Rock Painting Tips for Beginners

Where to Find Rocks

For many of us, rocks are plentiful in our environment and free for the taking. If you have difficulty finding stones to paint, you can:

• Enlist the help of a friend  
• Purchase bags of stones
• 1 to 2" Caribbean Beach Pebbles
• 3 to 5" Caribbean Beach Pebbles
• Check out the Garden Department at local stores

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.

Stones purchased from Home Depot

I do not condone removing rocks from government lands or parks or a residence or business which has been landscaped with rocks. 


How to Prepare Rocks and Stones for Painting

You will need to clean and (in some cases) prime your rocks prior to painting. Read more about this tip.

Learn how to prepare stones for painting

 
How to Make Stones Stand Upright

If your rock is wobbly and you would like it to stand upright, read this tip for adding a base.

Learn how to add a base to stones

 
What Are the Best Brushes for Rock Painting?

You can use any brush to paint rocks (and I have many) but I keep returning to the same three brushes. Learn about my favorite brushes.

Learn about my favorite brushes

 
What Type of Paint is Best for Rocks and Stones?

Acrylic paint and craft acrylic both work well on rocks. The difference between them is the craft acrylic is thinner and more paint applications may be necessary. Learn about specialty paints you can also use on rocks.

Learn about specialty paints for rocks

 
Can I Use Sharpies on Painted Rocks?

Regular Sharpie markers smear and change color when a sealer is applied. Learn about paint pens suitable for rocks.

Learn more about these paint pens

How to Correct Mistakes on Painted Rocks

Learn how to fix a mistake while painting a rock and after it's finished (but before it's been sealed).

Learn how to fix mistakes on painted rocks

How to Seal and Protect Painted Rocks

Painted rocks beg to be picked up and admired and by applying a sealant, the colors remain true and the life of the painted rock is extended.  

• Learn about brush-on sealers
• Learn about spray-on sealers 

How to Display Painted Rocks - Store-Bought and DIY Solutions

You can display painted rocks by using wooden, metal and plastic display easels, a plate stand, or DIY stand made from drapery slip-on hooks. Learn how to make your own display stand and see other options here.  


Optional Household Items

• These inexpensive household items make rock painting easier and less messy
• DIY Paint Palettes

Can't Draw? No Problem
Create colorful painted stones with this no-draw technique.

Learn how to paint these stones - no drawing required

You  can trace a pattern onto a rock and paint it.

Learn how to trace a pattern onto a rock

 
Where to Find Rock Painting Ideas

• Tutorials
• Free Lessons
• Rock Art!: Painting and Crafting with the Humble Pebble
• Lin Wellford Rock Painting Books

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.

My Favorite Tools and Supplies

I use these tools and supplies regularly to paint rocks and recommend them. (I may receive a commission for the purchase of products when you click on certain links in this post.)

• Caribbean Beach Pebbles - I love painting on these semi-smooth, white stones
• Liquitex Super Heavy Gesso - Primes my pitted stones
• Nail Art Brush Set - These are great for getting paint into the tight spaces of my design(s)
• Royal & Langnickel Script Liner Brush - My go-to brush for painting thin lines and detailing
• Sakura Pigma Micron Pen - I use the 08 size for writing on stones
• Posca Paint Pens - The best markers for painted rocks
• Embossing-Stylus Set - For tracing a design onto a rock with graphite transfer paper and also used as dotting tools
• Paint Eraser - A handy tool for wiping away mistakes while the paint is still wet
• E6000 Glue - Attaches stones together
• Americana DuraClear Satin Varnish - My favorite brush-on sealer
• Pink Soap - Conditions my brushes to extend their life

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Painted Rocks & Stones: Before and After

I'd like to share some of my "before & after" photos so you can see for yourself how a little paint brings plain, ordinary rocks to life.

See More Rocks Transformed with Paint

Learn More About These Painted Rocks

 
 

How to Paint No-Fat Rock Candies

See More Critters Painted on Rocks and Stones

How to Paint a Santa Hat on Rocks and Stones

  

Identify Your Garden with an Address Painted on Stone

 

How to Paint a Nativity Set on Pavestones

Rocks and stones don't seem so plain and ordinary to me anymore now that I've discovered rock painting.

See more before and after painted rocks:

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

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

How To Mod Podge a Napkin onto Rocks

I was saving a pretty napkin for a craft project and decided to try Mod Podging it onto a large rock. (I love painting rocks and stones but wanted a break from detailed painting.)






First, I cut a design from the napkin that would fit best on the rock.

Then I used a brush to paint a thin coat of Mod Podge on the rock and pressed the napkin design carefully onto the rock.

Next I applied a coat of Mod Podge over the design.

PROBLEM: I could not smooth the wrinkles from the Mod Podge-saturated napkin without tearing it.

So, I left the wrinkles/bubbles.

Napkin design Mod Podged onto large rock

Maybe less is more? I decided to use smaller designs and smaller stones following the same steps as above.

This time I was able to smooth the Mod Podge-saturated napkin without tearing it.

Napkin design Mod Podged onto small stones

SOLUTION: When Mod Podging portions of a napkin onto a stone, smaller is better. 

Tips & Ideas:

• Look for pretty napkins with small designs that would fit nicely on small stones
• Work carefully once Mod Podge is applied to the napkin design to avoid tearing
• My fingers worked best for smoothing the napkin after the Mod Podge was applied
• Once the saturated napkin has dried, you can sponge paint around the edges (like the 2 green stones pictured above on the lower right)
• For no-skill-required painting, Mod Podge the napkin design onto a stone and apply paint over it (using the design as a guide) so the rock will now look painted rather than Mod Podged
• Add a few paint strokes in strategic spots or use 3-D fabric paint strategically for added dimension and interest
• For a child's party, buy extra theme napkins and Mod Podge them onto stones as a party favor
  

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Painted Rock Nativity Sets - Ready for Spring

The joy of Spring and Easter is in the air and I was drawn to the yummy, pastel acrylic hues of "Basil Green" and "Summer Peach" for my latest unique nativity sets painted on rocks.

"Basil Green" and "Summer Peach" Acrylic Paint Purchased at Hobby Lobby

I was anxious to try these beautiful colors, so I primed some stones and went to work painting them.

Primed stones awaiting pastel paint

Here are my two latest nativity set creations using "lightweight" colors rather than the blues and browns I normally paint with.

Painted Rock Nativity Scene Figures Ready for Spring

Painted Stone Nativity Scene Figures in Spring Attire

Remember, painted rock nativity sets aren't just for Christmas. They can be displayed in unique ways year round as a piece of art.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Monkeying Around with Rocks and Paint

A friend paid me a visit over the holidays, fell in love with my painted rock chimp and gave him a new home.

Chimpanzee Painted on a Rock Finds a New Home

I decided to paint various types of monkey faces on rocks to replace the adopted chimpanzee.

Monkey Faces Painted on Rocks

What I love about rock painting is the versatility. I can go either cartoon-like or realistic, simple or detailed and it works for all types of critters.

Progression of Painted Monkey Rocks - Simple to Detailed

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

How to Paint a Santa Hat on Rocks and Stones

Just in time for the holidays I came across a rock that was perfect for painting this Santa hat.

Step 1:  If you look closely, you can see how I drew a line around the bottom third of the stone and added a circle towards the middle right.

Step 1 - Sketch simple hat design on stone

Step 2:  Next, I gave the stone a base coat in 2 different colors - yellow for the portions that will be painted red and a shade of blue for the sections that will be painted white. (To get the blue shade, I mixed medium blue with a touch of white and black acrylic paint).

Step 2 - Add base coat of blue and yellow acrylic paint

Tip:  I discovered that a binder clip was a great tool for holding the stone so I could paint both sides at once.

A binder clip is a great tool for holding a thin stone while painting

Step 3:  Then I painted over the yellow base coat on both sides of the stone with red acrylic paint.

Step 3 - Apply red paint over yellow on both sides of stone

Step 4:  I added a dab of black paint to the red to get a maroon color and outlined the blue circle, added a couple of arcs from the circle to the top of the hat, and added a line between the blue and red along the bottom.

Step 4: Outline and define

Step 5:  I achieved the fleecy texture by using a stiff, flat brush and dabbed on white paint, allowing some of the blue base coat to show through.

Step 5: Dab on white paint for the fleece

Idea 1:  You can stop here or add finishing touches such as sealer and glitter.

Three Variations - unsealed - sealed - glittered

Idea 2:  Here's another idea for your painted stone: Add a ribbon or pipe cleaner and your painted Santa hat rock has now become a Christmas tree ornament.

Painted Rock Santa Hat Ornaments

Idea 3:  You can personalize the Santa hat by adding a name or slogan to the bottom, white portion.

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


© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks