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As autumn rolls in, it’s time to embrace one of my favorite fall traditions—decorating pumpkins! While carving pumpkins can be fun, I’ve found that painting them offers endless possibilities without all the mess. Plus, they last way longer, especially if you go for the faux pumpkins. Whether you’re planning a cozy night in or hosting a pumpkin decorating contest, painted pumpkins are the perfect creative outlet for the season.
Each year, my friends and I make it a little competition, spending an evening together painting pumpkins and catching up over snacks. The creativity that comes out of these sessions is incredible! It’s such a fun way to bond and get into the festive spirit. The best part? No two pumpkins ever look the same, and we all end up with amazing (and sometimes hilariously quirky) designs. If you’ve been looking for new and exciting ways to decorate your pumpkins this year, you’re in luck—I’ve put together 50+ unique ideas that will make your pumpkins the talk of the season.
Pumpkin Painting Tips
Before you start painting all those ghosts and ghouls, I wanted to share a few tips to help your pumpkins turn out perfectly!
1) Start with a clean surface: Wipe down your pumpkin to remove any dirt or dust. This will help the paint stick better.
2) Use a base coat: Applying a layer of white or light-colored paint will make your design colors pop, especially if your pumpkin is dark or orange.
3) Use acrylic paints: Acrylics are fast-drying, vibrant, and adhere well to the pumpkin’s surface.
4) Seal your design: Once your painting is dry, seal it with a clear spray sealant to protect it from scratches and fading.
5) Use painter’s tape for clean lines: If you want crisp edges or geometric patterns, painter’s tape is your best friend!
From cute fall motifs to movie-inspired designs, there’s something here for everyone. So grab your paintbrushes, gather your loved ones, and let’s get started on making some masterpieces!
The Best Pumpkin Painting Ideas You Need to See!
There are so many fun and beautiful pumpkins below! Be sure to check out the accounts linked as a lot of them are for sale this fall.
1) Beautiful Florals via Chera
Image and pumpkin via @cheracreative
2) Earthy Tones via Megan
Image and pumpkins via @meganlindseyillustration
3) Groovy Ghourds via Kelly
Image and pumpkins via @iamkellyhughes
4) Flower Garden via Kristin
Image and pumpkins via @besspapergoods
5) Perfect Pastels via Amanda Escoe
Image and pumpkins via @amandaescoe
6) Bright Pink Pumpkins via The Artful Grimmer
Image and pumpkin via @theartfulgrimmer
7) Cute Ghosts via Amanda
Image and pumpkin via @woodenthatbesomethin
8) Autumn Stripes via Brentwood Country Mart
Image and pumpkins via @brentwoodcountrymart
9) Boos and Butterflies via Jamie
Image and pumpkin via @bleupoppyart
10) I put a spell on you via Meagan
Image and pumpkin via @whimsydesignstudio
11) Pretty in Pink via Lauren
Image and pumpkins via @itslittlelauren
12) Spooky Designs via Sarah
Image and pumpkins via @garlandsandgravestones
13) Cute Kitties via Jill
Image and pumpkin via @hotpinkstyle55
14) All the Spooks via Alexa
Image and pumpkin via @alexaleconche
15) Franken-Pumpkin via Molly
Image and pumpkin via @mollyfratz
16) Hey Ghoul via Sierra
Image and pumpkin via @sierralmiller
17) Fall Florals via Lily
Image and painted pumpkins via @lilywindsorwalker
18) Dessert Oasis via We The Dreamers
Image and pumpkin via @wethedreamers
19) Woodland Whimsical via Sarah
Image and pumpkin via @knightandgray
20) Halloween Colors via All Of The Lists
Image and pumpkin via @allofthelists
21) Having a spooky time via Katie
Image and pumpkins via @katiepumpkinhead
22) Shaun the Sheep via My Little JJ
Image and pumpkins via @mytwolittlejj
23) Colorful Pumpkins via N O V E M B E R L A N E
Image and pumpkins via @novemberlane2004
24) Spongebob via Creativity For Days
Image and pumpkins via @creativity_for_days
25) Pumpkin bat via Sarah
Image and pumpkin via @allthingssarahx
26) Spooky and Cute via Becki
Image and pumpkins via @becki_clark_
27) Tropical Love via LITTLE LANE ART AND CRAFT WORK
Image and pumpkin via @littlelaneworkshops
28) Happy Pumpkins via Hayley
Image and pumpkin via @at_home_with_scrummybrummy
29) Prettiest Pumpkin via Amy
Image and pumpkin via @amymoffattart
30) Cute Abstract via Emily
Image and pumpkin via @emilynichols.art
31) Boo! via Designs by ECS
Image and pumpkin via @designsbyecs
32) All that sparkles via Niki
Image and pumpkin via @nikipilkington
33) Zen Pumpkin via Alicia
Image and pumpkin via @alicia.sanseverino
34) Perfect Pumpkin Patch via Shannon
Image and pumpkin via @shannonkirsten
35) Frankenstein Love via Justine
Image and pumpkin via @justineohme
36) Perfect Mini Pumpkins via The Amyverse
Image and pumpkins via @theamyverse
37) Pumpkin Spice Stripes via Shannon
Image and pumpkins via @shannonquimby
38) Farmhouse Pumpkins via Mauve & Me
Image and pumpkins via @mauve_n_me
39) Pumpkin Spice via Meagan
Image and pumpkin via @whimsydesignstudio
40) Scary Spooky via Nicole
Image and pumpkin via @nicole.hoff.queen.of.halloween
41) Prettiest Designs via DBGROVEART
Image and pumpkins via @dbgroveart
42) Donut Pumpkin via OUR FOREVER UTOPIA
Image and pumpkin via @ourforeverutopia
43) Gold & Blue via Kristina
Image and pumpkins via @kriskivu
44) Ghostly Details via Melanie
Image and pumpkin via @melaniepenelopi
45) Whimsical Fairy Pumpkins via Olivia
Image and pumpkin via @olivia_gonzalez_artist
46) Happy Colors via Diana
Image and pumpkins via @thehearteyedartist
47) Happy Pumpkins via Laura
Image and pumpkin via @lauraf1285
48) Stripes & Polka Dots via Art By Ann Houghland
Image and Pumpkins via @art_by_annhoughland
49) Scarecrow Pumpkin via Seth
Image and pumpkin via @nightgong
50) Autumn Florals via Mauve & Me
Image and pumpkin via @mauve_n_me
51) Monochrome Pumpkins via Lynn
Image and pumpkins via @nourishandnestle
We hope you loved all of these pumpkin painting ideas. There are so many different designs to try from simple to more complex! So get your pumpkins ready and try some fun designs.
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