Before & After Painted Rocks: Dogs

Here are the rocks I used to paint various types dogs. Most often I chose a loaf-shaped rock for a reclining dog.

This is Max. He was a memorial stone and special request. Max was also used in my blog post about "How to Use a Wash and Tint Technique on Painted Rocks."

Say "hello" to Deuce. He was a special request for a birthday gift. (The brindle fur was quite a challenge for me.)

Meet Mr. Pug. He was painted using this tutorial by Ernestina Gallina.

This dog with puppies was painted using a tutorial from the e-book, "Artistry Set on Stone" 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 

Before & After Painted Rocks: Cats

Here are the rocks I used to paint various types of cats along with the sketches for the placement of the kitty's features.

Sleepy Kitty - A Flora Tan Design

White Persian Cat - A Suzi Chua Design

Orange Striped Tabby - A Suzi Chua Design

Black and White Cat - An Ernestina Gallina Design

Brown Persian Kitty - A Suzi Chua Design

How to Paint Cats on Rocks Tutorials:

• "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

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

Before & After Painted Rocks: Adorned Elephants

The rock shapes I chose for these adorned, painted elephants were:

• Round, roly-poly stone (left)
• Loaf shape (center)
• Triangular (right) 

My first step was to paint the elephants without any colorful garments. To help with the proportions and shading I referred to Lin Wellford's book - Painting Zoo Animals on Rocks.

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.

Elephant features sketched on the stones

The rock elephants are brought to life with shading and details

I then chose a different head covering and blanket design for each elephant.

Painted rock elephants adorned in festive apparel

Rocks are enlivened by paint to become adorned, decorated elephants.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Helpful Links

• Painting Zoo Animals on Rocks by Lin Wellford
• Helpful Rock Painting Tools and Supplies
• Rock Painting Tips for Beginners

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.

Before & After Painted Rocks: Rabbits

You can paint rabbits on rocks or transform a rock into a rabbit.

I used the shape of this smooth, flat stone to paint a rabbit holding a heart on one side and a large, plaid heart on the reverse side.

The shape, dimension and size of this rock was ideal for a painted flop-eared bunny rabbit. 

See More Before & After Painted Rocks

• Various
• The Beatles
• Garden Critters
• Furry Pets 
• Machines
• Wild Animals
• Suns
• Christmas Holiday
• Things with Wings  

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

5 Rock Painting Ideas for Halloween

Black Cat - What could be easier than painting a cat using a few black lines on an orange, painted stone?

Simple Cat Line Art on a Rock

Ghost Cats - A simple, repetitive design is painted on an orange and black stone.

Repetitive Design on a Stone

Ghost Owl - A stylized owl design using Autumn hues is painted on a white stone.

Stylized Owl Design on a White Rock

Pumpkins & Candy - Round stones make cute, little pumpkins and a triangular shape is perfect for "rock" candy corn.

Pumpkins and Candy Painted Rocks

Ghosts - Triangular rocks which stand upright are transformed into ghostly figures.

Ghostly Painted Stones

Be safe and have fun!

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Thanksgiving Turkeys Painted on Rocks

Cookie designs provided inspiration for these easy, Thanksgiving holiday painted stones.

Cookie designs are fabulous for easy rock painting projects because (in many instances) the decorating how to's can be adapted to rock painting.

The first turkey I painted used this Super Simple Turkey Cookies design. I added "Happy Turkey Day" on the reverse side.

This next painted rock turkey was a little more detailed and used this Decorated Turkey Cookies design. I painted "Gobble Gobble" on the reverse side.

The final Thanksgiving turkey was the most detailed of the three. I adapted this Easy Turkey Platter design for this painted stone.

After turkey dinner, this would be a fun project for the kiddos. I suggest sketching the designs on rocks first and then letting the children paint them.

Of course, if you're not a painter, bake the cute cookies instead or even do both!

Post by Painted Rocks by Cindy Thomas.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Rock Painting Ideas: Slimy Critters Painted on Rocks

To get my creative juices flowing, I have a new Pinterest inspiration board. It features ideas and patterns for painting fish, frogs, turtles, snakes, lizards, snails and other slimy critters on rocks, stones and pavers.

 
Ideas: Slimy Painted Rocks

Not only can you transform a rock into a critter but you can also paint a fish pond on a piece of slate.

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Visit my Pinterest Rock Painting Ideas and Helps board for more tips, tricks, ideas, and patterns to use for painting rocks, stones and pebbles.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Rock Painting Ideas: Birds Painted on Rocks

Spring is just around the corner and bird song will soon fill the air. I'm collecting ideas on a new Pinterest inspiration board. It features tips and ideas for painting birds (other than owls) on rocks and stones.

Ideas: Birds Painted Rocks

I enjoy painting birds on rocks because of all the beautiful, bright colors I can use. If you are new to rock painting, there are many simple, whimsical ways you can paint a bird on a rock.

Visit my Pinterest Rock Painting Ideas and Helps board for more tips, tricks, ideas, and patterns to use for painting rocks, stones and pebbles.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Painted Rocks: Garden Critters Before & After

I was inspired by a true story to paint a mouse hitching a ride on the back of a frog. Note how each stone's shape and size were transformed into the frog and mouse. Read more about the frog and mouse painted rocks.

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Learn how I used "black glue" to paint a butterfly with a stained glass effect on this rock.

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I like to use the rock's natural shape and characteristics whenever possible as illustrated in this ladybug before and after photo.

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More before and after painted rocks

• Various
• The Beatles
• Furry Pets 
• Machines 
• Wild Animals  
• Things with Wings
• Christmas Holiday 

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Rock Painting Inspiration from a True Story

Rock painting ideas come from unexpected places.

I was inspired to paint a mouse hitching a ride on the back of a frog after reading this true story about a flood in India.

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First, I searched through my unpainted rocks to see if I had any shapes and sizes suitable for this project.

Two, smooth stones were the right size and shape with a flat surface suitable for gluing the painted rocks together...

...so, I primed the stones with white, acrylic paint.

The stones have been primed

Each stone was painted separately using a simple design.

Painting has begun on each stone

Once the paint was dry, I attached the painted stones to each other using E6000 glue.

The painted stones have been glued to each other

My final step was sealing the rocks with Mod Podge Outdoor followed by Delta Ceramcoat Exterior/Interior polyurethane varnish.

To display the frog and mouse similar to the photo in the news story, I filled a container with small pebbles and shallow water.

We get by with a little help from our friends

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks 

Rock Painting Ideas: Wild Animals

I have a new Pinterest inspiration board for painting wild animals on rocks which I'll be adding to regularly.

Ideas: Wild Animals Rocks

You can paint all types of wild animals on rocks, either realistically or cartoon-like. Many people have a favorite animal they like to collect and painted rocks are great, personalized gifts for any occasion! 

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Visit my Pinterest Rock Painting Ideas and Helps board to get inspiration for other painted rocks projects.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Free Rock Painting Tutorial: Christmas Mouse

Patsy Waters has graciously shared her tutorial for painting a very cute Christmas Mouse on a rock (or slate).

Photo Courtesy of Patsy Waters

Step-by-Step Instructions

Tutorial Courtesy of Patsy Waters

 

Another Variation

 

You can adapt the Christmas Mouse tutorial to create a prayerful Angel Mouse thanks to Lisa Carter of ROCK ART USA.  

Illustration Courtesy of Lisa Carter ROCK ART USA

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Start painting now and you'll have some very cute gifts and stocking stuffers ready for the Christmas holiday.