Pumpkin Jack
by Mary Lynn Parson
Sometimes you find a piece of tinware that just tells you what it wants to become. Teapots are perfect for a jack-o-lantern. You will be surprised how quickly and easily he comes to life.
Decorative painting always appealed to me. I began taking classes in 1981, but it took me a very long time to deviate from class projects. It wasn’t until I started doing craft shows and painting on my own that some of my own designs began to take shape. Encouragement from fellow artists motivated me to become my own person. Learning the basics is very important; take time to do that, but then, have fun, and develop your own style.
Surface
Teapot or any rounded surface, I’ve used bun warmers, galvanized buckets, etc.
Paints
DecoArt Americana Acrylics
Avocado DA052
Burnt Orange DA016
Canyon Orange DA238
Lamp Black DA067
Light Buttermilk DA164
Orange Flame DA315
Pumpkin DA013
Taffy Cream DA05
White Wash DA02
Americana Matte Sealer Spray DAS13
Brushes
Loew Cornell
LC Series 7300 Size # 12 flat
LC Series 7000 #8 round
LC Series 7350 Liner 10/0
Stencil Series 222 - ¾” or Stencil Bulb Handle 1026297
Supplies
Double ended Stylus DES
Miscellaneous
Black flat spray paint
Painters Tape
Raffia
Burlap Ribbon
White transfer paper C102-1
Rusty jingle bell
Pip Berry sprig
Old toothbrush
Preparation: Thoroughly clean teapot and allow to dry completely.
Spray teapot with black flat paint.
Tips: Several light coats are better than one heavy coat. If you wish to leave the handle as is, mask it off with painter’s tape before spraying.
Paint lid avocado using # 12 flat.
Divide pot into 6 equal sections, lightly mark with chalk pencil.
Using stencil brush and Burnt Orange, pounce inside of each section, leaving approximately ½ inch of black showing on each side.
(Go lightly at first, you can fill in with more color as you go.) Paint spout as well.
Without cleaning brush, repeat Step 3 using Canyon Orange,
and then Pumpkin leaving approximately ½ inch inside the previous color, blending colors as you go.
Dry brush a bit of Orange Twist down the center of each section, using the same stencil brush.
Trace eyes and mouth onto tracing paper. Cut X where indicated on paper pattern. The pattern should fit over the spout through the cut slits. Use transfer paper and apply pattern to project with stylus. Tip: It is very easy to draw wonky triangles and a mouth directly onto your piece with a chalk pencil, eliminating the need for the transfer paper, tracing paper and stylus.
Using #6 round brush, paint eyes and mouth Lamp Black.
Use liner brush to create swirls. Drybrush with Taffy Cream.
Dot highlight onto eyes with end of stylus and White Wash.
Paint curlicues coming down from lid with liner and thinned Avocado.
Erase all chalk lines and lines left from tracing paper.
Use old toothbrush and slightly thinned Lamp Black to splatter entire pot.
Dry thoroughly, seal with DecoArt Matte Spray Sealer.
Finishing:
Tie some raffia, or burlap ribbon to the handle. Add large rusty jingle bell, and a sprig of pip berries to complete your Pumpkin Jack! Proudly display your work!
You can see more of Mary Lynn's particular brand of magic in her Etsy shop.