Rock Art Handbook: Techniques and Projects for Painting, Coloring and Transforming Stones

I checked out this recently-published book: Rock Art Handbook: Techniques and Projects for Painting, Coloring and Transforming Stones by Samantha Sarles.

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 book is a great resource if you want to use a medium other than acrylic paint to decorate your rocks. There are over 30, step-by-step, how-to techniques using pens, paint, nail polish, glitter, fabric, paper, chalk and more.

The techniques and projects are easily explained and beautifully illustrated.

The topics covered are:

• Finding and Prepping Rocks
• Sealants
• Acrylic Paint
• Markers and Pens
• Drawing Mandala and Zentangle Designs
• Marbling
• Colored Pencils
• Decoupage
• Creating Unique Backgrounds
• Embellishments and Textures
• Rocks for Learning
• Rocks and Kids
• Possible Uses

These are rocks I decorated using just a few of the techniques and/or designs from Samantha Sarles' Rock Art Handbook.

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.

Sharpie Pens

Sharpies are notorious for blurring when sealed and I had several unused pens to experiment with. The technique: Draw various circles with Sharpies and then use alcohol and a Q-tip to intentionally blur the Sharpie pen lines.

Colored Pencils

The technique: Base coat a design with white acrylic paint prior to filling it in with the colored pencils. The book recommends Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, however, my Loew Cornell colored pencils seemed to work just fine. (Note: I used black acrylic paint to outline the flower.)

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Outlined and Filled-In Mandala Designs

This was my favorite project from the book. I used extra fine point Posca Paint Pens for both of these rocks. For details on the larger filled-in mandala design, I used a Sakura Pigma Micron pen.

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.

With Christmas approaching, Rock Art Handbook: Techniques and Projects for Painting, Coloring and Transforming Stones by Samantha Sarles would be a great gift for the rock painter in your life.

OR

The stones you decorate using the techniques in this book would be wonderful, personalized presents to give and receive.

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.


Supplies mentioned in this blog post:

• Rock Art Handbook by Samantha Sarles
• Loew Cornell Colored Pencils
• Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils
• Extra Fine Point Posca Paint Marker Pens
• Sakura Pigma Micron Pen

   
© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Classic Design Ideas for Painted Rocks

Don't only rely on rock painting books for design ideas. Classic designs from books published years ago can easily be painted on rocks also.

For instance, the book "Pat Olson's Holiday Classics 1" (published in 1994) contains 37 designs (mostly bunnies) but also includes several patterns for Valentine's, St. Patrick's, and Patriotic-themed paint projects.

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.

In addition to the 37 patterns, "Pat Olson's Holiday Classics 1" also includes general info about acrylic painting, painting terms, fabric painting, "watercoloring" with acrylics and an acrylic paint color comparison chart.

Each design pattern lists the brand of paint and colors to use, step-by-step, written instructions and indicates the page where the painted, finished design appears in the book.

Look at what I painted on a rock using two of the design patterns from Pat Olson's book!

I used these designs from the book - "Chunkie Bunny with a Heart" and "Sending My Love" - to paint this rock. One side featured the cute bunny and I took advantage of the reverse, heart-shaped side to paint a plaid heart.

"Chunkie Bunny with a Heart" and "Sending My Love"

For a St. Patrick's Day rock, I used the "Irish Children Chunkies" design and painted the girl on one side of the rock and painted the boy on the rock's reverse side.

"Irish Children Chunkies"

So, don't ignore out-of-print design and pattern books. They can be a valuable source of inspiration for your rock painting projects.

Helpful Links

• Additional Pat Olson Books
• Rock Painting Tips for Beginners
• Helpful Rock Painting Tools and Supplies

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 to Paint Baby Jesus on a Rock

Useful Links

Rock Painting Tips for Beginners

Helpful Rock Painting Tools and Supplies

Christmas Holiday Painted Rocks Projects

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: 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

Rock Painting Projects for Valentine's Day

Nothing says "I love you" more than a hand-made gift. These rock painting projects and ideas are unique and whimsical ways to show your love on Valentine's Day and warm the recipient's heart.

Sweet, Simple Gifts - No Fat Rock Candies

Painted rock candies are a sweet Valentine's Day gift to paint on rocks and stones. Learn how to paint rock candy.

How to Create Valentine's Day Gifts of Painted Love Bug Rocks

Love Bug painted rocks would certainly warm the heart of that special Valentine both young and old. Learn how to paint these cute critters.

How to Create a Stained Glass Heart Stone with Glue and Paint

This is a simple project and great for kids. They can easily draw their own design and paint within the lines. See the "how to" for this project.

Painted Heart Stones

You can paint all types of heart designs on triangular and heart-shaped rocks and they make great gifts for any occasion!
Click here for heart ideas and inspiration.

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone.

© Cindy Thomas Painted 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.
 

Before and After Painted Rocks: Christmas Holiday

Now is the time to put Christmas decorations away until next year.

Flip a triangular or heart-shaped stone upside down and it's the perfect shape for Santa's hat and beard.

A kidney-shaped stone worked well for painting Father Christmas.

Rectangular, flat stones were used for each of these Nutcrackers.

A triangular-shaped stone was perfect for a kitty in a Santa hat...

...and a puppy in a Santa hat too.

A round piece of slate and a small, oval stone were glued together to create a melting snowman.

Learn How to Make a Melting Snowman with Painted Rocks

See More Before & After Painted Rocks

• Various
• The Beatles
• Garden Critters
• Furry Pets 
• Machines
• Wild Animals  

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Christmas Holiday Painted Rocks Projects

Are you stumped and don't know what to gift a friend who has everything? How about a rock hand painted by you?

Are you looking for projects to keep the children busy during their break from school? How about an afternoon of painting rocks?

My gift to you is four holiday rock painting projects which are easy and fun for all ages to make, give and receive.

* * * * *

 

Sweet, Simple Gifts - No-Fat Rock Candy

Painted rock candies are a sweet gift to have on hand around the holidays and very easy to paint.

Learn How to Paint Rock Candy

 * * * * *

How to Paint a Santa Hat on Rocks and Stones

Painted Santa hat rocks make cute DIY Christmas gifts which are easy enough for children to paint and fun for all ages to give and receive.

Learn How to Paint a Rock Santa Hat

* * * * *

How to Make a Melting Snowman with Painted Rocks

"Build" this snowman in the warmth of your home instead of braving the cold, frosty outdoors.

Learn How to Paint a Melting Snowman on Rocks

* * * * *

How to Make Christmas Trees with Pine Cones and Painted Stones

Collect a few pine cones and use them with small, painted rocks to create a Christmas tree. 

Learn How to Paint a Pine Cone/Stone Christmas Tree

* * * * *

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

© 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

DIY Stable for Nativity Sets Painted on Rocks

On a trip to my local craft store, I found an object in the unpainted wood department I used as a stable for a painted rock nativity. 

Supplies

• Unfinished wood key/letter caddy
• Glue
• Bark chips
• Moss
• Wooden star (optional)

Instructions

1. The unpainted, wooden letter/key caddy was rotated so that the arched back now became the stable's floor
2. Brown acrylic paint mixed with water was applied to the unfinished wood with a rag, followed by a coat of gloss sealer
3. Thin wood chips were glued along the front sides of the rotated caddy
4. Thicker wood chips were glued to the top of the rotated caddy to embellish the roof of the stable
5. A thin layer of glue was painted on the floor of the stable and natural moss was then attached
6. A large wooden star was painted silver; gold glitter paint was added for highlighting
7. The star was attached to a slim wooden stick and glued to the back of the stable

The before and after picture shows the finished stable. Note that the rounded back of the unpainted letter/key caddy became the floor for the stable.

For another variation of the DIY stable, I removed the star and used a Mother and Child painted rock.

This DIY stable was made using a small, wooden, letter/key caddy. The craft store also carried a larger caddy that would be suitable for displaying larger or additional nativity scene figures painted on rocks.

See more nativity set display ideas.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks