Get Ready for Some Creative Fun...
The leaves are changing colors, the air is getting crisp, and pumpkin spice is back on the menu—there's no doubt that fall is in full swing! Painting pumpkins is the perfect family-friendly activity that blends creativity and seasonal joy. It's also a great activity with friends and something anyone can do!
If you want a visual, I shared a couple Pumpkin Painting process videos on Instagram:
Tap here to watch Video 1: Hand Lettered Pumpkins
Tap here to watch Video 2: A Happy Accident Pumpkin
What You'll Need:
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Pumpkins: Head to the local pumpkin patch and grab a pumpkin of any size! Think about where this pumpkin is going to live this fall, and that can help you decide the size you need. Pro tip: Get a pumpkin with a medium/long stem. This is great to hold onto while you're painting! It's also another detail you can paint!
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Acrylic Paints: This is my favorite type of paint for a pumpkin. You can find them at any art supply store, places like Target/Walmart or even repurpose old paints from previous art projects. Be sure to grab a variety of colors to let your creativity flow.
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Paint Brushes/Sponges/Paint Pens: Choose a selection of paint brushes with various shapes and sizes. These will come in handy for different details and brushstroke techniques. I've used round sponges for dots, cosmetic sponge wedges, and other random supplies. Get creative..use what you have! Acrylic Oil Based Paint Pens are great for lettering and small details.
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Paper Towels: Keep some paper towels nearby to clean your brushes, spills, and wipe off the pumpkin.
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Palette: An old plastic plate or an artist's palette will help you mix and blend your paints. I used a palette pad I already had, a scrap piece of cardboard can work, too!
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Newspaper or Plastic Sheets: Lay down some newspaper or plastic sheets to protect your work area. Pumpkin painting can get a bit messy, but this step will save your surfaces and make cleanup a breeze.
Now that you've got your supplies ready, it's time to dive into the creative process! Keep in mind, all steps are optional, so do what works for you!
Step-by-Step Guide to Pumpkin Painting:
1. Prep Your Workspace: Set up your workspace by covering your table with newspapers, plastic sheets old cardboard box...whatever you have laying around! Make sure you have all your paints, brushes, and water containers ready.
2. Clean Your Pumpkins: Wipe your pumpkins clean with a damp paper towel/cloth to remove any dirt or dust.
3. Base Coat: Begin by applying a base coat of paint to your pumpkin. This can be a single color or a combination of colors. Allow the base coat to dry completely before moving on. I did this for the pumpkins I lettered on (Video 1), but I skipped this step when I was just painting a design on the pumpkin (Video 2).
4. Plan Out Your Design: You can do this step directly on the pumpkin or sketch it out on a piece of paper.
5. Start Painting: Begin applying your chosen colors to your pumpkin. This is where you get to be creative, so have fun with this! Whether you're creating a spooky jack-o'-lantern face, a beautiful autumn scene, or something entirely unique, let your creativity flow.
6. Add Details, Accents, Lettering etc.: Add the finer details to your pumpkin, such as facial features, scenery elements, or any other design components. If you're layering on paint, let the first coat dry before adding more! Pro Tip: If you want to paint the pumpkin stem, do it last! ...that way you can just leave the pumpkin sitting to dry without touching it anymore.
7. Let It Dry: Allow your painted pumpkin to dry thoroughly. This may take a few hours, depending on the number of layers and the thickness of your paint.
9. Show it off!!: Find a fun place to put your pumpkin, share it online...you worked hard-show it off!
Happy pumpkin painting! 🎨🎃
If you're still looking for some Halloween fun...check out these Spooky Cute Printables!
