W.I.P. Ernie Replica

[ToodlesTeam]

Hey folks! I've been working on a new replica puppet, and I thought I'd show it off! It's Ernie!

I did some impressions with my Kermit and Rowlf puppets last year at a family reunion which were very well received, so this year Ernie and his rubber ducky are going to make an appearance! Just like my Kermit and Rowlf replicas, the goal here was to create a good looking likeness, using affordable and convenient supplies.

I've just got the head done so far, but I'm quite pleased with the results:
http://i745.photobucket.com/albums/xx96/ToodlesTeam/P6090100.jpg
http://i745.photobucket.com/albums/xx96/ToodlesTeam/P6090101.jpg
http://i745.photobucket.com/albums/xx96/ToodlesTeam/P6090102.jpg
http://i745.photobucket.com/albums/xx96/ToodlesTeam/P6090104.jpg

More pics when I get him all done!

 

[Frogpuppeteer]

very cool cant wait to see the finished ernie

 

[unheard]

same here. amazing work.

 

[unheard]

Just wondering what are your plans for the t shirt as I found a mens t shirt in asda supermarket but it was not 100% accurate

 

[TML]

That head looks great, especially the hair. Suggestion- the nose looks a little too big. It looks like a 2" clown nose. Is it? Might try a 1". It really does look very good though!

 

[Adam Kreutinger]

that does look great! it is very impressive. thee eyes look great too, i use a similar technique. might i suggest using a dremel tool to smooth out the edges of the eyes, it makes them look less spoon like.
great work.

Adam

 

[ToodlesTeam]

That head looks great, especially the hair. Suggestion- the nose looks a little too big. It looks like a 2" clown nose. Is it? Might try a 1". It really does look very good though!

The nose actually looks bigger in the pictures than it is. I think I had to camera too close to the puppet and it made it look huge for some reason. It's actually a styrofoam ball covered with red fleece. It might be a touch too large, but I have a feeling a 1" ball would be too small, and more noticable

Adam Kreutinger: That's not a bad idea to smooth out the eyes, but I don't have a dremel or access to one, and the eyes are hot glued on, so it's a little late now.

unheard: The shirt is going to be made out of a printed fleece I found at my local Jo-Ann Fabrics store. I searched the store for the most accurate pattern, and this particular fleece was the winner. It's not the same as his actual shirt, but it definitely looks "Ernie-esque" which is satisfactory for me. I was more concerned with finding a good pattern, then finding an accurate type of shirt material.

 

[practicecactus]

Just a heads up, if you really wanted to, there are print-on-demand services for fabrics. This would be ideal for those hard to find bert and ernie shirt repeating patterns. Just make your own. http://www.spoonflower.com/welcome

And while I'm the subject of custom puppet clothing, redbubble now offers children sizes for designs. Now you can design something and have it on perfect, puppet-sized T-shirts.

P.S. Oh yeah, nice replica.

 

[ToodlesTeam]

Just a heads up, if you really wanted to, there are print-on-demand services for fabrics. This would be ideal for those hard to find bert and ernie shirt repeating patterns. Just make your own. http://www.spoonflower.com/welcome

And while I'm the subject of custom puppet clothing, redbubble now offers children sizes for designs. Now you can design something and have it on perfect, puppet-sized T-shirts.

P.S. Oh yeah, nice replica.

I looked into custom printing, but it's more expensive than using a similar-but-less accurate fabric bought locally. My budget for this replica is really low given that he's being made mostly for a five minute appearance at a family reunion. It's definitely something I'll keep in mind if I'm working on something a little more ambitious, though!