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Easily Craft a Folk Art Pumpkin
This no-carve pumpkin is a playful, untraditional take on a painted pumpkin. Get the kids involved, let loose and have fun creating your own folky design.
Marian Parsons
Materials Needed
- artificial or real pumpkin (the smoother, the better)
- white acrylic craft paint
- 1-1/2” flat paint brush
- pencil
- graphite transfer paper (optional)
- colorful permanent marker
Paint Pumpkin
Using a 1-1/2” flat paint brush, paint pumpkin with two coats of white acrylic paint. Allow paint to dry properly between coats and before moving to step 2. Tip: As an alternative, pumpkin can be painted with spray paint.
Marian Parsons
Sketch Design
Use a pencil to sketch out a loose, folk art design. If freehand drawing isn’t your forte, use provided template and graphite transfer paper to transfer designs onto pumpkin. Rotate template and repeat patterns until pumpkin is covered with designs. Tip: Print template in different sizes to have even more design possibilities.
Marian Parsons
Color Design
Use colorful permanent markers to color in penciled design. Use lots of colors; this style of design will look best when it’s busy and full. Tip: If working on this project with kids, this is a good time to bring out the art smocks, since permanent marker will stain clothing.
Marian Parsons
Add Detail
Add more details and color to bring the designs to life, filling in outlines with a lighter shade of the same color (Image 1). Step back from pumpkin every few minutes to see if overall desired look is being achieved (Image 2).
Marian Parsons
Marian Parsons
