The Paint Combo That Makes Fake Pumpkins Look Real
Saw the reel and commented PUMPKIN? You're in the right place — here's the whole recipe: the exact paints, waxes, and brush I used, in the order I used them. No more shiny, plastic-looking pumpkins.
The combo for orange pumpkins
- Iron Clay (Fusion Mineral Paint) — the rich, earthy orange that does the heavy lifting
- Brown wax (Dixie Belle Best Dang Wax) — settles into the grooves for instant age and shadow
- White wax (Dixie Belle Best Dang Wax) — the highlight that makes it look sun-kissed and real
- French Tip brush (Dixie Belle) — the dry-brush tool that makes the finish
The combo for white pumpkins
- Gardenia (Dixie Belle Chalk Mineral Paint) — the soft, creamy layer that keeps it from looking flat
- Brown wax (Dixie Belle Best Dang Wax) — settles into the grooves for instant age and shadow
- White wax (Dixie Belle Best Dang Wax) — the highlight that makes it look sun-kissed and real
- French Tip brush (Dixie Belle) — the dry-brush tool that makes the finish
Shop the recipe
- Iron Clay - Fusion Mineral Paint
- Gardenia - Dixie Belle Chalk Mineral Paint
- Brown - Dixie Belle Best Dang Wax
- White - Dixie Belle Best Dang Wax
- Dixie Belle French Tip Paint Brush
How I do it
- Base coat — cover the pumpkin in Iron Clay. Don't chase perfection; a little variation reads as "real."
- Shade the grooves — work Brown wax down into the creases and around the stem, then wipe back the excess
- Soften —blend waxes to together with brush if it looks to dramatic
- Highlight — a whisper of White wax dry brushed on the high spots. Step back — that's a farm-stand pumpkin.
Tips:
- Less is more with the wax — you can always add more, and a light hand is what keeps it looking natural.
- Works on any foam or plastic pumpkin, any size.
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