How to Paint a Pumpkin With Watercolors Video Tutorial
Now that Autumn is in full glory and the leaves are beginning their descent back to the nourishing earth, it is time to PAINT! I thought you might enjoy a tutorial video I did years ago on how to paint a pumpkin, the tried and true symbol for October. Watercolor painting is a versatile and exciting medium, which is why it is my favorite! It can beautifully capture the seasonal charm of a pumpkin. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, painting a watercolor pumpkin can be a fun and rewarding project during the time of year when we return indoors. Watch my video and/or follow these step-by-step instructions to create your own vibrant and eye-catching seasonal masterpiece.
Materials You Will Need
My philosophy is ALWAYS to use what you have and don’t let materials stop the flow of your creativity. Sometimes doing artwork on something from the recycle bin, for example, can turn into your favorite work of art.
Work from life, a picture or your imagination; Having a reference, a real pumpkin or photo can give your eye lots of clues when you are painting. Feel free to use the one above or one you picked up from a local pumpkin patch like I did in the video. The photo is a great reference because it shows lots of color variation and contrast.
Watercolor paper: Choose a heavyweight, acid-free paper specifically designed for watercolor painting, or whatever you have, thicker paper is better.
Watercolor paints and palette: Select an array of warm colors such as oranges, yellows, browns, and greens to capture the essence of a pumpkin. You may also want to include a few neutral tones like sepia and burnt sienna. A palette can be a glass plate.
Paintbrushes: A large round brush for the background and larger areas and a smaller brush for details.
Water containers: Keep a couple of containers filled with clean water for rinsing your brushes.
Paper towel or cloth: This will come in handy for blotting excess water and paint.
Pencil: Use a light pencil to sketch the basic outline of your pumpkin, ensuring the pencil lines are not too dark to interfere with the watercolor.
Masking fluid (optional): If you want to preserve certain areas of your paper, such as highlights or veins, masking fluid may be used.
“Every Leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree”
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Outline the Pumpkin: Lightly sketch the basic shape of your pumpkin on the watercolor paper using the pencil. Pay attention to the size and proportions to achieve a realistic texture.
2. Prepare Your Palette: Squeeze out the desired colors onto your palette, leaving enough space between them for mixing. Remember to include varying shades of oranges, browns, and greens to add depth and dimension to your pumpkin.
3. Mix the Colors: Use a separate section of your palette to mix different shades by blending two or more primary colors. Experiment with different ratios until you achieve the desired tones. Mixing complementary colors, such as blue and orange or purple and yellow, can help to create interesting shadow and highlight effects.
4. Start Background Wash: Wet your large round brush and apply a thin layer of water to the background area surrounding the pumpkin. Start with a light wash of warm colors, gradually adding more pigments to create a gradient effect. Allow the colors to blend and flow organically, simulating the atmosphere of the fall season. Allow to dry or use a hairdryer to speed up the process.
5. Paint the Pumpkin: Begin by applying a light base color to the pumpkin, leaving out any areas you plan to mask with masking fluid. Layer additional washes using different shades of oranges and browns, gradually building up the color and texture of the pumpkin. Experiment with various brush techniques such as dry brush or wet-on-wet to create interesting effects and highlights.
6. Add Details: Once the layers have dried, remove any masking fluid if used. Using smaller brushes, carefully add details such as the stem, veins, and any other markings or blemishes on the pumpkin. Pay attention to light and shadows, adding depth and dimension to make your pumpkin look realistic.
7. Final Touches: Take a step back and assess your artwork. Make any necessary adjustments or add extra highlights and shadows to enhance the overall composition. Experiment with splatter or spatter techniques to create texture or simulate falling leaves around the pumpkin.
8. Let it Dry: Allow your painting to dry completely before handling or displaying. This may take a few hours or longer depending on the thickness of your paper.
With these step-by-step instructions, you can create a beautifully vibrant watercolor pumpkin that captures the essence of the season. Remember to have fun and embrace experimentation to make your artwork unique and truly your own. I would love to see your work will you share it with me? You can send me a picture at heather@apprenticeartstudio.com