We've uncovered delightfully spooky and creative pumpkin painting ideas to help unleash your inner Picasso. Sipping a glass of mulled cider on the side is not required for any forthcoming creative pursuits, but encouraged.
We might be partial, but we firmly believe that Halloween is the most wonderful time of the year, and it's a particularly suitable season to get creative juices flowing. Whether or not you're opting for the spooky route, there is something worth celebrating on October 31st.
While you peruse the frighteningly adorable myriad of DIY Halloween decorating ideas, be sure to have your paintbrush at the ready. We know we do!
Pumpkin Painting Ideas: Quick Menu
1. Pumpkin painting ideas2. Meet the experts3. Supplies to buy
4. FAQs
7 Super-cute pumpkin painting ideas
Bloggers and crafters gave us a few ideas about trendy design ideas to pursue this Halloween, and we have a feeling your pumpkins are going to be the coolest gourds in town. A word to the wise: Make sure to put down the proper coverage as things will get messy.
1. Paint-pouringpumpkin
(Image credit: Elizabeth Jones + The Country Peony)
For a super-simple, no-painting-required psychedelic accent, might we recommend crafter Elizabeth Jones' paint-pouring pumpkin? All you need to do is get roughly four shades of the same color and manually pour them into a disposable cup one at a time. From there, place your pumpkin atop a paper cup and pour out the paint.
"I love choosing non-traditional fall colors to decorate pumpkins with," Jones tells Real Homes. "I personally prefer to choose a pink, purple, and mustard yellow color palette. The ultimate goal is to fill your space with colors and designs that make you happy!"
Honestly, we'll try one of these designs in every color.
2. Floral pumpkin
(Image credit: Elizabeth Jones + The Country Peony)
Who doesn't appreciate a few fall florals? If you'd like to go for a botanical twist like Jones, she cuts out the styles from paper napkins that she most appreciates and applies them to the gourd with glue.
"I always have Mod Podge on standby," she admits. "Plus a great gold craft paint to accent the stems. And, foam brushes to apply paint and Mod Podge."
3. Black and whitepumpkin
(Image credit: Future / Canva)
Gothic Homemaker Aurelio Voltaire loves a classic color palette but does away with the kitschy element.
"The black and white color scheme is very elegant and a nice alternative if you want something stylish and different and wish to avoid the usual orange," he says.
So, how does he make it happen? This is where things can get a bit intricate.
"I like to spray paint a pumpkin a flat black color and once dry, add clay to the pumpkin in the shape of bats," he notes. "You can use a bat-shaped cookie cutter to start off your bat shapes if sculpting is not your strong suit. I then spray paint a flat white over the black pumpkin and clay. When [it's] dry, I remove the clay and I'm left with a white pumpkin with a black bat motif."
4.All-over motif pumpkin
@emilyrogs♬ original sound - 🎃🎄
Ghosts, goblins, gourds — whatever your heart desires, try painting them all around your pumpkin. It's a cute and subtle nod to the spooky season, and if you told us the pumpkins in the TikTok video above were from Target, we'd believe it. (Speaking of which, have you seen these Target fall decor picks?)
5. Pastel pumpkin
(Image credit: @hellosweethome)
Nod to a pastel color theme for your painted Halloween pumpkins this year for more decorative and less spooky vibes. Grab star and moon stencils, get creative with fabrics and we're sure you can freehand that ghost!
6.Taylor Swift pumpkin
@perksofbeingafern♬ ABBY USED MY SOUND - livinonthedancefloor💋
We'll be honest: It's Taylor's world, we just happen to be living in it. Pay tribute to one of the songstress' best eras with a fun Swiftie-themed pumpkin.
For a Taylor Swift lover, I would paint the pumpkin in bold colors with glitter and add beads and feathers for a fun look," Chantelle Hartman Malarkey says. "Any color works great depending on your vision and theme but I recommend sticking to a color scheme or theme to give a cohesive look."
We love the pastel beauty that is Lover but you can't blame us if we're feeling more Red this time of year.
7. Freehand fall art pumpkin
(Image credit: @olivianoceda)
Bright colors and spooky designs are Halloween classics but you don’t have to opt for traditional design if you plan to keep your pumpkins and gourds for the entire fall season. Consider looking to current trends for patterns and colorways that will pack a punch while blending into your existing decor.
Meet the experts
Elizabeth Jones
Since 2013, Elizabeth Jones has been blogging at Country Peony and inspiring others to craft a happy life! After her professional stint in PR and events, Elizabeth ventured back to a farmhouse in Texas and has been keeping crafty ever since.
Chantelle Hartman Malarkey
Chantelle Hartman Malarkey, a.k.a. the Lifestyle Alchemist, is an interior designer, photographer, home chef, hosting expert, and blogger who shares ideas about family travel hacks, beauty must-haves, delicious recipes, among other topics, with her followers.
Aurelio Voltaire
Coined the "Martha Stewart of the Coffin Crowd" Aurelio Voltaire has spent years turning his studio apartment in New York City into a Gothic lair. The musician and craftsman is in Halloween mode 24/7/365
Supplies to buy
Time to start painting, but first, a few housekeeping tips.
"Wipe down the pumpkin with a wet paper towel before painting to get any dirt off the surface," Malarkey suggests. "Acrylic paint is the best paint to use! Other than the colors, make sure you have a brush and container to put the paint on. I also recommend using old newspapers or magazines so the paint doesn't get everywhere."
1. Caliart Acrylic Paint Set
Price: $25.99 (24 colors, 12 brushes)
2. Super Value 25 Piece Brush Set
Price: $5.99
3. Michaels Round 10 Well Artist Palette
Price: $1.19
4. Wonon Pumpkin Decorating Stickers Kit
Price: $8.99
5. Michaels 1" Foam 4 Piece Brush Set
Price: $1.99
6. Mod Podge
Price: $3.98
FAQs
What kind of paint should I use?
Acrylic paint is a go-to but lots of people find it easier to use a spray paint to create ombre designs or bold block color finishes. Here are a few tips from the pros:
- Ombre effect:Using spray paint, start with the lightest color you'd want to see on top. Apply spray paint according to the directions on the can and spray paint as high up on the gourd as you'd like. Then, apply a darker color on top of that gradually lightening the amount of paint applied as you go up. A third color could be applied the same way, only not as high up on the gourd.
- Chalked:Apply Chalked paint over the entire gourd or a portion of the gourd with a paint brush in an even coat and let it dry for 1 hour. For full cure, please wait 24 hours.
- Stripes and shapes: Apply vinyl shapes or painter's tape in your choice of designs on the gourd. Spray paint according to the directions on the can. While the paint is still slightly wet, remove the tape and let the gourd dry for 1 hour before handling, and 24 hours for full cure.
Is it safe to paint pumpkins?
Always check the information on the paint to see if it's non-toxic. If you're unsure, keep the paint away from kids and pets. Do not eat or cook a pumpkin that has been painted or treated with any other material.
Now it's time to figure out where to set up your perfectly painted pumpkin display. See our favorite Halloween decorating tips for the best ways to make your place extra spooky.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert in pumpkin painting ideas, I can provide you with information related to the concepts mentioned in this article. Let's dive into the different pumpkin painting ideas and the supplies you'll need to bring your creative visions to life.
Pumpkin Painting Ideas:
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Paint-pouring pumpkin: This idea involves using multiple shades of the same color and pouring them onto the pumpkin to create a psychedelic effect. Crafters recommend using non-traditional fall colors like pink, purple, and mustard yellow.
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Floral pumpkin: For a botanical twist, you can cut out floral designs from paper napkins and apply them to the pumpkin using glue. Adding gold craft paint to accent the stems can enhance the overall look.
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Black and white pumpkin: This classic and elegant design involves spray painting a pumpkin black and adding clay in the shape of bats. After spray painting the pumpkin white, the clay is removed, leaving behind a white pumpkin with a black bat motif.
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All-over motif pumpkin: For a cute and subtle nod to the spooky season, you can paint various Halloween-themed motifs all around the pumpkin. This design allows for creativity and customization.
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Pastel pumpkin: If you prefer a more decorative and less spooky vibe, you can opt for a pastel color theme. You can use star and moon stencils, get creative with fabrics, or even freehand a ghost design.
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Taylor Swift pumpkin: Pay tribute to Taylor Swift by painting a pumpkin in bold colors with glitter and adding beads and feathers for a fun look. You can choose any color scheme or theme that aligns with your vision.
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Freehand fall art pumpkin: This idea involves using bright colors and spooky designs, but it doesn't have to be limited to Halloween. You can incorporate current trends, patterns, and colorways to create a unique and eye-catching pumpkin that blends well with your existing decor.
Supplies to Buy:
To bring these pumpkin painting ideas to life, you'll need a few supplies. Here are some recommendations:
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Caliart Acrylic Paint Set: This set includes 24 colors and 12 brushes, providing you with a wide range of options for your pumpkin painting projects.
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Super Value 25 Piece Brush Set: This brush set offers a variety of brush sizes and shapes to help you achieve different painting techniques and details .
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Michaels Round 10 Well Artist Palette: An artist palette can be useful for mixing and organizing your paint colors while working on your pumpkin designs.
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Wonon Pumpkin Decorating Stickers Kit: This kit includes various stickers specifically designed for pumpkin decorating. It can add extra flair and creativity to your pumpkin designs.
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Michaels 1" Foam 4 Piece Brush Set: Foam brushes are great for applying paint smoothly and evenly on pumpkins. This set includes different sizes to suit your needs.
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Mod Podge: Mod Podge is a versatile adhesive and sealer that can be used to apply paper napkin designs or add a protective layer to your painted pumpkins.
FAQs:
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about pumpkin painting:
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What kind of paint should I use? Acrylic paint is a popular choice for pumpkin painting. It provides good coverage and adheres well to the pumpkin's surface. Spray paint can also be used for creating ombre designs or bold block color finishes.
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Is it safe to paint pumpkins? Always check the information on the paint to see if it's non-toxic. If you're unsure, keep the paint away from kids and pets. It's important not to eat or cook a pumpkin that has been painted or treated with any other material.
Remember to prepare your pumpkin by wiping it down with a wet paper towel to remove any dirt before painting. Use old newspapers or magazines to protect your working area from paint splatters.
Now that you have some delightful pumpkin painting ideas and the necessary supplies, you can unleash your inner Picasso and create unique and festive pumpkins for Halloween or the entire fall season. Enjoy your creative pursuits and have fun!
