How to Paint a Gourd

A gourd is vegetable that is closely related to the squash and the pumpkin. Gourds are very versatile when used as decorations due to the variety of shapes and colors they come in. They are very popular as Autumn centerpieces and in cornucopias, but gourds can also be made into birdhouses^{[1]
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Missouri Botanical Garden
Oldest botanical garden in the U.S. and center for botanical research and science education
Go to source} or even into Santa Clauses. Painting gourds is a great craft for kids and adults alike.

Steps

1
Fill a bowl or bucket with warm water.
2
Choose the desired number of gourds you want to paint. The gourds should be at least 6 inches (15.2 cm) in length, not counting the stems.

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3
Wrap a dishtowel around each gourd. Dishtowels help keep the entire gourds underwater instead of floating to the surface.
4
Submerge the draped gourds into the bowl or bucket of warm water.^{[2]
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5
Allow your gourds to soak for approximately 4 hours to soften the skin.
6
Rub the skin off the gourds gently, using steel wool.^{[3]
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7
Rinse the gourds thoroughly and allow them to sit overnight or until they are completely dry.^{[4]
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8
Apply a water seal if the gourd will be used outside and allow it to dry. Paint the gourd with an oil-based primer in the areas that will be decorated and allow it to dry. This makes a solid surface for your art.
9
Gather all the paints you would like to use and begin with a base coat. This could be an acrylic or oil-based paint. You can also use a spray paint.
10
Draw any desired designs on your gourds using a pencil or marker if desired. You can skip this step if you prefer to paint the designs free-hand.^{[5]
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11
Apply paint to your designs with paintbrushes or sponges using small strokes and a light amount of paint. You may also spray the paint, just make sure to spray lightly and at a distance of at least 10 inches (25.4 cm) to prevent the paint from running or dripping.
12
Allow the freshly-painted gourds to dry thoroughly once more.
13
Coat the gourds with clear paint or an acrylic quick-drying sealer to give it a glossy finish and prevent scratching or peeling.^{[6]
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14
Finished.

Community Q&A

Question

Can I put a clear coat over the gourd, leaving it in a natural state with no paint?

Community Answer

Absolutely, but if the gourd is going to be outside, spray it with a marine varnish. You can find these at Menard's or Home Depot.
Question

What do you do if you make a mistake?

Ollieoxenfree

Community Answer

Paint over it.
Question

Does the gourd have to be dried before painting it?

Fae Lynne

Community Answer

Yes. If it's not, the layer of paint will make it hard for moisture to escape as it dries, leading to a rotten gourd.