DIY Pumpkin Seed Art: Create a Stunning Fall Canvas

Create stunning fall decor with DIY pumpkin seed art! Learn how to craft a unique autumn canvas with simple materials and creative flair.

Skills Required: Beginner. This project is ideal for beginners. We’ll guide you through creating the painted background and crafting the pumpkin seed leaves. It’s simple, fun, and doesn’t require any prior painting skills.

After carving pumpkins last year, I found myself wondering what else I could do with the seeds.

Ever have one of those quirky thoughts, where you want to save something unusual because you just know it has potential? That’s how I ended up with a bag of pumpkin seeds and an idea.

Note that I have a bag of pistachio shells currently saved in my craft closet. I think I’m using those at Christmas.

Soon after, I discovered a beautiful fall leaf garland at the craft store, which sparked the inspiration for this project. I thought, “What if I could shape these pumpkin seeds into leaves and create something truly unique?”

This pumpkin seed art is the result.

Keep reading to learn how to make this canvas idea. Even if you don’t have any painting skills, you’re going to be able to do this project (and you’ll enjoy it). Here’s how.

Pumpkin Seed Canvas Art

Gather These Supplies

Folk Art Acrylic Colors: Coffee Bean, Orange Poppy, Pure Orange, Turners Yellow
Mod Podge – any finish
Pumpkin seeds
Unfinished wood letters (Scrabble tiles would be cute too!)
12″ x 12″ canvas
Ashland Fall Garland (from Michaels)
Paintbrushes – flat brush, liner brush
Transfer paper
Pencil
Tracing paper
Craft glue
Hot glue gun
1 1/2″ orange sheer ribbon

Prep Your Pumpkin Seeds

Before starting, wash and dry your pumpkin seeds thoroughly. You’ll want them completely dry before using them.

Create the Painted Background

Begin by placing Pure Orange and Turner’s Yellow on your paint tray. Dip your brush into both colors simultaneously, so each side of the brush picks up a different color. This technique is called double loading.

Double loaded brush with orange and yellow

Brush back and forth across the canvas, reloading as needed. This method covers the canvas quickly and creates a beautiful blend of fall colors. Avoid overworking any area to keep the colors vibrant and distinct. If you’re not happy with the result, let it dry and add more color where needed.

Design Your Leaves

Use a leaf from the fall garland as a template and trace it onto transfer paper to create a pattern. Test the placement of your pumpkin seeds on the pattern to ensure it works.

Once satisfied, transfer the leaf patterns onto the canvas using transfer paper.

Add Shading to the Leaves

Using the Orange Poppy paint, side load your brush by dipping just the edge into the paint. Shade around the edges of your leaf patterns to add depth and interest. Let the paint dry completely.

Side load and add interest around the leaves

Attach the Pumpkin Seeds

Start by gluing pumpkin seeds along the outlines of your leaf patterns. Place a small dab of craft glue on the wider end of each seed and position it on the canvas.

Continue filling in the leaves until you achieve your desired look.

Filling the leaf shape with pumpkin seeds

Seal the Canvas

Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge over the entire canvas, including the seeds. This will protect your artwork and give it a polished finish.

Add Final Touches

For a finishing touch, attach a sheer ribbon to the top left corner of the canvas and add a couple of leaves from the garland. Paint the wood letters with Orange Poppy and glue them to the bottom right corner of the canvas as a decorative accent.