Awesome DIY Pumpkin Painting Techniques

As Halloween draws near, long afternoons are spent carving pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns, monsters, and spooky scenes. But if you want to avoid the messy pumpkin guts or don’t want your children handling sharp knives, painting pumpkins is both easier and less messy than carving. Don’t let the idea of painting frighten you—you don’t need to be an artist to master these designs. Rather than freehand each style, let geometric makeup sponges stand in for block prints, or let leaves collected from the backyard serve as stencils. Little ones will enjoy ditching form entirely and flinging paint to create a Jackson Pollock-inspired pumpkin. Most of these projects can be done using the acrylic paint stored in your craft closet, while a couple call for paint pens that can be found at any crafts supply store. When you’re done stamping and splattering, display your works of art indoors, or spray them with a clear sealant before setting them out on the stoop. For a masterpiece that can be used for years, skip the trip to the pumpkin patch and paint faux pumpkins, such as Funkins, instead.

Geometric Print Pumpkins
Choose a variety of makeup sponges in geometric shapes, or use a pair of scissors to trim sponges into different shapes.

Stamp the sponge onto the pumpkin surface, starting near the stem and working down to the bottom of the pumpkin. Reapply paint to the sponge as needed, and wash the sponge thoroughly or switch to a fresh sponge when changing colors.

Falling Leaves Pumpkins
Paint the pumpkin a solid color and allow it to dry completely, or about one hour.

Fill in the outlines with acrylic paint and let dry. If desired, outline the leaves with a paint pen and draw on veins.

Pun-Kins
Sketch a punny phrase onto the surface of the pumpkin using a highlighter. Use a damp paper towel to erase any mistakes.

Using a paint pen, trace over the guidelines and fill in the letters. Outline each letter with a paint pen in a contrasting color.

Splatter Paint Pumpkins
Paint the pumpkin a solid color and let dry completely.

To add sponge prints to the pumpkin, dab a natural sea sponge (found at crafts supply stores) into the paint. Blot the sponge on a scrap piece of paper before pressing it onto the pumpkin