Yayoi Kusama Pumpkin Art Project Autumn Art Lesson Fall Art Activity Kusama Art

In this Yayoi Kusama Pumpkin Art Project, students create a bright yellow pumpkin with Kusama's iconic black dot patterns, layered leaves and a dramatic black background. It is an autumn art lesson that explores pattern, repetition, contrast, line and mixed media.

It suits art teachers, classroom teachers and homeschool families looking for a seasonal art lesson with bold, display-worthy results. The finished pieces work well for autumn displays, pumpkin units and seasonal hallway art.

WHAT TEACHERS ARE SAYING

★★★★ “My students LOVED completing this project! It was fun for them to learn about Yayoi Kusama's style of art and then create their own pumpkins inspired by her. All of my students had a very high level of success. I even heard comments of "this is my favorite art project ever...and I don't like art!"” Jessica M.

WHAT'S INCLUDED (NON-EDITABLE PDF)

• Cover Page
• About the Resource Page with prep and teaching guidance
• 2 Lesson Plan Pages with lesson overview, materials and teacher directions
• National Art Standards Page
• Critical Thinking Questions Page
• Art Project Rubric Page
• Elements of Art and Principles of Design Reflection Page
• Questions and Wonders Page
• Creative Process Art World Cover Activity Page
• Artist Statement Pages
• Example Artwork Page
• How to Draw a Yayoi Kusama Pumpkin Page with step-by-step visuals
• Step-by-step painting, drawing, pattern and collage pages
• Printable student support pages

HOW TO USE IT

Students first paint and texture the black background. On a separate sheet, they draw and paint the pumpkin and leaves, then add rows of big, medium and tiny dots. The repeated dots create rhythm and movement across the pumpkin, and the black background makes the yellow shapes stand out, so students see clearly how pattern can organize an artwork.

Materials: pencil, eraser, black felt markers, card stock or thick paper, black construction paper, black oil pastel, yellow acrylic or tempera paint, paint brush and water.

FAQ

Who can use this resource?

Art teachers, classroom teachers, substitute teachers and homeschool families who want a pumpkin art project or a Yayoi Kusama autumn art lesson.

How can I use it?

For art class, homeschool art, fall units, pattern practice, sub plans or seasonal display projects focused on repetition, contrast and mixed media.

How long will this lesson take?

Usually 1 to 3 classes, depending on student age and skill level, class behavior, teaching style and the time available in each class.

What format is it?

A non-editable, step-by-step PDF tutorial with printable visual directions, lesson planning pages and student support materials.

ALL TEACHER REVIEWS (4)

★★★★ “My Spec Ed art classes enjoyed this art activity. The lesson plans were easy to follow and complete. Thank you!” Julie W.

★★★★ “My kiddos did a great job with this. Yayoi Kusama is always a hit and these looked great in the halls!” Alexandra G.

★★★★ “We made some really awesome art with this and ended up framing it for the parents. Great resource. Thanks” Amanda W.

★★★★ “My students had fun making these. pumpkins. They turned out very nice.” Ruby S.

Get free, classroom-ready art lessons and printables in my Free Art Lesson Library.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathleen McGiveron (Ms Artastic) is an artist and educator who has been featured on NBC LX News and was the featured cover educator in OCO Magazine (October 2025). She creates art lessons for kids and educational resources for teachers, homeschool families and art educators. She is the founder of Ms Artastic and hosts the Ms Artastic YouTube Channel and Podcast.

TERMS OF USE

Images and lessons are copyright products.

YOU MAY: use this in creative ways and have as much fun with it as you like. For clip art, you may use the images as clip art, website graphics, binder covers or bulletin board decorations. Additional licenses are available for school use.

YOU MAY NOT: use this on OutSchool, put it on your blog, share it with other teachers, administration or districts (admin can buy additional licenses), sell it, give it out for free or photocopy it for others.

Sincerely,

Ms Artastic