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Friday, April 19, 2013

Painted Rocks: No Drawing Skills Required

I needed a break from detailed rock painting and created these colorful stones using an easy, no-drawing technique.

  
The only items required were a brush, some paint, masking tape, and, of course, stones.

I love to collect color palettes to inspire future rock painting projects. However, I often don't have the opportunity to try out the color combinations. (You can find beautiful color palettes here.

This simple, rock painting technique serves many purposes:
  • Method for trying out new color palettes
  • Easy project to undertake after time-consuming, detailed rock painting
  • Use for stones with no definitive subject in mind
  • Adds colorful stones to a give-away collection

You'll need:
  • Smooth, flat stones
  • Flat brush
  • Masking tape
  • Acrylic paint


Step 1: Use masking tape to section off a portion of the stone 

Step 2: Apply acrylic paint in your choice of color. 

Step 3: Once the paint is dry (you may need 1-3 coats), carefully remove the tape.

Repeat the process for each section you wish to cover with paint.

2 Sections have been completed

Geometric-painted stone with unpainted center section


Tips
  • Smooth, flat stones work best
  • Limit paint colors to 2-4 hues.
  • Make sure the masking tape is firmly pressed onto the stone so no paint leaks underneath.
  • Pull the tape off carefully after the paint has dried.
  • You may need to touch up some areas when tape is pulled off.
  • When painting between sections, a thin piece of masking tape can be used to section off the area. This will minimize the risk of removing paint from a dried section.

Ideas
  • Embellish your geometric stones with dots, dashes, floral vines, etc.
  • Leave a section of the stone unpainted
  • Paint stones in flag colors of your country, sports team, etc.
  • Use metallic, glitter, or other specialty paints for a different effect
  • Mod Podge a saying, pretty flower, etc. onto the stone

No drawing skills. No problem. You can still have fun painting colorful rocks and stones.

Embellished geometric-painted stones

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

7 comments:

  1. Hi, really glad I found your great info on painting rocks! I'm wondering how you achieved that "Give thanks" part?

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    1. I'm glad you find my rock painting info helpful, Debra. The "give thanks" was on a napkin which I decoupaged onto the rock. Had I torn the napkin around the words instead of cutting it, the effect would have been cleaner.

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  2. Cindy!!! You rock!! (no pun intended!) LOVE the idea of Modge-Podging the "give thanks" onto the rock. SO happy I found your blog on Pinterest!

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    1. Debra & Mack - I'm so happy to learn you found my blog. Here's an additional tip for Mod Podging onto the stone: Tear around the edges of your paper rather than cutting and you'll have more "seamless" appearance.

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  3. Hi, I need to protect my painted rock that will be kept in doors. Would I use mod podge or a varnish or both as a sealer? Thanks.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Christine. My preference is to use Mod Podge first followed by a sealer. However, you can use the Mod Podge (it will get sticky in humidity) or varnish alone. Here's a blog post about my experience with sealers. http://paintingrocks.blogspot.com/2012/07/how-to-seal-and-protect-painted-rocks.html

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  4. Thank you. This is just what I needed to know!

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