The Bat Project

Hi Guys!

Today I am presenting my very first instructable, so excited !

There's not really a backstory for how i came up with this idea but here's what happened.

I saw this contest and really wanted to make something for it, so i searched on internet for ideas but nothing really seemed new or that interesting. So one day i was just sitting on the couch and a picture of bat came in front of my eyes when i blinked, so i thought it's different maybe i should try it. I thought about how i could make it and got supplies and started that day.

That's basically how this happened.

It took me 3 days to make it.

Hope you like it and give a like and vote for me if you do:))

• First: Base

1. Paper (newspaper or any normal paper but don't use magazine paper)
2. Glue (white or transparent)
3. Duct Tape
4. Brushes
5. Tissue
6. Food Wrapping Sheet

• Second: Painting

1. Paint (i used acrylic)
2. Brushes
3. Dark Brown Yarn
4. Hot Glue (i used U.H.U)
5. Scissors
6. Red Lights
7. Cells

To make the body take a paper and make a long shape which is thick at one and and grows thinner gradually as shown in 3rd picture.

Then make a ball with another paper of the same size as the thicker end of the previous shape, shown in 2nd and 3rd picture.

Take duct tape and attach both of these pieces together as shown in 4th picture. At this point it's okay if it's rough and not smooth cause we are gonna fix that in the next step :)

Mod Podge i basically a mixture of equal amount of glue and water.

Take a lot of glue in container and put equal amount of water in it, it's not gonna be exact but try to be close or add more glue, but make sure that water is either in equal amount or less.

Stir it well with a brush until it's a smooth paste.

This is how you make mod podge at home but you can also buy it easily from a craft store.

Tear tissue into small pieces and start gluing it on the paper base with mod podge.

3rd picture was taken after i put 1st layer of tissue around it that's why you can see the duct tape under it.

After putting 3-4 layers of tissue you might think that duct tape can still be seen but don't worry cause it's wet that why you can see it.

Cut the bottom thin end in half with scissors to make legs, i couldn't take a picture of it but you will see it in next steps.

I left it overnight for drying, after drying it was pretty hard and the duct hid under it.

To make the head take a small paper and make a small ball.

Then wrap food wrapping sheet around it and give the head shape, bats have kinda triangular faces so in 2nd picture you can see i gave it that shape.

Now take more paper and soak it with mod podge and wrap it around the ball. It won't stay in it's shape so hold it in your palm for a minute while adding more paper around it.

I wanted the first layer to be of paper so it's strong cause the head is gonna be hollow afterwards.

when the paper is staying in shape quickly start putting tissue with mod podge around it but leave one side open to put light in later.

After putting 2-3 layers of tissue it will stay in it's place so now you can leave it for drying overnight.

Take a small piece of paper and make a triangle shape and make a curve in it.

Take tissue and cover the paper ears with it by using mod podge.

2nd Picture shows ears covered with tissue.

Then take more tissue and use it to attach the ears on the head.

Put 2 layers of tissue with mod podge covering the ears attaching with head.

When it's still wet use fingers to make a curve in ears.

Take paper and split it in half, we're gonna need only one side.

Fold it into a strip from both sides as shown in 1st video.

Cut almost 1 inch in from both sides as shown in 1st and 2nd picture.

Then cut the strip from center, so now we have 2 small strips.

Cut the strip into fingers on the other end , it can be rough, mine was totally random.

Apply glue inside and wrap it on the legs of the bat as shown in 2nd video.

Take tissue and cover the feet with it using mod podge as shown in the 3rd video.

Leave the ears and feet for drying.

After the head has dried take out the paper ball and you will have a hollow head:)

I used hot glue to attach the head with the body such that the opening in the head is at back side.

Now cover up the whole head and body joining part with tissue and mod podge.

Make very small balls of paper, attach two on either side of the head but keep one a little lower than the other.

Attach the 3rd ball on the side of the chest (on the side where the ball is lower).

Now take a tissue and glue it on the higher ball and then bend it a little on top of the chest to bring it over the paper piece on the side of chest as you can see in the 3rd picture.

Attach another tissue on the lower ball which will goes behind the chest ball.

Use mod podge to fix everything in place when you're happy with the shape.

Draw position of the eyes, i looked at a real bat picture on google to see it's exact eye shape, it's not exactly the same but it's okay. It doesn't have to be perfect.

Use thumb pin to make holes around it and carve out the eyes.

Following Acrylics were used for the head and a little chest area.

• Black
• Vandyke Brown
• Burnt Umber
• Raw Sienna
• white

Following Acrylics were used for the wings:

• Black
• Cobalt Blue
• Burnt Umber
• White

I used a normal random brush for the whole bat.

I used the last picture for reference, i didn't try to be perfect with the shades and blending them.

I made light grey and used it for highlighting the wings.

High points of the body are painted brown and depressions are darker or black.

It doesn't have to be perfect cause we are gonna cover it's body with Yarn Fibers.

But give wings more time.

Take dark brown yarn.

Wrap it around 4 fingers 10-15 times just like when making pop poms.

Take the loops out and start to cut in to tiny Fibers just as shown in 3rd and 4th picture.

Use liquid glue to attach these fibers on the head, chest and legs.

I cut 2 red lights from the set of lights (it's in the materials photo).

Then i attached 2 cells with each light but their wire was smaller and the space inside the head was not much so i had to take more wire and join it with the lights and cell on each end as you can see in the 4th picture.

Push lights out through back side of the head and use hot glue to fix them in place.

Attach the cells on the back with hot glue.

I gave it red eyes to give more of a vibe.

Final look!

I really enjoyed making this project.

HOPE YOU LIKE IT!!

If you do like it please vote for my instructable and like it.

I wanted to make this as simple to understand as much i could but,

If there are any confusions?, leave a comment and i'll try to elaborate:))))

Thank you.