Leaping Bass and Fishhook Painted Pumpkin

From pumpkin to porch

1. 1

   Pick and prep a smooth pumpkin

   Choose a pumpkin with a broad, even face and few blemishes so your paint sits flat. Wipe it down with a damp cloth and let it dry fully. If you want crisper color, brush on a thin coat of white or clear gesso primer over the painting area and let it cure. A dry, clean surface keeps acrylic from beading or flaking.

2. 2

   Sketch the layout lightly

   Use a washable marker or soft pencil to rough in the fish arcing up from the lower left, the water splash beneath it, and the hook and line up in the upper right. Keep the bass large and centered so it reads from across the room. Leave a little breathing space between the fish's open mouth and the hook to suggest the leap. Step back and check the balance before you commit to paint.

3. 3

   Paint the water splash first

   Load a medium round brush with blue and lay in the curling splash under and around the fish. Vary the tone with a lighter blue and a touch of white on the crests and droplets so the water looks lively. This layer anchors the whole composition and gives the fish something to leap from. Let it dry before you paint over any overlapping edges.

4. 4

   Build the fish in layers

   Start with the dark green back and work down into the mottled midsection, then add the pale cream belly while the greens are still slightly damp for a soft blend. Once dry, add fins, the gill line, and the dark markings along the flank with a smaller brush. Paint the open mouth and a small white highlight in the eye to give it life. Keep your reference handy so the proportions stay believable.

5. 5

   Add the hook and fine line last

   With a liner brush and dark gray, paint the thin curved line dropping from the top toward the fish, then the J-shaped hook at its end. Steady your hand by resting your pinky on the pumpkin and pull the line in one smooth stroke. Add a tiny white glint on the hook's curve so it looks metallic. Fine lines are easiest over fully dried base paint, so take your time.

6. 6

   Seal and stage your photo

   Once everything is bone dry, brush or spray on a clear matte or satin acrylic sealer to protect the paint from scuffs and moisture. Set the pumpkin on a table with soft natural light, angling the painted face toward the window. Because nothing is cut, it will last for weeks and stays safe for a Thanksgiving display. Snap your photo from the fish's eye level for the best angle.