Fall Art Fun: Painting Pumpkins with Watercolors

Oct 21
2 min read

Watercolor pumpkin paintings in warm orange tones displayed on an easel.

There’s something magical about autumn at Master Art Academy—the air gets a little crisper, the colors get warmer, and pumpkins make their way into our art tables. Our students explored observational drawing and watercolor techniques, bringing a seasonal favorite—the pumpkin—to life!

From Real Pumpkin to Painted Masterpiece

We placed a bright, plump pumpkin in the center of the studio as our reference. Each student studied its shape, stem, and subtle curves before lightly sketching their own outline. By observing the pumpkin up close, they learned how form, proportion, and contour lines bring a simple subject to life.

Using watercolor palettes, they layered soft washes of warm oranges, yellows, and browns—building dimension through light and shadow. Students practiced:

Wet-on-wet blending for soft, natural gradients.
Layering to create rich depth and realistic shadows.
Highlighting with water control to keep the pumpkin glowing.

The results were beautiful: each pumpkin had its own personality, from tall and elegant to short and round, just like the real ones in the patch.

Art Skills They Learned

Observational drawing from a still life
Color mixing for warm autumn tones
Creating shadows for a 3D effect
Patience and layering techniques with watercolor

A Cozy Creative Moment

It was a joy watching both our young artists and our teacher paint side by side, fully immersed in their work. These moments build confidence, strengthen skills, and remind us that art is about seeing the world differently—even if it’s just a humble pumpkin.