trick or treat | #cautiouslyobsessedA post shared by Cristina Martinez (@cautiouslyobsessed) on Oct 7, 2014 at 7:54am PDT
40 Creative Pumpkin Painting Ideas for a No-Mess Halloween
Grace is an LA-based freelance writer, documenting her everyday life via her Instagram. She’s a fan of spontaneity, individual style, all things Harry Potter, cuddling with her two dogs, and exploring new places. More about Grace can be found on her blog, Girl Meets World.
Jul 23, 2016
If you love a good Halloween DIY, then you’ll love these pumpkin painting ideas that don’t require any of the cleanup that follows traditional pumpkin carving. This October, brighten up your stoop or doorstep with bold no-carve pumpkin ideas, and those trick-or-treaters won’t know what hit ’em.
1. String Art Pumpkin: String us along anytime for an art project that combines bright fabric, metal, and organic materials. (via Hello, Wonderful)
2. Disco Pumpkin: Disco is not dead so why not make pumpkins that sparkle and shine? (via Pop Shop America)
3. Indigo Pumpkin: Well, it’s official — it’s possible to indigo dye anything! We love the marbled ocean effect of these swirled squashes. (via Alice & Lois)
4. Pun-kin: Where my witches at?! (via Studio DIY!)
5. Mosaic Pumpkin: Traditionally made on pathways and tables, mosaics actually work on pumpkins too. Use a craft pumpkin instead of the real thing and it will shine all season long! (via Gina Michele)
6. Tattooed Pumpkin: Use this free template and decorate your ‘kins with winky eyes for the trendiest Halloween decor ever. (via Proper)
7. Unicorn Pumpkin: Always be yourself, unless you can be a unicorn. Then, always be a unicorn. (via Lines Across)
8. Watercolor Pumpkin: Go ombre or go color-blocked but go watercolored either way with this chic carving alternative. (via Twinspiration)
9. Turquoise Pumpkin: Rhinestones make everything prettier and we love this DIY teal-painted take on the orange classic. (via Dans Lakehouse)
10. Succulent Pumpkin: Add some greenery to your fall decor-scape with a creative pumpkin planter project. ‘Cuz it doesn’t succ. (via Gold Standard Workshop)
11. Bright Ombre Pumpkin: Let’s be honest — your pumpkin should not miss out on the ombre trend. (via The Daily Quirk)
12. Glitter Pumpkin: A little gold glitter only makes things better. Trust us. (via Nest of Posies)
13. Cactus Pumpkin: Bet not a lot of people would expect to see a cactus pumpkin on your doorstep. These are super simple to DIY and are a major conversation starter. (via Aww, Sam)
14. Galaxy Art Pumpkin: We wish all galaxy nebula looked as pretty as this pumpkin. (via The Swell Designer)
15. Pumpkin Stack: Basically, you’re creating a totem pole of pumpkins, which is awesome. (via Brit + Co)
16. Marbled Pumpkin: The best thing about this marbling technique is that no two pumpkins will be the same. (via Momdot)
17. Ice Cream Cone Pumpkin: This is so clever and cute. Bring some sweetness to your front doorstep! (via Martha Stewart)
18. Gold Leaf Splatter Pumpkin: This design makes it look like a pumpkin was your drop cloth when you were creating a really rad painting. (via Suite One Studio)
19. Beach Ball Pumpkin: Even though October brings chillier weather, hang onto those summer vibes with a cute beach ball pumpkin. (via Paint the Gown Red)
20. Splatterware Pumpkin: The blue and white are not your typical Halloween colors, so this pumpkin is a fresh spin on the typical holiday decor. (via CountryLiving)
21. Hudson Bay Blanket Pumpkin: This pumpkin is classic-meets-cool and would be great decor year-round. (via CountryLiving)
22. Doodled Pumpkin: We love the wooden design, but you can really do anything with a permanent marker and a pumpkin. Add a kitten for extra cuteness. (via Cosmopolitan)
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trick or treat | #cautiouslyobsessed
A post shared by Cristina Martinez (@cautiouslyobsessed) on Oct 7, 2014 at 7:54am PDT
23. Gilded Words Pumpkin: Time to test your handwriting skills! And it’s worth it in the end because the result is SO pretty.
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24. Silhouette Pumpkin: Go for an old-school black and white pumpkin. It’s a really cool take on the classic Victorian silhouette.
25. Message on a Pumpkin: Let the pumpkins do the talking for you. (via George Street Photo & Video)
26. Gold Confetti-Dipped Pumpkin: These pumpkins were *meant* to be seen. (via Studio DIY)
27. Gold Leaf Patterned Pumpkin: Yes, you can add a chic touch to your decor with a *pumpkin*. (via Brit + Co)
28. Modern Geometric Pumpkin: Since you won’t be carving, stick to a smoother faux pumpkin for this DIY. Its less-pronounced ridges will make it easier to apply these vinyl pieces. (via Design Improvised)
29. DIY Pastel Marbled Pumpkins: If you’ve tried marbling before, you know how fun it can be experimenting with different colors. For a softer and more feminine look, opt for pretty pastel-hued marbling paints. (via Proper)
30. Watercolor Pumpkins: Watercolor paints won’t actually show up as well on white plastic pumpkins. Instead, coat your pumpkins using a flat white spray paint with a primer for the base color. Once finished, seal the deal by spraying on clear paint or mod podge gloss spray. (via Lines Across)
31. Donut Pumpkins: Donut-anything is a winner in most peoples’ books. For a similar look, cover yours with “frosting” and use a tiny brush to paint “sprinkles” everywhere. (via Studio DIY)
32. Metallic Glitter Frosted Pumpkins: You can get this ooey-gooey look using metallic spray paint, mod podge, and glitter. For an even spookier ‘kin, consider using glow-in-the-dark mod podge! (via Bre Pea)
33. Gold and Neon No-Carve Pumpkins: This craft combines all of your favorite DIY goodies and trends: spray paint, gold, neon, splattered, and ombre. For an eclectic feel, use a variety of pumpkin shapes and sizes. (via The Source)
34. Blue Porcelain Craft Pumpkin: Spray paint a cream craft pumpkin with white primer, and once dry, use a pencil to draw a design and trace it with an acrylic paint marker before painting the rest blue and black. (via Craftberry Bush)
35. Brushstroke Pumpkin: Create this chic and elegant look with basic black, white, and gold paints and a stiff paint brush. The harder the bristles on the paintbrush, the easier it will be to achieve a pronounced brushstroke. (via The Merrythought)
36. Gold Geo No-Carve Pumpkins: These geometric gold pumpkins may look fancy, but they only require you to use a gold pen. (via Lovely Indeed)
37. Mesh Painted Pumpkins: If you’re digging that rustic aesthetic, use a chalky paint that will leave an ultra-matte finish. Simply use a mesh bag or sheet as a stencil and apply your paint using a foam brush or cotton ball. (via Creme de la Craft)
38. Modern Pumpkins: Though simple, these modern painted pumpkins are far from boring. All you’ll need to achieve the modern geometric look is white craft paint and painters tape. (via Oleander + Palm)
39. Nail Polish Marbled Pumpkins: These half-dipped marbled pumpkins only require water and nail polish to make. For more variety, alternate the mini pumpkins by dipping some on one side and dipping the others from the bottom half. (via Say Yes)
40. Pantone Painted Pumpkins: Mimic the turning trees by going for rich shades of red, burnt orange, and gold. (via Posh Little Designs)
Are you ready to jump on the painted pumpkin bandwagon? Follow us on Pinterest for more creative pumpkin ideas.
From Your Site Articles
- Go for the Glow: No-Carve Glow-in-the-Dark Pumpkins – Brit + Co ›
Grace is an LA-based freelance writer, documenting her everyday life via her Instagram. She’s a fan of spontaneity, individual style, all things Harry Potter, cuddling with her two dogs, and exploring new places. More about Grace can be found on her blog, Girl Meets World.
Grace Lee
Grace is an LA-based freelance writer, documenting her everyday life via her Instagram. She’s a fan of spontaneity, individual style, all things Harry Potter, cuddling with her two dogs, and exploring new places. More about Grace can be found on her blog, Girl Meets World.
How to make a no-carve pumpkin for Halloween — DIY tips and tricks
Halloween is upon us, and if you haven’t had time to beautifully carve your spooky pumpkin, no-carve pumpkins will do the trick. Learning how to make a no-carve pumpkin for Halloween is a creative, cost-effective way to enjoy the season. What’s more, it’s fun and safe to do with children, without all the mess that comes with carving a pumpkin.
More importantly, no-carve pumpkins will last a lot longer than just Halloween, and will spruce up your festive porch. So, whether it’s showing off your Sharpie pen skills or getting out the paintbrush, here are some easy DIY tips to make your no-carve Halloween pumpkin dazzle.
No-carve pumpkin ideas
Spooky bat pumpkin — Halloween isn’t quite the same without bats and ghouls, so why not decorate your pumpkin with them? Simply paint sections of your pumpkin with black paint to create a spooky backdrop. Then, paint the bats in the orange sections. If you don’t have an artistic flair, you can always find bat or ghost templates to cut out and stick on with craft glue.
Pumpkin people — Personalize your pumpkins with faces! Brush up on your Sharpie skills as you draw funny faces that will add much character. A great chance to get creative, and entertain the kids.
Spider web pumpkins — Create spider webs to adorn your Halloween pumpkins. Once you’ve painted your pumpkin in a solid color, simply use a white paint or some other contrasting color to design your spooky cobwebs, using the pumpkin’s ridges as guides.
White pumpkins — Painting your pumpkins with white paint first makes a good solid backdrop to make your design stand out. You can either paint on your Halloween ghouls, use temporary tattoos, transfers or any other colorful decorations.
Map tack pumpkins — If you have any office supplies, map tacks can brighten up a pumpkin design. Simply paint your pumpkin in a solid color, and when it’s dry, pin tacks all around the surface.
Metallic spray-painted pumpkins — If you want to add a bit of glamor to your pumpkin, metallic spray paints will do the trick. Simply lay down some paper towels or an old sheet on a table before you start. Then, spray the pumpkin completely with the metallic paint before leaving in a cool place to dry. You may need to repeat if necessary, if your pumpkin has patches. But the end results are dazzling!
Colorful tissue paper pumpkins — Craft tissue paper is also an easy way to decorate your pumpkin. Simply cut out shapes or designs, and stick onto the surface with glue.
‘The day of the dead’ pumpkins — If you really want to get creative, the Mexican tradition of ‘the day of the dead’ can make a really eye-catching pumpkin. Simply paint on the ghoulish faces, and complete with fake roses to stick at the top of the pumpkin.
Glitter stem pumpkins — Another easy trick to spruce up your pumpkin. Paint your pumpkin in a solid color of your choice. Then, simply add craft glue onto the stem and dip into a pot of glitter.
Ribbon pumpkins — Customize your pumpkin with ribbons or trim that will add character to your pumpkins. Simply gather up some vibrant ribbons, cut to length to fit the width of your pumpkin, then attach with a few drops of craft glue.
Fall foliage pumpkin — Give your pumpkin a fall makeover by using leaves, dried flowers or foliage to stick around it. What’s more, these are easy to gather from your backyard or porch.
Felt pumpkins — You can use black felt to decorate your Halloween pumpkins. Simply cut out the shapes for the eyes, nose and mouth, then stick onto your pumpkins to create those spooky faces.
Stencilled pumpkins — If you’re not overly artistic, you can always cheat with stencils. Simply find some stencils to draw on your spooky designs onto your Halloween pumpkin.
What materials do I need to make a no-carve pumpkin for Halloween?
You don’t need to spend a fortune on materials. Most craft or thrift stores will have all the supplies you need. These include permanent markers, glue sticks, beads, sequins, colored tissue paper, glitter tubes and more. You can also easily paint your pumpkins with chalk or craft paint.
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