Rock Painting Art

Painting rocks is fun. Be creative and turn boring rocks into small, colorful masterpieces.

This website is all about rocks and painting rocks. If you are new to painting rocks then you will find many tips and ideas on this page on how you can transform rocks into small works of art.

Have fun getting inspired and let the colors speak for themselves.

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A step-by-step guide on how easy it is to paint rocks

Overview

  • what you need; rocks and painting utensils
  • how to prepare the rocks
  • how to weatherproof the painted rocks

You can use the painted stones in a variety of ways: as decoration at home, in the garden, on the balcony or terrace – or you follow the trend of laying them out outside so that someone will find them while going for a walk and be happy

A painted stone is also a wonderful thing as a small present or as an addition to a present.

It’s very easy – children have a lot of fun too so that you can paint and get creative together.

Most important – rocks

When painting rocks, of course, you first need the most important material – rocks. You can collect small rocks and pebbles from outside. They are everywhere in nature – big and small, round and angular, flat and spherical.

Most of all, I use oval stones with a slightly flattened top, on which you can implement many motifs really well.

Sometimes, however, a stone with an unusual shape or, for example, a broken corner inspires a certain motif. You may then be able to “recognize” different images directly by looking at them

If you go collecting, take a diverse collection of stones home with you! often the shape of the rock will inspire you so that you can then implement your idea with a brush and paint.

Where can you find rocks?

When you look carefully around outside, rocks and pebbles are almost everywhere.

At the side of the road, along small streams, on the riverbank, in the forest, in gravel pits, rocks are all over, river pebbles are particularly suitable. Do not take stones from private property or from your neighbor’s yard.  There are sure to be lots of decorative rocks in your local landscaping store, too.

Once you have rocks you need a brush and paint

You can use a wide variety of different paints to be creative with your rocks. From acrylic paints to watercolors, felt-tip pens, chalks, pencils, and colored pencils.

Prepare rocks for painting

If you have pebbles from a riverbank, you can usually start painting right away. Otherwise, briefly clean the stones by washing them under running water and let ’em dry.

If the rocks are really dirty you can even put them in the dishwasher. You can also scrub dirtier rocks off with a brush.

Are the rocks dry?

Then you can start painting right away. With some rocks, however, it is better to apply a primer first.

Priming and sealing porous rocks

You don’t have to apply a primer to every rock. That depends on the surface of the rocks. If the surface is porous then a primer is better so that not so much paint is absorbed. A primed smooth surface can be painted with great precision.

Priming rocks will also provide a better base for most paints. While acrylic paints or acrylic markers look great right on the stone without any problems, watercolors are a different story.

There are special primers for water paint. For example, with Aqua-Ground or Gesso, you can prime the surface on the stone so that the water paint will adhere well and the colors shine.

So that the finished painted rock is weatherproof, you should coat it with a water-based clear varnish. Make sure that the varnish is water-based too and does not base on harmful solvents.

Firstly, solvents are not that environmentally friendly, and secondly, such varnishes often do not go well with the colors used, so that your beautiful work may end up smeared and run.

In addition, your brushes are easier to clean if you use water-based paint.

What is also very convenient is simply to use a spraying can and spray the painted rocks with a clear varnish.

Are your rocks ready? Great!

Now you can hide the rocks somewhere or you just lay it out on the side of the road. I am sure someone will be really happy when they find your stone!

Painted rocks can also be used as decoration in your living room, and they are also a lot of fun as a gift.