;

“Fall Grateful” Pumpkin Door Hanger Tutorial

by | Oct 8, 2025

Some of the links shared in this blog post are affiliate links. This means I make a small commission when you purchase through these links at no extra cost to you. All opinions and reviews shown are honest and my own. Thank you for supporting my small business!


Fall is one of my favorite times of the year to paint for, and today I’m sharing a project that has been a longtime favorite in the shop — the Fall Grateful Pumpkin Door Hanger! This design features three colorful leaves and a big turquoise pumpkin that’s just perfect for your front door.

If you’ve been looking for a project to cozy up with this season, this one’s a must-try. Let’s dive in together!

Supplies You’ll Need For Your Fall Pumpkin Door Hanger

Here’s a handy list of what I used for this project:

Step #1: Paint the Leaves

This design starts with three different colored leaves:

  • One leaf is light buttermilk with a little burlap shading to add depth
  • Another is a rich canyon orange, accented with scarlet for shadows
  • The third is marigold, touched with honey brown for details

Start by painting all three of the leaf sections, then wait for them to dry before moving to the next step. 

Step #2: Paint the Pumpkin

The star of this project is the big turquoise pumpkin. I used bluegrass green and shaded along the etched pumpkin lines for a natural look. If your brush starts dragging, dip it lightly in water and go back over your strokes to help the paint spread.

Wait until this section is fully dry before moving on to the next step.

Step #3: Add Fun Polka Dots

Once the pumpkin is dry, it’s time for some playful details like polka dots! Using a sponge pouncer, I mixed bluegrass green with a touch of buttermilk to create a softer polka dot color. Press down, give a little twist, and lift up. Repeat across your pumpkin for a whimsical touch.

Step #4: Paint the Pumpkin Stem

For the stem, I chose sable brown. To get this look just right, I recommend starting with lighter paint on your brush for the edges, then scoop more paint to fill in the middle for even coverage. Do this until the stem is completely covered.

Wait until this section is fully dry before moving on to the next step.

Step #5: Outline and Lettering

Now it’s time to bring everything to life with outlines and lettering. Using a medium paint pen:

  • Add doodled outlines to your leaves and pumpkin. Don’t stress about being perfect — freehand lines give it a fun, hand-drawn feel!
  • For the word “Grateful,” I used white paint with a filbert tip brush for smoother coverage. It takes a couple of coats, but the results are beautiful!

To finish it off, I added a black drop shadow to make the letters pop. Just trace consistently along the right and bottom edges of each letter.

Once everything is dry, you can seal your door hanger with varnish if you’d like extra shine or sparkle. Then it’s ready to hang on your front door and welcome fall with style!

Get More Projects Like This Inside the Painter’s Clubhouse!

This project is such a fun way to add color and personality to your home this fall. Even if your painting doesn’t look “perfect,” remember — it’s about enjoying the process and creating something you’re proud of.  So go on and paint, and have a great time while doing it!

If you loved this project, you’ll find hundreds more just like it inside the Painter’s Clubhouse. It’s our monthly membership where you’ll learn step by step, grow your skills, and connect with a community of women who love to paint as much as you do.

👉 Click here to join the Painter’s Clubhouse and start painting with us today!

GRAB THE FREE TRAINING:

Door Hanger Basics:
What Every Beginner Needs to Know

See the tricks of the trade in this FREE beginner-friendly training. You’ll get the rundown of all the basics in an easy-to-follow format that WON’T overwhelm you!

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *