When using black, remember to start very gently, as it is very difficult to remove black if you use too much.
How To Draw A Pumpkin The Easiest Way
Are your children learning how to draw and looking for new things to add to their pictures? Perhaps they’ve taken interest in pumpkins and want to know how to easily draw them? Luckily, pumpkins are fun and easy objects for your kids to draw!
Is your child at an age where they’re only coloring in pre-drawn outlines? We have plenty of pumpkin coloring pages available on our app for them to get started on! Below is a step-by-step guide on how to draw a pumpkin, but first let’s start with some fun facts about pumpkins!
Interesting Facts About Pumpkins
Pumpkins are more than just fall-time decorations. Let your little one in on how cool these bright orange-colored gourds really are! Watch them get excited as you share these fun facts about pumpkins.
We all know pumpkins come in different shapes and sizes, but did you know their weight ranges from 1 pound to 1,000 pounds? Imagine having a 1,000-pound pumpkin on your front steps! The largest pumpkin recorded weighed a whopping 3,699 pounds. See if your kiddos (or you) can even try to picture just how big a pumpkin of that weight is.
Pumpkins can also be categorized as both a fruit and a vegetable! What other foods do you know of that can be considered a member of both of these food groups? Test your kids’ knowledge and see if they know of any.
Has your family ever been pumpkin picking before? If so, let them know that the pumpkins they usually find and pick out in October are actually planted in late May to mid-June and take the whole summer plus part of fall to grow. That means they take about 90 to 120 days to grow and get that bright orange color that you normally see when you go to the pumpkin patch.
How To Draw A Pumpkin
Now it’s time to get into the step-by-step instructions for how to draw a pumpkin. We suggest you read through these steps first before going right into drawing. Reading through will help give you an overall idea of what the pumpkin is supposed to look like. Let’s get drawing!
Step 1 – Base Of The Pumpkin
This piece of the pumpkin will be the largest part you’ll draw. Start in the middle of the page so you have the most space. Encourage your kids to draw their pumpkin as big or small as they want; there are no specific size measurements you have to stick to!
You are going to start at a middle point and work your way both to the left and then to the right to create the outer shape. Pick a point to start from in the middle of the page and draw slightly upward to the left and then outward to the left, creating a round corner that extends all the way down to what will be the left side of the pumpkin.
When your curved line reaches the bottom of where you want the shape to form, draw inward and to the right slightly, then back upward to the right until your point becomes parallel with your starting point above it. This half-connected shape should resemble what will be the left side of your pumpkin.
In order to draw the right side of the pumpkin and complete the shape, you’re going to bring your pencil back up where your starting point was. Draw another curved line by going slightly upward to the right and then back downward, extending outward just as much as the left side of your pumpkin so your sides appear symmetrical. Continue the line down as far as you want your right side to go.
To draw the bottom part of the right side, draw inward to the left slightly and back upward to the left until your point connects to the bottom of the left side of your pumpkin. This is the bottom point that you drew earlier on in the step before starting the right side. This shape should have all its lines connected and look like the general outer shape of a pumpkin.
Step 2 – Adding Dimension
Now that you have the main shape of your pumpkin, you are going to add four curved lines inside to give your pumpkin some dimension. Each line will start in the middle of the top of your pumpkin, where you created a starting point. They will each start from this point but will attach to different spots on the bottom line of your pumpkin.
For the first curved line, you’re going to bring your pencil to the starting point and draw a curved line. This line will be similar to the left outer side of the pumpkin, going the same direction, and will connect to the bottom line of the pumpkin. It will connect somewhere on the line between the left side and the middle point.
The second curved line will again begin at the starting point and curve downward, replicating the first curved line. Complete the curved line by connecting to the middle of the bottom line.
Drawing the third line will begin from the starting point where the last two curved lines started from. However, it’ll be similar to the right outer side of the pumpkin and will curve in the same direction. This curved line will end in between the middle of the bottom like the right side of the pumpkin.
For the fourth curved line, have it start from the same point as the last three lines and draw it going the same way as the third line. Connect the line to the bottom line of the pumpkin between the third curved line and the right outer side.
Step 3 – The Stem
The stem of the pumpkin will resemble a rectangle shape that has one rounded end at the bottom where it connects to the top of the pumpkin. Find the starting point on the top of the pumpkin where you drew the shape of the pumpkin and the inner curved lines. Start from that point and draw a curved line going up and to the right.
Create a 90-degree angle with a straight line and then back down to the starting point of the pumpkin, curving down and inward. Once you get back to the starting point, curve the bottom of the stem so that it’s round.
Step 4 – The Leaf
To add some cute details to your pumpkin, we’re going to add a small leaf up near the left side, coming out at the base of the stem. Draw a straight line coming out of the left side of the stem, going upward to the left. Draw a leaf with five tips. Draw small lines inside the leaf that extend down the tips to add dimension.
Step 5 – Vine
On the right side of the stem, draw a thin curly line with three loops coming out of the stem. This will be the vine of the pumpkin and you make it as long or as short as you want.
Step 6 – Time To Decorate
Once the outline of your pumpkin is drawn, it’s time to color it in and design it however you’d like. Does your child want a traditional-looking pumpkin? Get that bright orange crayon out for the pumpkin and some different shades of green and brown for the leaf and stem!
Do they want to make a rainbow-colored pumpkin? See if they’d like some help coloring the pumpkin a few different colors. Do they want to draw different patterns or textures on the pumpkin? Offer some inspiration to them with different ideas of details they can add.
Encourage your children or grandchildren to really make their pumpkins unique and design them however they’d like. Once you get the hang of drawing these pumpkins, you can even encourage them to make different kinds such as tall, thin pumpkins or short, plump pumpkins. Work together to try to draw a pumpkin patch with a bunch of different pumpkins added to it!
How to Draw a Pumpkin – A Festive Pumpkin Drawing Tutorial
Halloween is just around the corner, which means it is time to get a little spooky. In today’s tutorial, we are going to learn how to draw a pumpkin in 12 easy steps! For that extra spooky sparkle, you can customize your pumpkin sketch with a carved face. If you are feeling festive, gather your drawing supplies, and let us jump right into this pumpkin drawing tutorial.
Table of Contents
- 1 A Step-by-Step Easy Pumpkin Drawing Tutorial
- 1.1 Step 1: Construct the Base Shape
- 1.2 Step 2: Create a More Realistic Pumpkin Shape
- 1.3 Step 3: Draw the Stalk and the Ribs
- 1.4 Step 4: Begin Coloring Your Pumpkin Sketch
- 1.5 Step 5: Add Color to the Stem
- 1.6 Step 6: Start Contouring Your Pumpkin
- 1.7 Step 7: Create Some Texture
- 1.8 Step 8: Add Some Highlights
- 1.9 Step 9: Enhance the Shading Further
- 1.10 Step 10: Add Some Texture to the Stem
- 1.11 Step 11: Create A Ground Shadow
- 1.12 Step 12: Finishing Your Pumpkin Drawing
- 2.1 How to Create A Halloween Pumpkin Drawing?
- 2.2 What Colors Do You Need for A Pumpkin Sketch?
A Step-by-Step Easy Pumpkin Drawing Tutorial
Pumpkins have quite a symmetrical shape, but they can still be a little tricky to draw from scratch. To help you create a perfect pumpkin sketch, we use a series of simple construction steps to build up the basic shape. We then build on these shapes, adding more realistic curves and details. The final element is using color to add dimensionality and texture to our realistic pumpkin sketch. You can see an outline of the tutorial steps in the image below.
As you can see, color is the most impactful part of our pumpkin sketch. The choice of medium for this pumpkin drawing tutorial is completely up to you. Whether you are a digital artist, or you prefer to use more physical mediums, you can simply adjust the steps to suit your own individual needs. While we give quite detailed instructions, you do not have to follow us exactly.
It is always fun to add your own artistic flair and style to your drawings.
Step 1: Construct the Base Shape
We are going to begin our pumpkin sketch by creating a simple base shape. Begin by finding the central point of your canvas, and draw a large upside-down trapezoid shape. You can think of this base shape as looking a little like a pot for a plant. We are going to use this base to create a more curved and realistic pumpkin shape in the next step.
Step 2: Create a More Realistic Pumpkin Shape
Using the base shape, we are now going to create a more realistic outline of our pumpkin drawing. On either side, create an outwardly curving bulge from the top to bottom corners of the trapezoid. You can then create slight bumps on the top and bottom of the trapezoid. The top of your pumpkin sketch should have a few more bumps than the bottom.
These bumps do not need to be perfectly symmetrical or the same size.
Step 3: Draw the Stalk and the Ribs
We are going to do two things in this step. First, draw a small curving stalk that extends from the center of the top of your pumpkin. Next, from each of the bumps on the top outline, create curving lines down the front of your pumpkin. These lines should not extend all the way down to the bottom, and those on the edge should be slightly shorter. Once you have completed this step, you can erase all visible construction lines.
Step 4: Begin Coloring Your Pumpkin Sketch
We are now going to start coloring our pumpkin drawing. In order to create as much realism as possible, we are going to gradually build up the color in layers. Begin with a regular paintbrush and some bright orange paint, filling your pumpkin outline with an even coat of color.
Step 5: Add Color to the Stem
This is a very short and sweet step. All you need to do is add a base color to the stem of your pumpkin. Use a regular brush and a very dark shade of green paint to fill the entire stem.
Step 6: Start Contouring Your Pumpkin
We are now going to begin enhancing the structure of our pumpkin with some contouring. Begin with a small blending brush and a touch of black paint, adding some light brush strokes along the structure lines. You can then repeat this at the bottom of the pumpkin. You can then use a darker shade of orange to enhance these contours even more and blend the darker shade into the base color.
When using black, remember to start very gently, as it is very difficult to remove black if you use too much.
Step 7: Create Some Texture
We are now going to add a little fine-grain texture to the skin of our pumpkin drawing. Use a fine detailing brush and a combination of dark grey and black paint for this process. Following the curving shapes created by the rib lines, create fine texture lines. Continue the process, gradually building up a realistic texture across the entire pumpkin.
Step 8: Add Some Highlights
When it comes to creating realistic dimensions in any drawing, contouring and highlighting go hand in hand. Now that we have created some shadows, we are going to complement them with some highlights. Begin with a small blending brush and some white paint, adding subtle touches of highlight along the texture lines from the last step. You can also add highlights to the very top of your pumpkin, blending the color down gently. On the left side of your pumpkin, you can create a larger highlight spot, as if a light is hitting that small spot.
You can add additional texture using a rough stipple brush.
Step 9: Enhance the Shading Further
With a small blending brush and a darker shade of orange, add some additional streaks of shading between the highlighted brush strokes. Add more shading to the bottom of the pumpkin and gently blend it upwards.
Step 10: Add Some Texture to the Stem
Now that we have created some realistic texture in our pumpkin, we are going to begin creating texture in the stem. Begin with a small blending brush and some light yellow paint, adding some curving stripes within the stem. Between these stripes, you should still be able to see the base color coat. Next, with some light green paint, softly blend these colors together.
Step 11: Create A Ground Shadow
Just before we finish our pumpkin drawing, we are going to create a ground shadow below the base of the vegetable. Use a blending brush and some black paint, and apply a soft shadow right below the pumpkin. You can then use a clean blending brush to create a soft and subtle blend outwards in all directions.
Step 12: Finishing Your Pumpkin Drawing
To finish our pumpkin sketch and create a seamless result, we are simply going to remove the black outline. If you are drawing digitally, you can simply delete the outline layer. For physical mediums, use a fine detail brush and the corresponding color at each point of the outline to carefully trace over it. You will now be left with a beautiful realistic pumpkin drawing!
Just like that, you are now ready for Halloween with your very own realistic pumpkin drawing. You now know how to draw a pumpkin from scratch, from constructing the basic shape to adding texture and dimension with color! We hope that you have enjoyed this pumpkin sketch tutorial, and you feel that you have gained some knowledge and experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Create A Halloween Pumpkin Drawing?
If you are a Halloween lover, then this pumpkin drawing tutorial is perfect for you! We show you how to draw a realistic pumpkin sketch, that you can adjust to turn into a carved lantern. To turn your pumpkin into a lantern, you simply need to create the face and use darker colors to add three dimensions.
What Colors Do You Need for A Pumpkin Sketch?
When it comes to the colors needed for a pumpkin sketch, you need quite a basic palette. You will need a few shades of orange, one that is lighter and one that is quite a lot darker. You will also need some warm yellow, dark and light greens, and the basic white and black shades.
Matthew Matthysen ( Drawing and Painting Artist )
Matthew Matthysen is an educated multidisciplinary artist and illustrator. He successfully completed his art degree at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa, majoring in art history and contemporary drawing. The focus of his thesis was to explore the philosophical implications of the macro and micro-universe on the human experience. Matthew uses diverse media, such as written and hands-on components, to explore various approaches that are on the border between philosophy and science.
Matthew organized various exhibitions before and during his years as a student and is still passionate about doing so today. He currently works as a freelance artist and writer in various fields. He also has a permanent position at a renowned online gallery (ArtGazette) where he produces various works on commission. As a freelance artist, he creates several series and successfully sells them to galleries and collectors. He loves to use his work and skills in various fields of interest.
Matthew has been creating drawing and painting tutorials since the relaunch in 2020. Through his involvement with artincontext.org, he has been able to deepen his knowledge of various painting mediums. For example, watercolor techniques, calligraphy and lately digital drawing, which is becoming more and more popular.
Learn more about Matthew Matthysen and the Art in Context Team.
