How to Draw a Pumpkin?

What you need

• A pencil and eraser
• Paper
• Optional: pen for outlining, orange and green for coloring

Step-by-step

1. Draw the main body. Sketch a wide oval (slightly squashed, wider than it is tall). This is the center section of the pumpkin.
2. Add the side sections (ribs). On each side of the center oval, draw curved vertical lines that bow outward and meet at the top and bottom — like drawing crescent shapes hugging the center. Add one or two ribs on each side. This gives the pumpkin its classic ridged, segmented look.
3. Draw the stem. At the top center, add a short, chunky stem — two slightly curved lines with a bumpy top. You can add a little curl or a leaf beside it.
4. Outline and clean up. Go over your final lines, then erase any overlapping guide lines inside the shape.
5. Add details and shading. Darken the grooves between the ribs. Shade the sides a little darker and leave the center lighter to make it look round and 3D. Color it orange with a green or brown stem.

For a jack-o'-lantern: Add triangle eyes, a triangle nose, and a toothy grin, then darken the cut-out shapes.

Tips: Keep the ribs evenly curved and symmetrical-ish, and remember pumpkins bulge in the middle and taper slightly at top and bottom.

Nearby questions in this topic include How to Draw a Rose? and How to Draw a Snake?.

More in this cluster: other Drawing & Crafts questions. You can also go to ask your own question and type a new question.