10 Creative Pumpkin Painting Designs That Beat Messy Carving
Halloween is just around the corner, and pumpkin patches and supermarkets across the UK are already bustling with families hunting for the perfect gourd. For decades, carving jack-o’-lanterns has been the go-to Halloween tradition, but it’s time-consuming and messy, and involves sharp knives that make it tricky for younger children to enjoy safely. Plus, after scooping out seeds and carefully cutting designs, your masterpiece often starts to rot within days. Art experts are championing a fresh approach that’s taking over this spooky season: pumpkin painting. Jessie Brooks, Product Manager at Davincified, a premium platform offering custom paint-by-numbers kits, has seen firsthand how painting can turn any creative project into an accessible, enjoyable experience for all ages. “Pumpkin painting opens up Halloween decorating to everyone,” says Jessie. “You don’t need steady hands or years of artistic experience, just some paint, a brush, and a willingness to have fun. It’s safer for kids, cleaner for parents, and the results can look absolutely stunning.”
Below, Jessie shares 10 easy pumpkin painting ideas that will make your Halloween display the talk of the neighbourhood.
10 Easy Pumpkin Painting Ideas to Try This Halloween
1. Classic Polka Dots
Sometimes the simplest designs pack the biggest punch. Paint your pumpkin a solid base colour, such as white, black, or even a vibrant orange, and then add contrasting polka dots using the end of a paintbrush or a sponge dauber.
“Start with larger dots and fill in gaps with smaller ones for a professional-looking finish,” suggests Jessie. “This design works brilliantly for beginners and looks gorgeous clustered together on a doorstep.”
2. Spooky Spider Webs
Create an eerie effect by painting your pumpkin black, then using white or silver paint to draw delicate spider web patterns. Start from the centre and work outward with thin lines, connecting them with curved strokes. Add a plastic spider for extra spookiness.
“The contrast between dark and light makes this design really pop, especially at night,” Jessie notes.
3. Friendly Ghost Faces
Paint your pumpkin white and let it dry completely. Using black paint, add two oval eyes and a wavy mouth for a cheerful ghost expression.
“This is perfect for families with young children who want something cute rather than scary,” says Jessie. “You can give each pumpkin a different expression to create a whole ghost family.”
4. Colour Block Stripes
Tape off sections of your pumpkin horizontally or vertically, then paint alternating stripes in autumn colours like burgundy, mustard, and forest green. Remove the tape once dry for crisp, clean lines.
This modern design suits any decor style and requires minimal artistic skill.
5. Glittery Glam Pumpkins
Paint your pumpkin a solid metallic colour – gold, copper, or rose gold work beautifully – then add glitter to the wet paint for serious sparkle.
“Use a clear sealant spray afterwards to keep the glitter in place,” Jessie advises. “These look stunning both indoors and out, catching the light beautifully.”
6. Animal Faces
Transform your pumpkin into a cute creature by painting animal features. Think black and white for a panda, orange with triangle ears for a fox, or pink with a curly tail for a pig. Use the pumpkin’s natural shape as the base and add features with paint and craft materials.
“Children absolutely love these,” says Jessie. “They’re fun to make and don’t look remotely scary.”
7. Dripping Paint Effect
Turn your pumpkin upside down, place different coloured paints at the bottom (now the top), and let gravity do the work. The paint will drip down naturally, creating an artistic, modern look.
“This technique is wonderfully forgiving, as there’s no wrong way to do it,” Jessie explains.
8. Constellation Designs
Paint your pumpkin deep navy or black, then use metallic gold or silver paint to dot star patterns across the surface. Connect some dots to create recognisable constellations.
This elegant design works year-round and appeals to astronomy enthusiasts.
9. Ombre Sunset
Blend orange, pink, and purple paints from top to bottom for a gorgeous gradient effect. Use a damp sponge to blend where the colours meet.
“Ombre techniques look complicated but are actually quite forgiving,” notes Jessie. “The blending doesn’t need to be perfect to look beautiful.”
10. Geometric Patterns
Use painter’s tape to create triangles, diamonds, or hexagons, then fill each section with different colours. This contemporary design looks sophisticated and can match your existing autumn decor perfectly.
“The secret to making your painted pumpkins last throughout October is proper preparation and sealing.” Jessie says. “Before painting, wipe your pumpkin clean with a damp cloth and let it dry completely. Any dirt or moisture can affect how the paint adheres.”
“Once you’ve finished your design and the paint is fully dry, apply a clear acrylic sealer spray. This protects your artwork from the elements and helps prevent the pumpkin from deteriorating too quickly. Keep painted pumpkins out of direct sunlight when possible, as this can cause fading and speed up decay.
“If you’re displaying them outdoors, bring them inside during particularly wet weather. With the right care, your painted pumpkins can easily last three to four weeks, taking you right through Halloween and beyond.”