Build the layers slowly, since flowers have a lot of petals. Paint the entire circle of petals with your first dark color. Once it’s dry, go over that with a lighter color, and have the next layer be an even lighter color. You won’t be painting the same sections every single time, of course—you’re shifting and building these different layers that are sitting on top of one another. While you’re doing that, try to make your brushstrokes resemble the petals of the flower.
12 Easy Rock Painting Ideas for Beginners
Many artists like to experiment with the surfaces they paint on and recently many have been expressing their creativity on rocks. Rock painting has technically been around since the days of cave paintings. Some of the first artists on Earth would depict the animals they had seen, leave directions for other humans or would even record important events. Rocks allowed early humans to express themselves and leave their mark on the world. While artists have come up with a variety of new surfaces to create on, it’s always fun to revisit classic surfaces artists have been using for centuries.
Our Arteza artists have come up with 12 unique ways to create fun and easy rock art. You can use various media, like acrylics, metallic acrylics, pouring paints, 3D fabric paint and glitter to show how versatile painting on rocks can be.
Give these techniques a try and make your own cute, decorative or inspirational rocks for yourself or as special gifts for family and friends!
How do You Prepare Pebbles for Painting?
If you’re wondering where to find rocks, you’ll be surprised once you start looking as you’ll see them everywhere. Find them in the garden, on the sidewalk, in the parking lot, on a nature hike, beside a lake, even at a beach. Still can’t find the perfect stone? Check garden centres, hobby shops and craft stores where they can be purchased.
The only criteria is to find ones in the right size, shape, and texture for what you have in mind. Smooth rocks are easier for painting, but those with texture might add more realism to the finished piece. Its shape might add to the work in unexpected ways and even be an inspiration for what to portray. A triangular one might look like a slice of pie, while a circular one looks like an adorable turtle.
What’s the best paint to use?
Acrylics were used in all the works shown below. Acrylic paints are constructed with a plastic acrylic resin, so they dry to a strong, permanent finish. Once covered in a protective sealer or varnish, your art will retain its colour and design forever. Acrylics also dry fast. This means you can add multiple layers of colours and details in a short amount of time without having to wait days for one layer to dry before doing another. They also easily wash off hands and brushes with water, so there are no smelly or noxious cleaning solvents to deal with.
To make a painting with acrylics even more fun, Arteza has all kinds of colours to choose from, such as neons, metallics, and tons of other colour choices. The possibilities really are endless!
Choosing and Cleaning Your Rocks
- If you’re purchasing your rocks, make sure they have a natural finish. Some rocks will have a waxy finish on them, which makes it difficult for the paint to adhere. Rocks with a waxy finish will feel smooth and almost plastic-like.
Choose rocks that are round. The rounder the rock, the prettier! It’s also easier to draw out a complete design on a round rock with even edges.
Look for rocks that are gray in color. Gray rocks will show your acrylic paint the best. They aren’t so light that the paint colors will wash out, and they’re not so dark that outlining your design is impossible.
- If there is stubborn dirt on your rocks, it might not come off just with water. Hold the rock under water and use either your hand or an old toothbrush to rub the dirt off.
- Don’t use soaps or solvents on your rocks — they can break down the structure of your rock.
Let your rocks completely air dry. If your rocks aren’t dry when you begin painting, the paint can run or lose some of its brightness. Once your rocks are clean, let them dry. If you can leave them outside in the sun, it should only take a few hours. Otherwise, let them dry overnight.
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Creating a Design
- For example, simple geometric shapes like hearts, stars, squares, circles, or triangles work well.
- You can also combine simple shapes into a larger pattern. For example, you could begin with a ring along the edge of the rock, and move toward the center of the rock, creating a ring of circles, followed by a ring of hearts, and then another solid ring.
- The colors you choose are up to you, but complementary colors often look best together. A complementary color is the one that appears on the opposite side of the color wheel from the first color you chose. You can also choose to go with all very bright, neon colors.
Outline your design in chalk or pencil if you’re using one. If you’re working on a dark rock, use chalk for your outline. If you’re working on a lighter rock, pencil will let you create more detail. Your design is totally up to you — you can create something abstract or an actual drawing. [3] X Research source
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Painting Your Design
Select brightly colored acrylic paints. Acrylic paints are long-lasting and thick, making them perfect for using on rocks. Make sure you choose bright colors. That way, even if you find or buy dark rocks, the paint will be easy to see. [4] X Research source
- The exact sizes will vary depending on the type of brush. For round brushes, look for sizes smaller than a seven. For rigger brushes, look for sizes smaller than a 2/0. For liner brushes, look for sizes smaller than 3/0.
- If you do want to combine colors, make sure they’re next to each other. Then use separate brush to scoop up each color and put one on top of the other on another plate or in the mixing section of your palette. Then use a third brush to mix the colors.
Use one paintbrush per color. If you use just one paintbrush for the whole project, the brightness of the colors will be muted and you’ll end up with mixed colors. Before you begin painting, look at your design and which colors you’re using where. Use small, thin brushes for small detail work and larger brushes for larger areas. Assign your brushes by color. [6] X Research source
- If you’re using a lot of one color, let that color dry before you continue. That way you avoid smearing any paint.
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