Once you have your image enlarged onto your pumpkin, you are going to trace it out with a black marker. Now, it’s not going to look as neat as you want to at first. But that is ok because you are going to fill up your basic shapes with paint anyway.
Pumpkin Painting Competition
Looking for a creative way to get in the fall spirit? Look no further than our Polk Museum of Pumpkin Contest!
Whether you’re inspired by the season, your favorite piece of art, or just want to unleash your (spookily talented) inner artist, we’re looking for the most cleverly artistic pumpkins in Polk County! Create your pumpkin using a variety of materials, take a picture, and submit it to us through the form below to be entered to win in one of four categories!
Award Winners
Congratulations to our Polk Museum of Pumpkin award winners! Stay tuned for an email with details about your prize!
Selected by Dr. Alex Rich himself. Decorate your pumpkin to impress our one and only Museum director and chief curator!
People’s Pumpkin
On Halloween, we’ll be posting all of your pumpkin creations on Facebook! By the end of the day, whoever gets the most votes will win the People’s Pumpkin Award!
Introduction: Pumpkin Painting Using the Projector Method
By ArianaSLabus Art by Ariana on Instagram Follow
More by the author:
About: I am a conceptual artist, and my DIY projects are mostly inspired by pop culture (movies, music, sports, TV). I mostly specialize in painting, graphic design, drawing, digital photography, performance art, and… More About ArianaSLabus »
I have been very fond of painting and especially painting on pumpkins for Halloween. But sometimes I can’t really seem to have much control with trying to paint a portrait of something by hand because of how neat or coordinated it would look. But luckily I happened to have my own art tracer projector which is commonly my “cheat sheet” yet handy tool and life saver in making pictures come out the way you want to especially in painting. Here, I am going to demonstrate how you can paint your own pumpkins for Halloween using the projector method as I show off this example of me painting Old Hag from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs!
Add Tip Ask Question Comment Download
Supplies
The materials are very simple. Here’s what you will need…
- a pumpkin, real or artificial (mine is real and it’s bought from Acme for only $5)
- an assortment of paints and brushes
- a computer print out of the image you plan to use for your painting
- a black marker
- old newspaper
- a sturdy table to place your pumpkin
- a tracer projector (not shown but I will show you what it will look like in the next few steps)
Add Tip Ask Question Comment Download
Step 1: Prep Your Pumpkin
First things first, take time to wipe your pumpkin clean from any dirt and debris if your pumpkin is a real one. Then, set up your workspace with a sturdy table and old newspaper.
Add Tip Ask Question Comment Download
Pumpkin Paintings Art Activity for Preschoolers
Decorate for Halloween with kid-made pumpkin paintings. These smiling jack-o-lanterns come framed and ready to display. Kids will love choosing paint colors and adding fun features to their pumpkins.
Halloween is a fun time of year for crafting. We can never have enough homemade ghosts, witches and jack-o-lanterns around the house or in the classroom.
This painting activity is easy to set up with recycled foam trays and craft paint.
The simple instructions for this art activity support a child-led activity. We provide options that can extend the activity or make it easy to apply to different ages and skill levels.
Pumpkin paintings on foam trays
This is simple process art activity, with the attention focused on the art experience and not the final product.
We are fortunate to have a recycling program in our area that includes foam trays. I often use them for crafts before they go to the recycle bin.
I prefer to reuse trays that package baked goods rather than meat products to ensure safe handling, even though the trays are washed before reusing.
Instructions for pumpkin paintings
Support kids creativity and imaginative spirit by providing options for unique pumpkin paintings.
Include purple and blue paints along with the traditional colors.
You can also make additional craft materials available, such as feathers and craft foam, to complete the pictures. This gives kids the opportunity to be creative and have fun with their paintings.
1. Pour orange paint into a small jar lid or paint pot.
As an option, show kids how to mix red and yellow paint together to make orange paint! This adds STEM learning to the art activity.
2. Paint a pumpkin shape on the foam tray.
3. Paint the outside edge of the tray with black paint to create the frame.
4. Allow to dry.
5. Add features with black paint.
- Option: outline the features beforehand with pencil or crayon.
6. Cut a stem out of brown construction paper and glue to the top of the pumpkin.
7. Attach a hanger to the back of the foam tray with ribbon or string. Display the framed pumpkin picture.
Be creative with your pumpkin paintings!
Add a stem and leaf cut out of green craft foam.
Cut features in different colors and shapes from felt or construction paper.
Cut features from a colorful sheet of glitter craft foam.
The feather ‘stem’ is a nice touch inside the purple frame!
Note: Can you see a bit of paint flaking on the frame? We found the Melissa and Doug brand black poster paint the most effective on foam. Keep in mind the process and not the product is the goal or purpose of any child-led activity.
