Layered Pumpkins

For those of us who love the fall best of all, these pumpkins will make your season! Pumpkins in all shapes and sizes for all spaces!

Follow the quick clip below to see a few techniques on painting any of this season's laser cutout pumpkin designs. The same technique works for all shapes and sizes.

For more extensive notes on painting wood shapes and designs see this blog post:

Painting 3D squares

SUPPLIES:

order a DIY Art Kit here or source the following supplies: your laser cut wood shapes
acrylic or chalk paints in various colors
sponge paint brush
make-up wedges
optional for distressing: sandpaper and a scruffy brush
glue: I like Aleene's Turbo Tacky Glue, but superglue or wood glue work too.
paper towels
paper plate
snacks... because ain't nobody got time for low sugar fainting, when you forget to eat while you're crafting!

BASIC TECHNIQUE FOR PAINTING LAYERED SHAPES:

Use as little paint as possible so that it doesn't run over the edges and to keep your design neat. Rather add various thin coats, than one that is too thick.

Blot paint onto your paper plate or paper towel to remove excess, before painting your designs.

Use a sponge or paint brush for larger shapes.
Don't be shy to layer different shades and add distressing techniques for faux barn wood.
Use paint sparingly and rather add additional think coats, than one that is too thick and runs down the sides.

Use a sponge wedge to dry-blot paint sparingly onto more complex shapes, to prevent color accumulating in the design.
Attach smaller shapes, such as leaves, onto an upturned piece of masking tape, so they stay in place without getting paint all over your fingers!
Run your semi-dry sponge wedge over edges in white for highlight or black for shadow.

Once dry, glue the pieces together and insert into the base. It should fit tightly and not require glue.
Accessorize with string and leaves.
If the base is tight, you may have applied too much paint, which will make your final product too thick for your stand. The stand is cut to fit the pumpkin snuggly, so it won't topple over. If this is the case, sand off some paint to make it fit in the slot.
Most of all: Have fun!!!

NOTES ON COLORS:

Pick a limited color palette, to make your design coherent. Too many colors can be distracting. Rather blend different shades of a smaller color group by adding white or black.
You get to paint the base as well as the frame, so if you go busy of the base, go neutral on the frame and vise versa.

That said, there are really no rules in art, so do what makes you happy!

These are a few examples of color options I used for this tutorial. I have 3 active sons running around, and so I tend to love neutral colors for a more peaceful color scheme in my loud home, but you can use literally any colors that please you! I have seen bright blue bases with yellow sunflowers and absolutely adore them. After I'd painted the colorful fall palette (center photo below), I realized that it was too busy for me and I repainted it white. That's the beauty of wood crafts... you can always paint over it if you don't like it! Less pressure and more fun!

These are a few color combinations on the smaller pumpkins:

Please share photos of your version when you're done with tag @threeandme on social media or directly at claire@threeand.me. Follow my Facebook or Instagram pages for new designs, workshops and events.

Thanks for joining me!

Warmly,

Claire

xxx