How to Paint a Gourd
Gourds are often funky shaped vegetables that belong to the squash and pumpkin family. These colorful vegetables come in such a wide variety that they can be used as creative accents to home decor. They are seen during Halloween but can last the entire fall season. Painting a gourd is only limited to your creativity.
Things You'll Need
- Bucket
- Soap
- Dish towel
- Stiff brush
- Newspaper
- Sharp knife
- Fine-grit sandpaper
- Pattern
- Chalk pencil
- Blunt pencil
- Mask
- Gloves
- Acrylic paint
- Assorted paintbrushes
- Acrylic varnish
Instructions
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Painting a Gourd
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1
Place the gourd in a bucket of soapy warm water. Lay a dish towel on top to weigh it down. Allow it to soak for a few hours. Rinse the gourd off.
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2
Remove black mold from the gourd by scrubbing it with a stiff brush. Allow the gourd to dry.
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3
Lay newspaper to protect the work surface you will be painting on. Cut the top off the gourd with a handsaw or a sharp knife. Remove the seeds and pulp inside. Sand the inside, outside and edges of the gourd to remove any imperfections.
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4
Select a design pattern that you want to paint on the gourd. Trace the outline of this design with a chalk pencil. Place the chalk side down on the gourd. Tape the pattern to the gourd so it stays in place. Transfer the pattern by tracing the design with a pencil that has a blunt edge. Remove the paper. Trace over the chalk design that was transferred on the gourd with the pencil.
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5
Don safety gear such as a mask and gloves to protect yourself from dangerous fumes. Work in a well-ventilated area when painting.
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6
Paint the large areas of the design with a flat paintbrush. Allow to dry.
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7
Use a round paintbrush to paint the medium-sized areas of the design. Paint the darker tones in the design with the same brush to give your design a sense of depth.
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8
Use a fine liner brush to paint the small details of your design and to outline your design if you like. Allow your artwork to dry.
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9
Protect your art work by spraying it with acrylic varnish.
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Tips & Warnings
Pick up a ready-to paint gourd at your local craft store.
