Painted Pumpkin Tutorial

You've seen those pretty pumpkins all over the internet and in the magazines. You went to the craft store and got a bit of sticker shock. Do you want to spend that much on a fake pumpkin and what happens if you don't want a blue/green/pink/gold/purple pumpkin next year?

Is this you? Maybe it was just me.... sometimes color committal is hard for me. I like lots of different colors for lots of different reasons and a color I may be stuck on this year (month, week, day) doesn't mean I want it around next year. What's a girl to do? What I have been doing all along... reach into my paint stash.

Two years ago I wanted gold pumpkins... I tried painting real pumpkins. That was fine until they started decaying... ick!
     
                   

Last year I wanted all things neutral. Tan, white, wood tones and I mingled in greens.

                           

                           
               
This year a new color combo has caught my eye and I am just not ready to give up my summer colors...
     
My solution was to pick up some cheap-o pumpkins from Walmart. I paid $.98 for the little ones and less than $5 for the big ones. I used a 50% coupon at A.C. Moore and grabbed some paper mache' pumpkins, plus I raided my cache from last year. My little collection of pumpkins ranged in size and color and by themselves didn't look bad but I want them different colors this year.

If your pumpkins have stems, remove them if possible. The foam-y little ones from Walmart just pulled out. Don't worry, they go back in. It just makes it easier than trying to paint around. Some of my pumpkins didn't give me that option. You can tape them off or like me, just wing it.

I grabbed Waverly chalk paint (left over from another project) and gave everything two coats. You can purchase it at A.C.Moore... USE A COUPON.

Ahhh. So much better but I'm not done.

I went back to my paint stash. I had grabbed some "oops paint" from Home Depot a while back in this watery blue color. (Side note: Oops paint is paint somebody returned. Grab those paints when you see them! They are the best bargain around! I bought my paint for less than $1.00 and have used it on several small projects.) No worries if you don't hoard paint like me... pick up a couple craft paints from the store that work with your color scheme. Use those coupons!

While my white chalk paint was still wet I dipped my brush into the blue, ever so lightly, and went back to the pumpkin. Work that little bit of paint into the white giving it a light washed color all over.

I then went back into the blue and hit the ribs to make them a bit darker. Be sure to blend the colors out so you don't see lines. Let them dry.

Make sure you paint the stems if working with ones like paper mache'. I layered yellow, burnt umber and dark brown trying to make them look more realistic... as realistic as a blue, paper mache' pumpkin can look. Touch up plastic stems that may have gotten color on them. Replace stems that you removed.

Some I did darker all over.

Some I left white.

Now, spread your pumpkins throughout your home like fairy sprinkles!

Will I still want these colors next year? I have no idea but I know I am not stuck with my choice. It's just paint and little time, limited only by my imagination and who knows what that will look like next year!

Thanks for visiting with me! Have a great day! 

Jolena

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