I’ve been telling myself that I’m going to start adding more holiday crafting ideas and how-tos to the blog! My secret life goal is to be the next Martha Stewart so now you know ?I started researching pumpkin painting a couple of weeks ago because I was getting really excited about all of the fall activity I was seeing on Pinterest. It’s a craft that I’ve never done before, so I wanted to make sure I gathered all of the tips to do it in the best way. I’m going to outline exactly what I did for my pumpkin painting project and the supplies that I used so that you can create your own masterpieces!
Side note before we get started – the top I’m wearing is 40% off at LOFT right now with the code FALLFEST. It runs true to size and I’m wearing a small.
1. Pick out your pumpkin(s)! Large or small, fat or tall, take your pick! I bought mine at Walmart.
2. Gather your paint. I only used white, black, and gold acrylic craft paint for my designs, but any color will do! Ordering from Amazon might be easiest, but you can always buy acrylic paint at stores like Hobby Lobby and Michael’s.
3. Gather your paint brushes. I painted one of my pumpkins solid white before I added the gold design – for the white background, I used a medium sized bristle brush. For the smaller designs like the polka dots and lettering, I used a small bristle brush to control the paint.
4. Mod Podge – ahhh the holy grail of the crafting world. You’ll want to have a full bottle of this on hand! We’ll use it to seal in our pumpkin painting designs at the end.
5. Wash your pumpkins – this is important! We don’t want any dirt, etc. on the outside of them before we start painting. Scrub those babies with some good ole fashioned soap and water.
6. Print out your stencils! (Optional.) I printed a large Clemson Paw for one of my designs and then cut out “BOO” printed in large letters for my polka dot pumpkin. For the dots, I traced the cap of one of my spice jars all over the pumpkin.Check out my Fall Pinterest board for more pumpkin painting design ideas!
7. Trace your cut-out stencils on your pumpkin with a pencil. This is probably the trickiest part – it’s helpful to attach your stencils to your pumpkin with double sided tape before you trace! Once you’re finished tracing, remove your stencils.
8. Paint! Once you have your design(s) outlined, get to work! I painted one “side” of each of my pumpkins at time so I wouldn’t smudge the opposite side from tilting the pumpkin before it had time to dry. Allow 30 minutes of dry time in between each side! I had to use multiple coats of paint on my white designs – don’t worry if you have to do that too! Just allow time to dry between each coat.
9. Once your painting is complete, coat the entire pumpkin a layer of Glossy Mod Podge! This will keep the paint from flaking off and will give your pumpkin a nice shiny glow.
Thomas agrees and recommends acrylic paint instead of oil-based when painting pumpkins. "It's quick-drying, easy to use, and clean-up is a breeze," she says. "Because acrylic is water-based, if you mess up, you can wipe it off with a rag and start over! Oil-based paint takes a long time to dry and can be fumy.
You can paint straight onto the surface of a pumpkin, however it is best to clean the surface with warm soapy water beforehand to clear away any dirt that may prevent paint from sticking.
Purchase a craft-grade sealer at a hobby or craft store. Sealers are available in either aerosol cans or squeeze bottles, according to your preference. Use a brush to apply a liberal coat of sealer evenly to the entire surface of the pumpkin, and allow to dry thoroughly.
When painting a pumpkin, you'll want to avoid hard, bristly brushes. Instead, opt for sponge brushes and brushes with softer bristles so you don't damage the skin or scratch your pumpkin. If your pumpkin is already pretty rough, though, bristly brushes might be best.
Acrylic paints also adhere well to a pumpkin's uneven and textured surface with a smooth and even finish. It's non-toxic and allows for easy cleanup with soap and water, making it a great kid-friendly choice.
Start with a pumpkin that's free of bruises. Wipe off any dirt. Coat the entire pumpkin with an acrylic sealer to keep the decorative paint from peeling.
Choose a paint of your choice and mix in baking soda until you get the consistency you want in the paint. I mixed in about 1 tsp of baking soda but it will really just depend on the size of your pumpkins and how textured you want your paint to be.
What is the best type of glue to use on a pumpkin? The answer is you really can't go wrong. I have found that Elmer's glue or a basic craft glue works just fine on pumpkins. We used basic Elmer's glue.
If you plan to paint your pumpkin fully (not leave a lot of the pumpkin's natural color showing), you might want to first coat it with gesso. Gesso is a primer coat. It will help make the subsequent paint layers more smooth, even, and true to color.
If you don't use a sealant, your design won't technically go anywhere, but it's not going to be AS PROTECTED as if you have a clear coat over the top (the paint might crack as it ages). If you're planning on putting your pumpkin outside, it ABSOLUTELY needs to be coated with an all-weather sealant.
These frightfully fun finger paint designs for pumpkins from Craft Box Girls should get you inspired! Use nontoxic Tulip Soft Fabric Paints and your little one's hands for a creative activity that doesn't require any tricks, but is a total treat to do.
Yes, you totally can. If you're going to keep your pumpkins indoors then washable paint can be used, too. If you want to place them outdoors, seal them before and after you apply the washable paint. Otherwise the paint will start flaking and rubbing off when continuously exposed to the sun and rain.
Next press fingers with paint stripes onto the pumpkin, working your way around the pumpkin until you are happy with the designs. Let dry completely. Once the pumpkin is dry, top it with a fun matching bow to finish your colorful candy corn design for pumpkins!
To ensure that your pumpkin paint job lasts as long as the pumpkin, use a water-based paint. This is a great opportunity to use up leftover wall paint from previous DIY projects or old sample pots, but be sure to stir the paint before using it if it's been stored for a while.
Acrylic paints will last the longest, but children's poster paint will work, too. If you're about to paint a pumpkin, you want to choose one that is on the smoother side because it will be easier to paint if it has fewer lumps, holes or other imperfections.
Introduction: My name is Greg Kuvalis, I am a witty, spotless, beautiful, charming, delightful, thankful, beautiful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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