How to Paint Watercolor Pumpkins The Easy Way

Learn how to paint watercolor pumpkins in this step by step tutorial. Painting watercolor pumpkins is relaxing and fun and something even very beginners can enjoy and excel at. Learn all the supplies you will need to make beautiful watercolor pumpkins. And in just a few easy steps you can be on your way in making watercolor pumpkins.

Watercolor painting has captured my attention for the past several years. Watercolor is intriguing to me because the final colors of watercolor are not revealed until the paint is completely dried. And you can build upon the color with different layers of paint.

So after over-thinking a bit I finally signed up for a watercolor course last winter with my friend Jill at her local art studio. Since then I have been enjoying watercolor painting. And I want to share what I have been learning with you in case you are interested in getting started with watercolor yourself.

And I think a good way to get started with something new like watercolor painting is to find something that interests you. Start there. Then if you like it perhaps you will have yourself a new hobby! So today let’s start with something fun and easy- watercolor pumpkins!

Here are the basic supplies needed to paint watercolor pumpkins or other watercolor painting :

This post contains some affiliate links to products I use (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission but it doesn’t increase the price you pay.)

Watercolor Paint- I like these two options Watercolor Paints or Watercolor Paint
Watercolor Paper- 140 lb
Watercolor Brushes
Painters Tape
Pencil
Black Pen
Masking Fluid(Optional)
Transfer Paper(Optional)
Art Eraser

Here’s how to paint watercolor pumpkins:

Here’s a short video on painting watercolor pumpkins:

Step 1: Sketch your pumpkins on your watercolor paper

With most watercolor paintings I like to start with doing a sketch. The sketch gives you a guideline for your painting. If you are drawing your sketch free hand using light pencil marks work best.

If you are not comfortable or unsure about your drawing skills another option is to transfer an image onto your watercolor paper with a pencil, transfer paper and a template.

All you need to do is print out your pumpkin template. Then place the template on top of the watercolor paper with the transfer paper in between. Trace over the pumpkin with your pencil. Now the image will show up on your watercolor paper.

Tip: If you paint over the pencil or transfer marks you won’t be able to erase them as easily. So after you transfer the image or draw with pencil, lighten the lines slightly by erasing as much of the drawing as possible while still being able to see the image.

Step 2: Start your watercolor pumpkins with a lighter undertone

I like to start painting my watercolor pumpkins by using a light yellow undertone first. I paint each of the sections individually, leaving a line of negative space in between each section.

Step 3: Add darker colors on the top and bottom of your pumpkin

After your undertone dries, add darker colors towards the top, and bottom of the pumpkin, coloring over the darker undertones. Play with the colors until you get a color you are happy with.

Tip: If a color is darker than you would like simply add more water to it and blot it out with a paper towel.

Step 4: Touch up your watercolor pumpkin

Now step back and look at your pumpkin. Do you like how it looks? Do you like the color? Now’s the time to put the finishing touches on your pumpkin. Add color if you would like it to be darker, or mix in other colors if you want more variation of colors.

If your pumpkin is too dark in spots, add water, and blot out some of the color with your paper towel. Remember watercolors can be changed by adding more or less water.

At this point you can also use a pencil or pen and outline areas that you would like to highlight. Using a pen to outline is personal preference.

Step 5: Practice, Practice, Practice

The secret to getting watercolor pumpkins you love is to just keep practicing. Once you have some basic concepts in mind just keep painting pumpkins and give yourself grace as you learn! Try some different color pumpkins and gourds. It’s such a fun and relaxing way to be creative for fall!