To give this finish its foundation, apply two coats of Cartouche Green One Step Paint to the pumpkin using a synthetic brush, allowing each coat to dry thoroughly.

To begin building soft, weathered color, mix two parts Topiary Milk Paint with one part Strasbourg White Milk Paint, blending well. Apply the mixture all over the pumpkin with a damp sea wool sponge and allow it to dry.

To deepen the color, apply My Herb Garden Milk Paint over the pumpkin using a sea wool sponge. If you need to soften the finish or correct any drip marks, a clean sea wool sponge works well to gently remove excess paint as needed.

To create dimension and shadow, apply My Southern Gentleman Milk Paint with a sponge, concentrating on highlighted areas like the crevices of the pumpkin.

To soften and unify all three layers, apply My Herb Garden Milk Paint all over the pumpkin once more, blending the colors together.

To add a touch of elegance, apply Gilding Size to the stem, or anywhere you would like gold leaf, using an artist brush. Apply a sheet of Gold Leaf over the sized area and buff it with the orange tissue backing to reveal the gilded finish.

To protect and enrich the finish, offload your brush on a piece of cardboard before applying Light Wax so you do not overapply. Wax the gilded stem first, then work the wax into the crevices of the pumpkin and over the entire surface.

To soften the overall tone of the pumpkin, apply Cerusing Wax all over the surface.

To bring out final depth and dimension, apply Dark Wax to the stem and into the crevices of the pumpkin. Enjoy the bragging rights. You have absolutely earned them.