There's More Than One Way to Paint a Cat Rock

I used how-to guides from 4 different artists to create these kitty cats painted rocks.

Lin Wellford's book, "Painting Pets on Rocks" was the inspiration for this Black Cat painted rock.

Design courtesy of Lin Wellford

I found Lin's instructions clear and easy to follow. Other cat designs included in Lin Wellford's "Painting Pets on Rocks" book are: Tabby Cat, White Cat, Siamese Cat.

Note: When you click on certain links in this post, I may receive a commission for the purchase of products. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This Black and White Cat was painted using Ernestina Gallina's downloadable PDF tutorial - "How to Paint on Rock a Black and White Cat."

Design Courtesy of Ernestina Gallina

This Black and White Cat was more difficult to paint than Lin Wellford's version, however, by following Ernestina's detailed instructions, I was pleased with the result.

Suzi Chua's ebook "Let's Get Catty: Painting Realistic and Detailed Cats on Stone" inspired the Striped Orange Tabby and White Persian painted cats rocks.

 

Design Courtesy of Suzi Chua

Design Courtesy of Suzi Chua

I am always able to paint cute, whimsical designs using a Suzi Chua how-to guide. However, I find it necessary to study Suzi's included photos because her directions aren't as detailed as Lin Wellford's or Ernestina Gallina's and could be frustrating for beginners.


Flora Tan was a guest artist also featured in Suzi Chua's "Let's Get Catty" ebook who included instructions for painting this Sleepy Kitty.

Design Courtesy of Flora Tan

Of the five cats I painted using the how-to guides, I found the Sleepy Kitty to be the most challenging. The instructions were clear and detailed but all the fur strokes became frustrating for me.

The steps for painting a cat on a rock are basically the same in each how-to guide. I often refer to and adapt various steps/features from each guide to paint my own version of a cat rock.


How to Paint Cats tutorials mentioned in this post:

• "Painting Pets on Rocks" by Lin Wellford
• "How to Paint on Rock a Black and White Cat" downloadable PDF by Ernestina Gallina
• "Let's Get Catty: Painting Realistic and Detailed Cats on Stone" downloadable ebook by Suzi Chua

Note: When you click on certain links in this post, I may receive a commission for the purchase of products. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

10 Rock Painting Projects for Kids

If you're new to rock painting, a helpful resource is Lin Wellford's "Painting on Rocks for Kids."

Whether you're a kid, parent or grandparent, you'll find all the information you need to get started with rock painting.


You'll Learn About

• Tips for painting rocks
• Types of brushes, paint, and other recommended supplies
• Where to find rocks

 Each Easy-to-Follow Project

• Lists the supplies you'll need
• Illustrates the shape of rock to use
• Guides you step-by-step with clear, color photos, drawings, and written instructions
• Gives you ideas for variations of the project

Project How-To's Included in "Painting on Rocks for Kids"

1. Go Fish
2. Rocky Roadsters
3. Lazy Lizards
4. Flower Power
5. Rockosaurs
6. Go Buggy!
7. Sandbox City
8. Playful Food
9. Mystery Eggs
10. Bookend Bears

Find out more about Painting on Rocks for Kids

Other Rock Painting Guides by Lin Wellford

• Painting Zoo Animals on Rocks (Paperback)
• Lin Wellford's Painted Garden Art Anyone Can Do (Paperback)
• Painting Pets on Rocks (Paperback)
• The Art of Painting Animals on Rocks (Paperback)

Note: When you click on certain links in this post, I may receive a commission for the purchase of products. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks 

How I Discovered Rock Painting

It took me over 30 years to discover rock painting!

As a child, I enjoyed drawing and always had a pencil and/or crayons in my hand. I was one of those kids whose favorite class was art. 

But, rather than pursue an education or career in art, all artistic endeavors were forgotten when I moved to a big city, married, and had a child.

Twenty years later, I received a painted, clay pot as a Christmas gift from my sister. I loved my painted pot and it came with me (unbroken) on 3 moves to different states.

Skip ahead 13 years to where my last move took me - an environment I never experienced before - few trees and lots of rocky terrain. I thought I had landed on the moon! People used rocks instead of grass for their yard! Yuck, how ugly!

Then, I saw a review for Really Jazzy Pots: Glorious Gift Ideas and thought to myself, "I like gardening, want to paint with acrylics, loved my painted pot Christmas gift, why not give this a try."

Note: When you click on certain links in this post, I may receive a commission for the purchase of products.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

 

So, I started looking for this clay-pot-painting book. I'm the type who likes to borrow a book from the library and peruse it before making a purchase. However, my library did not have this particular book nor did my local bookstore at the time.

Months later, while I was looking through the book rack at Hobby Lobby for "Really Jazzy Pots," I discovered "Rock Painting Fun for Everyone" by Lin Wellford.


Once I started paging through Lin's book, I was hooked! It was perfect and even better than painted clay pots! The "canvas" was rocks - something plentiful where I lived! 

Each page of the rock painting book brought a smile to my face as I saw the cute things I could paint with acrylics and rocks. And, Lin's step-by-step instructions illustrated how easily I could do it!

My first kitty cats painted on rocks

I painted my first rocks seven years ago. Now my eye is drawn to rocks of all shapes, sizes and textures. I see their potential to come alive with acrylic paint to warm your heart and bring a smile to your face.

P.S. I don't think rocks are so ugly anymore.


Rock Painting Links
Lin Wellford's how-to-paint-rocks books
Free rock painting projects and other resources 
Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks on Facebook 

Note: When you click on certain links in this post, I may receive a commission for the purchase of products. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Learn to Paint Rocks with Free Guides, Lessons & Tutorials

If you'd like to try your hand at rock painting, there are several FREE, step-by-step tutorials I'd recommend.

These illustrated, instructional, lesson guides will show you:

• How to choose your rock(s) 
• The supplies needed
• How to create your own, one-of-a-kind painted rocks.

Today's Free Lesson is Courtesy of Lin Wellford

How to Paint a Wild Rabbit and Baby Bluebird on a Rock

I painted this rabbit & bird using Lin Wellford's free online tutorial

The rabbit was one of my earlier attempts at painted rocks and the bird was done much later. For a beginner, I recommend you try painting the baby bluebird rock first. Painting the rabbit's fur can be a little tricky and I don't want you to get discouraged.

Click here to see how I added my own personal touch to the painted baby bird rock.



If you've never painted rocks before, a free how-to guide will help you get started and for little or no cost you'll discover if it's the craft/hobby for you.


The free projects mentioned in this post along with their links were viewable on the date of this post. I cannot guarantee how long the projects will remain free and available online.


© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Heartfelt Sympathy for My Rock Painting Mentor

I just learned that in early September, Lin Wellford (author of the rock painting books that inspired me) unexpectedly lost her 33-year old daughter who suffered a cerebral hemorrhage. As a registered organ donor, Lin's daughter donated her kidneys, pancreas, liver and lungs to 4 individuals before she passed away. My heart aches for Lin and her family and they are in my prayers. As I mentioned in my earlier post, "It's amazing how an ordinary rock can come alive and bring joy in so many ways, including healing a broken heart."

To read more about Lin's moving account of this terrible tragedy, click here.

To learn more about Lin's daughter, Erika, click here.