Looking for a sophisticated way to celebrate autumn or don’t want to carve your pumpkin? There are plenty of ways to feature fall’s “mascot” without the traditional triangle-carved eyes and toothy grin–you can paint your pumpkin using leaf stencils or actual leaves to create a lovely display.

Sand the pumpkin. Using a light sandpaper, create a smooth surface on the pumpkin by applying sandpaper to its skin. Rub lightly, in a circular fashion, to eliminate any bumps or imperfections on the pumpkin’s skin.
Clean the pumpkin. Remove sanded debris and/or any dirt the pumpkin may still have on its skin. Using a damp paper towel, wipe down the pumpkin until it is completely clean. Make sure the gourd is completely dry before painting.
Apply a thin coat of paint sealer to the entire pumpkin. This will prevent the paint from flaking off the pumpkin once you’ve created your design. Allow ample time to dry or refer to the paint for dry time suggestions.
Apply your stencil to the pumpkin. Depending on how you approach this task, you can either trace the stencil on the pumpkin or pin it in place. If you plan to pin it in place, you will most likely elect to simply paint directly over the stencil. This may work best if you plan to use actual leaves (make sure they are completely dry before use).
Paint your pumpkin. Use the stencil as your guide to paint your pumpkin. You could paint around the pre-traced stencil with one color and then use a different color inside the stencil–or leave in its natural, orange state. Allow the first color to dry before applying the second color.
Add a clear top coat to seal your work. Once the paint has completely dried (this could take 24 to 48 hours depending on where the pumpkin is sitting to dry) apply a thin layer of the top coat sealant to ensure your work stays put. Allow sealant to dry before displaying your pumpkin.