Decorating real pumpkins can be done when they come into season during the fall harvest. Many people associate decorating pumpkins with Halloween. An alternative to carving pumpkins is to paint and decorate them with acrylic paint, permanent markers, or paint pens. Pumpkin decorating can be geared toward a particular theme, or it can be used for interior decorating and parties. Practice your design before tracing onto the pumpkin. Choose a fresh pumpkin that has a smooth surface skin for plenty of design space.
Faces Pumpkin faces make great decor pieces at Halloween parties. Drawing and painting faces on pumpkins takes skill and patience. Try to choose colors by using two contrasting paints such as white for the background and black for the shadowing or fill-in design. The first step is to find a design that you would like to use. One of the easiest ways to paint precise faces is to use a stencil. Once the stencil is in place, you can paint lightly with a foam brush or use an airbrush for a professional look. Face stencils are generally found at fine craft stores or from online vendors. If using a stencil, secure the stencil to the pumpkin and fill in the outline with your favorite paints. For Halloween parties, pumpkins can be decorated with scary faces or black and white faces of popular horror movie stars. Examples include Jason from Friday the 13th, Michael Meyers from Halloween, and Freddy Krueger from A Nightmare on Elm Street. Other face ideas include a robot, puppy, witch, cat, or ghost. Pumpkins can be painted and then placed along walkways and entryways to welcome guests. They can also be used later as door prizes.
Decor Fall seasonal decor allows you to paint and decorate a group of pumpkins so that they match the design of your outdoor or indoor area. Painted pumpkins look great on porches, as they can welcome guests along with the rest of your fall decor. These types of pumpkins can have designs on them that coordinate with your decor. Checkers, scrolling, and tractors can all be painted on the pumpkins. Choose a color theme in brown, off-white, or metallic bronze. Gather designs from your favorite decor items or magazines. Trace an outline on drafting paper. Tape the paper to the pumpkin, press firmly to create an outline. Fill in with paint. Gather designs from your favorite decor items or magazines. Trace an outline on drafting paper. Tape the paper to the pumpkin, press firmly to create an outline. Fill in with paint. Incorporate these pumpkins into your existing fall decor or fall items such as hay bales, mums, and straw bunches.
Personalize Decorating and painting pumpkins can be done at parties as an activity. This decorating idea can start off with a group of small pumpkins gathered in the center of a table. Once guests arrive and are ready to participate, they can gather their own pumpkins. Using an array of acrylic makers, paints, and sponges, guests can personalize their own pumpkins. They can write their names on the pumpkins with paint markers and add their favorite quotes or music lyrics. The pumpkins can be placed indoors on a side table or outside near a garden entrance, or used as a center piece on top of an outdoor table.
