1. Choose The Right Pumpkin
The best pumpkins to choose for easy no-carve pumpkin ideas have flat bottoms to allow your design to sit well in your Halloween window decor or Halloween porch decor.
2. Clean Your Pumpkin
Cleaning your pumpkin before painting is essential to achieving a smooth finish and stopping pumpkins from rotting as quickly. To clean a pumpkin for painting, use a cloth soaked in warm soapy water to remove any dirt or debris from the surface, avoid wetting the case or stem of your pumpkin as this may encourage rot. After washing, buff with a dry cloth or towel to completely dry your pumpkin. Avoid using a harsh bristled brush for cleaning as this may scratch or otherwise damage the surface of the pumpkin leading to rot.
3. Use A Sealant Or Primer
Priming your pumpkin before painting is optional, however, it might help your paint job last longer,' Rachel says. Choose any craft-grade sealant such as this highly rated, quick-drying sealant on Amazon and apply liberally to your clean, cry pumpkin's surface. If using a spray-on sealant such as an aerosol, make sure to spray evenly across the surface in a well-ventilated space. For paint-on sealant, use a brush to apply an even coat to the entire surface and allow it to dry thoroughly. Give the sealant adequate time to dry before applying any paint.
4. Decide On Your Design Before Painting
Much like pumpkin carving ideas, it is important to decide on your design before you start executing your design. Similarly to how to carve a pumpkin, consider sketching the outline of your design onto the surface of the pumpkin with a pen or pencil before painting to make the process easier and help prevent mistakes. If you are painting your pumpkin with a base color such as white or black, paint this layer on first before drawing on the outline.
5. Paint Your Pumpkin
Painting is one of the most fun steps in any Halloween craft idea. If you want to, paint your pumpkin a new base color first, allowing this layer to dry fully before painting on your more intricate design. 'It is best to use acrylic paint for pumpkins,' Rachel advises. 'If you want to use an alternative paint pe, paint a small section in an inconspicuous area first to test the formula on the surface of the pumpkin.'
6. Seal Your Design In
'Sealing your design once the paint is dry is one of the most vital steps if you want your painted pumpkin to last,' explains Rachel. 'Apply another layer of your sealant over your dried painted pumpkin to lock in the paint and add a nice, reflective shine that can bounce the light of candles or Halloween lights.'