Making a "flat cardboard snowman figurine"

Post by **Howard** » Wed Jan 14, 2015 8:09 pm

Greetings to all…

I know that many of you have vintage and reproduction cast metal “zinnfiguren” or “flatties” in your village…but if the terms are new to you…go to this link to see an impressive collection…

http://www.antoinettestockenberg.com/Putz2014.htm

I’m not going to go into their history…or where to buy them…this topic is about making your own out of cardboard…by the way…they are much easier to buy than to make…but making things is what I do…

Flat cardboard figures have been around for a long time…toy train scenery figures, toy soldiers and knights come to mind…they were a very inexpensive dime store alternative to cast metal…

The snowman is a good first subject…just a simple cardboard silhouette with layered details like the hat brim, scarf, arm, broom and handle…the base is a cardboard oval with a small wood brace where the body meets the base…see the pattern and photos below…note...make the body first...then cut the other pieces to fit...i had to cut out several of each to get them right...

The next step is primer…a couple of coats of white craft paint…this really changes the look of the layered cardboard…it fills in all the gaps and seams…

The final step is painting the details…followed by spraying on a clear protective finish and adding glitter and mica flakes on the base…

The above finishing steps will follow later in a reply to this topic…

I’ll hope to post a few other basic figure patterns…I'll do an internet search for “Christmas silhouettes”…and see what’s out there…that will be a good place to start for the next “flattie”…

My very best regards…Howard…

Post by **paulrace** » Wed Jan 14, 2015 10:57 pm

Very nice, Howard; thanks for sharing.

Barb · Post by **Barb** » Thu Jan 15, 2015 8:57 am

I love this idea, Howard, and I can't wait to see pix of the finished product! More! More!

Post by **BrianB** » Thu Jan 15, 2015 1:17 pm

That looks super COOL!! I cant wait to see the finished Snowman!!!

Post by **Howard** » Thu Jan 15, 2015 6:36 pm

good evening to all...

what a difference two coats of a premium white paint makes...it's the perfect base for painting details...hopefully tomorrow or saturday...

i do see a few small "cardboard hairs" that have to be removed...note that the base is hot glued to a painting stick...it makes it so much easier to hold...

my very best regards...howard...

Post by **les** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 9:19 am

Terrific idea, Howard!!! Regretfully I don't have the patience you have. Just keep makin' em!!! Your pattern is an extra benefit. Thanks.

Post by **maria** » Sat Jan 17, 2015 6:32 am

How amazing. I wrestle with this idea every year--and every time--I see Antoinette's impressive collection of flatties a.k.a. zinnfiguren

Post by **Howard** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 10:15 am

greetings to all...

here is the finished "snowman flattie"...high gloss clear spray was applied followed by glitter and mica flakes on the base...

next to the snowman is a pix of my detail painting tools...

number 1 water color brush...(going to get a smaller one...probably a number 0)...

chisel point bamboo skewer for the nose...

pointed bamboo skewer for eyes and buttons...

i have used toothpicks for painting details...but prefer skewers...they hold the tip of the point shape better...

now...on to a new "flattie"...probably a horse drawn farm sled...we'll see...

my very best regards...howard...