Simple Paint Pen Halloween Pumpkin

I’ll admit I’m a sucker for anything monogrammed or featuring a family name. There’s something about seeing the family pride that feels old world-ish to me. There’s a charm to it.

Wanting to add this type of charm to our Halloween decorates, I decided to do one of the easiest and fastest projects on the planet. Seriously. Anyone can do this with limited supplies and 15 minutes.

Here’s what you need…

A Fake Pumpkin
Black Paint Pen
Pencil
Tape

Optional: Black Permanent Marker and Computer Printer

First, decide on the design you want. I used Microsoft Word to type out our last name in Carnivalee Freakshow font (you can download it for free here). Print out and tape into position on your pumpkin. You can also free-hand your writing – have your kids write your family name or every family member write different letters! Have fun with it!

You can also free-hand your writing – have your kids write your family name or every family member write different letters! Have fun with it!

There are a number of techniques you can use to transfer your design to the pumpkin. You can lightly coat the back of the design with pencil lead, so the lead transfers to the pumpkin surface as you trace over it. Carbon transfer paper is another quick and easy way.

However, I prefer to use the simple technique of tracing the outline of the design, removing the paper, and tracing over the impression with a permanent marker. This technique requires a deep impression and fast work because depending on the material of the fake pumpkin, the impression will lift over time. So press hard on your design and work quickly.

Please ignore my hiiiideous manicure. Haha!

As you can see below, when I outline the design, it’s more sketching than tracing directly. I use a permanent marker to get the general shape down. Then carefully using a paint pen, I fill the letters in. Working slowly allows the paint to distribute evenly, but no need to glob it on. The paint should glide onto the surface, much like a marker.