Powertex Ghoul Shoulder Accessory

Designer – Donna Mcghie

For this month’s articles the Powertex Design Team were asked to look back over the archives and put our own spin on a previous creation by one of our colleagues. What an inspiration it was going back over past Powertex sculptures and creations.  I was spoilt for choice.  However, the one creation that stopped me in my tracks was the Powertex Halloween Ghoul from October 2018, by the very talented Anna Emelia Howlett, of Rosehart Designs. 

A spooky little Powertex Ghoul shoulder buddy for Halloween by Donna Mcghie

I have to admit to have never having watched a Harry Potter film in my life. I was unsure what a dementor was, but I liked the challenge of doing something so outside of my comfort zone.

However, this was not to be an exact copy of Anna’s brilliant design.  My take on it was to create a smaller one, who could be worn on the shoulder to watch over me as Halloween approaches.  Whether he is friend or foe remains to be seen.

“Where there is no imagination there is no horror” So says Sherlock Holmes in Arthur Conan Doyle’s book  A Study in Scarlet.

Anyone who has ever watched a horror film with me will testify that I have a very vivid imagination.  It was still great fun creating this little Powertex dementor though

Materials List

• Black Powertex Fabric Hardener
• Silver Colortricx Pigment
• Interference Blue Pigment
• Powertex Easy Varnish
• Powertex Paper Decoration
• Small Polystyrene Skull Head
• Wire
• Thin Cloth
• Masking Tape

How to make a Powertex Halloween Ghoul

Step 1

In Anna’s original she adapted her skull to have an open mouth. Mine was too small to do this.

I  poked some wire in the base of my skull for a neck, and then built shoulders using wire, foil and masking tape.

Step 2

I placed my ghoul on the jacket shoulder to check it fitted

I added on long bony fingers with some extra wire.

Step 3

I propped him up on a plastic container so I could work on him without it sticking

I painted him in black Powertex and added kitchen roll for texture.

Step 4

As well as material I added texture with Paperdec and string

I soaked thin cloth in Black Powertex Fabric Hardener for his cloak.

Step 5

Scary Face!!

I decided to enlarge his mouth and eyes by making holes with scissors.

Step 6

Dry brushing brings out all that texture

Finishing touches

Once my ghoul had dried I added the final touches of dry brushing, using Anna’s choice of pigments.

Getting it to sit upright on my jacket was a challenge. Initially I had planned to use velcro, but decided I didn’t want his company on a permanent basis, only on spooky nights.

I compromised by using big safety pins. As I had only used thin material I was able to push pins through his cloak, and also hook them over his bony hands. This ensured my ghoul stayed in place and looks over my shoulder as long as I want him to.

I hope you have enjoyed my take on Anna’s Powertex ghoul. Any comments you wish to leave would be greatly appreciated. You can see the original ghoul over on Anna’s blog here. We’d love to see your take on a Powertex Ghoul, over on our Facebook page The Powertex Studio.

You can see more of what I get up to over on my website or my facebook page. That’s all from me for this month. Until September take care, keep on creating, and may all your ghouls be friendly ones 🙂