Making a Stunt Dummy Head Out of Cardboard, Duct Tape, and Newspaper (Part One)

(Sorry for the long title!)

This is a follow up on my cardboard, duct tape, and newspaper stunt dummy instructable. The dummy will work fine, but as you can tell, it's missing a head!

Here is how to make "realistic" head for free.
(Unless you need to go buy duct tape. In that case, go get it, I'll wait.)

First, make a design for the shape. It will be different depending on who the dummy is for. This dummy is my stunt dummy, so the head is my shape. I made the design by taking a picture of the front and side of my head, tracing the outline on my computer, and printing it out. The grey is one layer, and the white is another. I chose to leave the white out for the side view.

If you don't feel like making one, print this one out. My head is pretty average. Measure your head with a ruler, put this picture is Publisher or something, and make the head the size of your head.

Next, cut out the design and trace it on a piece of cardboard. The cardboard shouldn't be too thick.

Next is to actually make it 3D.

First, cut a line into the cardboard half way from the bottom on one part, and half way from the top on the other. Then slide them together. (Look at the pictures)

Next is to add the layer that you will build the face on. This is very important.

Cut out a shape that is a little smaller than the shape of the front, and without a neck. Then do the same thing to make it 3D, but cut the line on the forehead instead of at the neck. (Pictures help)

This is the tricky part. Crumple up newspaper and duct tape the balls onto the cardboard. Remember what a real head looks like when doing this. I started with the middle section. This really held the cardboard together and made it solid.

Do the same thing for the rest. Save the face for last.

I used one big ball for each side of the back of the head, and then little ones to fill the gaps. This part is really up to you, and it depends how big the paper is too. I used the New York Times, and those are big pages.

Covering up the newspaper with duct tape makes it look better. It also wastes duct tape. To what you think is right.

This is the hardest part. The most recognizable part of the human head is the face. And if you mess that up, it will look really weird.

I started with the nose, and then the cheeks, and then the chin. You can do what you want. Try using different sizes of news paper.

If you've made it this far, great job! Check to make sure that it's close to the same size as your head.

As you can see with the pictures, mine was pretty close.

Next time, painting it, and attaching it to the stunt dummy's body!