SUPPLIES:
- Pumpkin of Your Choice
- Yellow and White Craft Paint
- Paint Brush
- Optional: Painter’s Tape
What's the best type of paint to use when painting a pumpkin?
If it's just adults, acrylic or spray paint are the best paints for pumpkins (as they won't crack), and puff paint can be used for certain detailed painting, such as creating a lacy effect.
What is the best way to paint a pumpkin?
- Pick a color that complements your design. If you're drawing a goblin, pick an eerie green color for your background.
- Paint your pumpkin in sections, allowing each to dry before moving on to the next. This way, you won't be stuck holding a pumpkin dripping with wet paint.
- Watch out for the wet paint on the bottom. ...
How can I Prep a pumpkin for painting?
- Fill your sink with water and add 1/2 cup of bleach.
- Soak pumpkins for 30 minutes, turn them after 15 minutes to cover all the pumpkin.
- Remove pumpkins and let them air dry.
What kind of paint do I use to paint Pumpkins?
What Type of Paint Sticks to Paint Pumpkins?
- Pumpkin Preparation. No matter whether you're painting on a carved or uncarved pumpkin, first clean the pumpkin's exterior to ensure the paint sticks.
- Acrylic Craft Paints. ...
- Spray Paint. ...
- Paint Markers. ...
What do you put on a pumpkin before you paint it?
Sealing your pumpkin before you paint it is optional, but it helps to give you a good surface to paint on. Choose an aerosol or brush sealant and cover your pumpkin. It won't necessarily preserve the pumpkin itself, but it can help with paint application.
Can you paint straight onto a pumpkin?
Yes, you can apply paint right onto a pumpkin. Just make sure the surface is clean and free of dirt that might mar your paint job. How do you seal a painted pumpkin? If you want your paint job to last longer, apply a coat of clear craft sealer spray onto your pumpkin.
Will Hairspray seal a painted pumpkin?
Spraying with aerosol hairspray helps seal the paint, making it more resistant to smudging. It will not water proof the pumpkin. TIP: Don't spray too much hairspray, or the paint will begin to drip!
Is it better to paint or spray paint a pumpkin?
Real pumpkins can be spray painted, but do so at your own risk. The oil-based paint prevents the pumpkin from “breathing” and as the pumpkin decomposes gases build up inside the pumpkin potentially causing it to explode. Yikes!
Do you have to prime a pumpkin before painting it?
Priming the pumpkins helps your colors look brighter and fewer coats of paints are needed in the end. SAMANTHA: I highly recommend spraying a coat of flat/matte primer on it first to give the acrylic paint something to stick to.
How do you get acrylic paint to stick to a pumpkin?
Though this is optional, applying a sealer to the pumpkin's surface before painting will help the paint better adhere to the surface. Purchase a craft-grade sealer at a hobby or craft store.
An Easy DIY Using Chalky Finish Paint
Melissa is a news writer for The Spruce. She covers a wide range of topics including trends, decor ideas, and design tips.
Preparation
For this project you'll learn how to make patterned, dipped, and splattered paint pumpkins. Preparing the workspace for each will be quite similar. Use a drop cloth, kraft paper, or newspaper to cover the table where you'll work. If you're making dipped pumpkins, set the drying rack over a piece of wax paper.
What You'll Need
Chalky finish paint in two colors for patterned pumpkins (We used The Spruce Best Home chalky finish paint in Elevated Black and White Bead Board)
Patterned Pumpkins
While this modern, abstract pattern makes a bold statement, it's so simple to execute that even the least artistic DIY-er can get the job done. With just a few quick steps, you can score stunning pumpkins perfect for any room in your home.
Dipped Pumpkins
Give mini pumpkins a modern makeover with a quick and easy painting technique that will lend a fresh new look to your seasonal gourds.
Splatter Paint Pumpkins
Looking to create an especially bold display of pumpkins this fall? Unleash your inner Jackson Pollock with a splatter paint technique that really stands out.
Picking a Pumpkin to Paint
The first step in designing a painted pumpkin is looking carefully at its shape. "Painting a rounded surface is a little more difficult than a flat surface like canvas," says Becki Thomas, art manager at Painting with a Twist.
Use Acrylic Paints for General Decorating
"I love to paint pumpkins with chalky acrylic paint ($1.99, michaels.com) ," says Roma Stiff, senior creative project designer for Michaels. "The coverage is good, and the matte finish gives an updated home décor look and feel. The paint comes in a variety of home décor colors and is...just enough to do a project!"
Utilize Spray Paint for All-Over Color
To turn your bold pumpkin into a cheery sun, white ghost, or pale yellow decorative centerpiece, you'll want to start with multiple coats of all-over color. "Spray paint will be the most durable and get you the quickest full-coverage—spray paint will get you a full coat of paint in a matter of seconds," says Thomas.
Consider Paint Markers for Detail
Creating intricate patterns— like curlicues, faces, or script lettering —is easier with paint than with a knife, and paint pens or markers are some of the easiest ways to add thoughtful design elements to your finished product.
Opt for Chalkboard Paint
If you want your pumpkin to stand out from all your neighbors' carved or painted efforts, Thomas recommends using chalkboard paint —which gives your gourd a sophisticated matte finish—and decorating it with chalk or adding puffy paint to create a three-dimensional design.
Kid-Friendly Washable Options
Getting the whole family involved at a pumpkin painting party might inspire you to use washable paint—but that has its pros ( easier cleanup) and cons (it's thinner, so it requires more coats). Washable paint pens are a good minimal mess option for kids' use and an easy way to add smaller details to one's design.
1. Choose the Right Pumpkin
The perfect paintable pumpkin will be one without blemishes, particularly without any rotten spots. If you want to incorporate some warts or other features into your design, go ahead! Otherwise, it's important to look for a pumpkin with shallower ribbing to give you an easier surface to paint on.
2. Prep Your Pumpkin
Before you jump right into painting your pumpkin, you should prepare the surface. Like with any pumpkin decorating technique, you should always wash your pumpkin first. Wipe it down with a sanitizing wipe or with a soft cloth and some mild soap.
3. Seal Your Pumpkin
Sealing your pumpkin before you paint it is optional, but it helps to give you a good surface to paint on. Choose an aerosol or brush sealant and cover your pumpkin. It won't necessarily preserve the pumpkin itself, but it can help with paint application.
4. Choose the Right Paint
Choosing the right paint for your pumpkin depends on a couple of factors.
5. Use the Proper Brushes
While pumpkins can be pretty sturdy, their skin can be easily damaged if you're not careful. When painting a pumpkin, you'll want to avoid hard, bristly brushes. Opt instead for sponge brushes and brushes with softer bristles so you don't damage the skin or scratch your pumpkin.
6. Plan Your Design
Some people prefer to be spontaneous with their decorating, while others like to have a plan laid out before they start. Whatever your style is, you should have a general idea of how you're going to paint your pumpkin, and having a plan can help you execute the perfect design.
Get them invited!
Once you’ve decided on a date and time, make sure you send out invitations and/or post an event on Facebook about 30 days before the event. This gives your guests enough time to get it on their calendar and plan on being there. We used a Facebook event for ours and texted the two people who did not have Facebook accounts.
Decide on decorations
We chose a Halloween theme for our party, but a fall or harvest theme would be great too! It’s easy to go over budget when buying decorations, so be sure to hit the dollar store for whatever you can, and you can make a lot of your own homemade Halloween decorations.
Planning and shopping
Create a shopping list. This is key! We all know how we can go to the grocery store without a list and forget at least two things we needed.
Planning the food
We scoured Pinterest looking for ideas. My daughter and I had a shared Pinterest board where we collected ideas, then we got together and decided on the final choices. See all the Halloween food ideas we chose!
Craft supplies you will need for your pumpkin painting party
We provided the pumpkins for our guests and charged a $10 supply fee to cover the pumpkins and paint. We felt this was the easiest way so all they had to do was show up! If you prefer, you can certainly tell your guests to bring their own pumpkins.
When guests arrive
Once our guests began to arrive we mingled a bit and had something to drink and eat. Each guest chose a pumpkin and their paint then took their seats. Some guests wanted to use glitter, while some wanted to use Mod Podge. Just be available to help them while you are painting your own pumpkin!
Games!
After everyone’s pumpkins were finished I took them outside and sprayed them with acrylic sealer. We left them outside to dry while we had snacks and caramel apple sangria! Then one silly game and a guessing game to pass the time.
