, like John I have never sculpted a puppet from a block of foam.............. but have seen others work here at Puppets and stuff. I do intend to try this method one day.
Decide what type foam you want............ I suggest that you call the company express your needs as a puppet builder and ask if they will send you samples of the different types of foam so you can see and feel the texture of the product. Most companys will be glad to send you small samples of each of there product line. Never feel intemidated to ask for samples. The same applies with fabrics.............. some may charge a small fee for fabric swatches.

Billy D.

Billy D.

I have sculpted from a block of foam before, and it's quite easy. However, the hardest part is figuring out how to do the mouth. Perhaps if you do a sketch or post an image of what you want it to look like; then we can help you a little better.

EDIT: Whoops! Just saw the other thread... If you want to carve a block of foam, get something rectangular. Because the head is that shape, you could halve it, and attach a mouth in between. However, the other methods mentioned in the other thread are just as good suggestions.

I agree with Jon on the fact that you should not carve out the head, Keep it simple and use 1/2 ' foam and build it.  I would use carving when it comes to a very detailed head with many curves and bumps and especially if it has a long snout.  For this guy you can easily use the flat foam and build him very nicely if you want to carve anything you may want to do that with the warts and the "horns" on the head and you will then get a taste for it. 

Instead of felt to cover consider a stretchy material and use that stretch to your advantage since it will hold nice to the foam and show all the details better.

I hope this helps.....

Daryl H

What kind of stretchy material?

Antron fleece, robe velour, polar fleece, etc.