Well it was a toss up for me between a ship and a castle. My first impression was of a ship but then I kept looking at it and thought well maybe it is a castle.   I think what threw me off the most was the square windows.  I think if they were all round portholes like the one on the front there would be no guess work.  Of course in a performance you have the action and story to help you out also so I doubt anyone will wonder.

Hey Pat, glad you've joined us here.  Cute puupet in your avatar.  Recognize those fabrics.  \

Hi Pat, i really like what you are going to do and wish you good luck for your show

Hi Pat!

First you said "Julie at Out Of The Box Puppets is my “Go-To” person for resources. Great help!!!!" 

Soooo true!  Julie is so wonderful!  Hi Julie!

second, for larger props like that we use the foam insulation board you can get at Home Depot or Lowe's.  Only about $10 a sheet for 4x8!!!

It's light weight, easy to cut, paintable and I'm sure you could glue/modgepodge on it too! I haven't tried that yet but I think I will test it just to see. Hmmm

I have a boat that is made with the foam insulation but the blacklight portion was painted onto white bulletin board paper with fluorescent spray paint and covered with clear contact paper, then taped onto the foam board with clear tape.  It sits on the floor for a life-sized pirate to sit in.  He really just sits on a chair covered in black behind the boat.  It is not a 3-D version like yours, just the front.  I don't have a picture of it but hopefully since my daughter got a new camera for Christmas I can finally get some pictures of my stuff!!

Anyway, welcome to puppetsandstuff. So glad to meet another puppet team director. 

second, for larger props like that we use the foam insulation board you can get at Home Depot or Lowe's.  Only about $10 a sheet for 4x8!!!

It's light weight, easy to cut, paintable and I'm sure you could glue/modgepodge on it too! I haven't tried that yet but I think I will test it just to see. Hmmm

Yep works just fine to glue to.  That is what I was actually speaking of in my reply. Just have to remember to remove the layer of plastic that is often on each side to protect it.   Actually forgot one time.  Something else to watch out for with these sheets, is that some of them have score lines running vertically in them to make it easier to break down to smaller size. Try to avoid those... that is unless you need to break down to that size.  Think normally they are scored in quarters.

I missed that in your reply Shawn some how. LOL.  I skim too fast sometimes.  I haven't seen the scored ones before. Also you said it doesn't paint well but we've found if you use flat latex paint and a roller it does stick and does not flake off at all.  But it needs a thin first coat, after it dries then you can add other types of compatible paint over that like tempra paints and black light paints and the like.  Just no spray paint obviously.  I am anxious to try some fabric/glue on a prop.  I just don't know what yet!!!

Well you can paint it but we found that without some type of base like the fabric, that it would scrap of easily.  With all the transporting we would do of sets and such it just seemed to work better to give the sheets this layer of fabric and then paint them.  Also while on the subject I thought I should mention not to forget that fabric does shrink if it is not pre-washed. What that means is that if you apply fabric to one side of something it can warp it to that side. So either pre-wash the fabric or apply your coat of fabric to the back side before the front fully dries. Same thing can happen when you paint cardboard. I've seen paint itself warp a larger piece of cardboard unless you paint both sides.

Thanks to everyone!!  I liked using the fabric and it was so much easier than just painting.  Also, it will have to be more durable making use of a prop longer.  Since storage is becoming an issue with us for BIG props, I am also thinking of the banging around it gets (and scraping that occurs).  This "ship" is collapsible, making it easier to store and with the fabric, a whole lot stronger than just cardboard. Thanks for the pre-washing tip.  Sure would hate to do all of that work and have it warp
Yep, love my Avatar pic too.  Thanks Julie.

Hi PAT! Very nice to have you with us!

Welcome to Puppets and Stuff!