Now that you have a full size cannon, let’s build a smaller rail mounted cannon. With Halloween around the corner, you can never have too many pirate props.
Props are an important part of themed attractions and themed retail. Understanding their construction is a plus for any designer.
The steps are the same as the first post “How to Make a Pirate Cannon” only on a smaller and more manageable scale.
Once the turning was complete I added sculptural details like a crest and rope filigree to the top and bottom of the gun using Sculpey. Each piece was sculpted, fitted, baked and glued in place.
Bondo was added for additional metal corrosion and texture and then sprayed with a bronze metallic paint. The entire surface was then dry-brushed to give the appropriate bronze patina and help bring out the highlights of the sculptural elements.
The final step was to design and create a base that would alow the cannon to swivel up and down and side to side.
BONUS LANTERN PROJECT: Here’s a quick way to age and completely change the look of an ordinary lantern.
I picked up a $7 garden lantern at T.J. Maxx, wiped some Bondo over the surface to build up a texture, lightly sanded it and primed it.
Like the cannon, after a coat of hammered bronze paint, I dry-brushed on a green patina to add to the aged look.
A custom lantern ready for a pirate ship or haunted graveyard display.
