DIY Percy Jackson Shield Tutorial
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Step-by-Step Guide: Creating Your Own Percy Jackson Demigod Shield
This Percy Jackson Shield may have originally been created for a photoshoot prop, but with a little bit of arts and crafts, you can convert garbage bin lids into a metal-looking shield perfect for a Percy Jackson birthday party table centerpiece or a Percy Jackson Halloween costume. Follow along with this tutorial to create your own demigod shield!
Use the Percy Jackson shield for:
- Percy Jackson Halloween Costume
- Percy Jackson Birthday Party Table Centrepiece
What We Know About Percy’s Shield
In the Percy Jackson book series, the ‘Wristwatch Shield’ was a gift given to Percy Jackson from his Cyclops half-brother, Tyson. It was crafted by Tyson from tinkering metal and could disguise itself as a wristwatch.
However, in the movie, the shield is not a wristwatch and is given to Percy by Luke Castellan. Additionally, Zeus’ Lightning Bolt is hidden in the shield’s arm-grip.
Scroll through the images on the left to view the shields seen in both the movie version and the Disney series.
DIY Percy Jackson Shield Tutorial
Materials
- Garbage bin lid or large pot lid from a thrift store or op shop
- Yogurt or dip lid for the circular center
- Plastic forks or other textured bits and pieces
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Metallic spray paint or acrylic paint gold, bronze, black
- Primer if painting on metal or plastic
- Saltwash or sand optional for texture
- Dry sponge
- Old belt or rope for arm-grip
- Drill if using a metal lid
Instructions
- Prepare Your Base: Start with a garbage bin lid or a large pot lid. This will form the base of your shield. Ensure it is clean and dry before starting your project.
- Create the Centerpiece: Take a yogurt or dip lid to create the circular center of the shield. This will add a focal point and help give your shield a more authentic look. Hot glue the yogurt lid to the center of your garbage bin lid.
- Add Detail: Look for ‘bits and pieces’ that have texture to decorate your shield. For example, I used the ends of plastic forks which had lines running through and arranged them in a circle radiating out from the center of the shield. Look for details that say something about you! Once you are happy with the arrangement, hot glue them in place.
- Paint Your Shield: If required before painting, apply a primer if you are working with metal or plastic to keep paint from peeling off. While spray paint is a fast option, metallic acrylic paint can be a more suitable option if you can’t paint outside with proper ventilation.Start with a base layer of gold paint, then add black followed by bronze to create depth and variation in the colours. For added texture, sprinkle Saltwash or mix paint with sand and apply it on the first layer.Alternatively, if using acrylic paint, use a dry sponge to dab paint, allowing different colors to show through.
- Let It Dry: Allow paint to dry completely.
- This may take several hours depending on the type of paint you use.
- Attach the Arm-Grip: If you are using the shield as part of a costume, you'll need to attach an arm-grip. If the lid is plastic, punch holes, one on each side of the lid. If it’s metal, drill holes. Loop an old belt or thick rope through these holes to create an arm-grip.
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