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I used a filled rectangular image in the Lens Distortion demo image below, but found if I made a very large circle and distorted that, I got better results.
Open a new image, 600 x 600px. View > Snap to Canvas edges.
Click the Ellipse Select tool and make a circle that fits in the image. With Snap to Canvas edges activated, it's easy to make a circle that fits perfectly.
These are the colors I used for the Blend tool:
FG color, Dark Orange: e76000
BG color, Lighter Orange: ffa64f
Gradient settings:
Gradient: FG to BG (RGB)
Shape = Linear
Repeat = Triangular Wave
Hold down the Ctrl key while you drag across the circle selection a very short way. You want a lot of "stripes" goiing across the circle. Start with approximately 1/2 of 10% of the way across. With a 600px diameter circle, it would be about 30.
If it doesn't work the first time, keep on trying until you get about what you want.
After you have the gradient in place select Filters > Distorts > Lens Distortion. Use the measurements in the image below.
Repeat Lens Distortion once or twice more. You can use it to fill a Jack O' Lantern dingbat or if you are artistic, draw your own.
This image show a 300px circle before and after distortion. I think I repeated Lens Distortion 3 - 4 times to get the final result. You could almost use the finished circle for a pumpkin; use a slightly flattened circle to start with. :mrgreen:
