Pour Art Pumpkins

Directions

1. Make sure your pumpkin has a smooth surface; bumps and lumps will cause the paint to go in unintended directions.
2. For artificial pumpkins, give them a coat of white chalk paint and let it dry fully so you have a pristine base.
3. Get your tempera paints ready—they should be non-toxic and washable. If any color is too thick, mix in water in a disposable cup until it's somewhere between watery and milkshake consistency.
4. Pour paint on the pumpkin's top; begin near the stem on smaller pumpkins, or more toward the edge on bigger ones, to get good drips.
5. Keep pouring and switching colors while the paint is still wet.
6. Use about half a shot glass (¾ to 1 ounce) per pour so the colors don't turn into a muddy mess.
7. Set up your work area with cardboard over a box or trash can to catch any paint drips.
8. Gently rotate the pumpkin to guide the paint down the sides, but don't move it too much or the colors will get muddy.
9. Let the pumpkin dry completely without any disturbance for at least a full night.
10. If you see fingerprints or spots you don't like, gently wipe them with a damp paper towel and touch up with base paint.
11. Spray on a clear sealer like polyurethane to make the colors pop again and shield the finish.