Pretty Painting Ideas to Make you a Rock Star

These are the last set of rocks I painted over the Summer using "Rock Art! Painting and Crafting with the Humble Pebble" by Denise Scicluna as my inspiration.

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As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Quaint heart designs will transform cold stones into heart-warming treasures.

Love Hearts: inspired by "Rock Art!" by Denise Scicluna

I love these charming folksy designs painted on pebbles.

Get Folksy: inspired by "Rock Art!" by Denise Scicluna

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And this colorful, folksy design is my favorite!

Get Folksy: inspired by "Rock Art!" by Denise Scicluna

You don't have to paint a detailed butterfly to create a pretty butterfly on rocks.

Flutter By Butterfly: inspired by "Rock Art!" by Denise Scicluna

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As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

If ...

You have ever:

• Wanted to try your hand at rock painting, or
• Thought that making art is not for you, or
• Needed fun projects for kids and grandkids, or
• Searched for easy art therapy projects for both children and adults, or
• Been at a loss for creative inspiration...

Then...

"Rock Art! Painting and Crafting with the Humble Pebble" by Denise Scicluna is the perfect resource for you!

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 is how "Rock Art!" inspired me over the Summer.

 
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.

Useful Links

• "Rock Art! Painting and Crafting with the Humble Pebble"
• 5 imaginative rock painting ideas from "Rock Art!"
• 5 fun rock painting ideas from "Rock Art!"
• 5 creative rock painting ideas from "Rock Art!"
• 5 easy and colorful ideas from "Rock Art!" 
• A Rock Painting Book Perfect for Beginners (Blog Post of May 19, 2015) 

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks 

5 Fun Rock Painting Ideas

I painted these 5 fun projects and used "Rock Art! Painting and Crafting with the Humble Pebble" by Denise Scicluna as inspiration.

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.

Metallic paint makes these rock stars shine.

Rock Stars: inspired by "Rock Art!" by Denise Scicluna

Simple, celestial moons were painted on oval pebbles.

The Man in the Moon: inspired by "Rock Art!" by Denise Scicluna

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.

Simple sun designs are painted on various rock shapes.

Sunny Side Up: inspired by "Rock Art!" by Denise Scicluna

Triangle designs contrast with oval stones or follow the form of a triangular rock.

 

Try Triangles: inspired by "Rock Art!" by Denise Scicluna

  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.

Two flat, medium-sized rocks were the perfect shape for these colorful, humble abodes.

Rocky Road: inspired by "Rock Art!" by Denise Scicluna

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.

Useful Links

• "Rock Art! Painting and Crafting with the Humble Pebble"
• Pretty rock painting ideas from "Rock Art!"
• 5 imaginative rock painting ideas from "Rock Art!"
• 5 creative rock painting ideas from "Rock Art!"
• 5 easy and colorful ideas from "Rock Art!" 
• A Rock Painting Book Perfect for Beginners (Blog Post of May 19, 2015) 

 
© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks 

5 Creative Rock Painting Ideas

I just can't stop painting the projects in "Rock Art! Painting and Crafting with the Humble Pebble" by Denise Scicluna.

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.

What could be simpler than white paint and repetitive strokes like these?

Keep It Simple: inspired by "Rock Art!" by Denise Scicluna

I love bright colors and this simple, colorful pop art design is one of my favorites from the book. The color and design possibilities are endless.

Color Pops: inspired by "Rock Art!" by Denise Scicluna

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As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Another favorite of mine are these decorative, stylized flowers painted with only 2 colors.

Flower Power: inspired by "Rock Art!" by Denise Scicluna

I used both smooth and pitted stones for stylized, leaf-inspired painted rocks.

Fall Leaves: inspired by "Rock Art!" by Denise Scicluna

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.

A study in opposites - lightweight feathers painted on heavy stones. 

Light as a Feather: inspired by "Rock Art!" by Denise Scicluna

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.

Useful Links

• "Rock Art! Painting and Crafting with the Humble Pebble"
• Pretty rock painting ideas from "Rock Art!"
• 5 imaginative rock painting ideas from "Rock Art"
• 5 fun ideas from "Rock Art!"
• 5 easy and colorful ideas from "Rock Art!" 
• A Rock Painting Book Perfect for Beginners (Blog Post of May 19, 2015) 

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks 

5 Easy and Colorful Rock Painting Ideas

In my last post, I recommended a rock painting book for beginners called "Rock Art!" by Denise Scicluna.

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.

I found the projects so enjoyable (even for an experienced rock painter like myself), that I painted these 5 sets of colorful pebbles using the book as inspiration.

Color, pebble shape, and line drawings transform stones into a simple fruit combo.

Fruit Salad: inspired by "Rock Art!" by Denise Scicluna

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As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Who can resist quirky owls painted on stones?

 Wise Owls: inspired by "Rock Art!" by Denise Scicluna

Criss-cross lines and dots can be painted on any shape of rock. Mix up the colors and designs for your own pebble crossing.

Let's Get Linear: inspired by "Rock Art!" by Denise Scicluna

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.

Your imagination can run wild with painted mushroom rocks.

Mushrooms: inspired by "Rock Art!" by Denise Scicluna

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.

The color and design possibilities are endless for painting fish fins and scales on rocks.

Fish Out of Water: inspired by "Rock Art!" by Denise Scicluna

Useful Links

• 5 Imaginative Rock Painting Ideas from "Rock Art"
• 5 Creative Rock Painting Ideas from "Rock Art!"
• 5 Fun Rock Painting Ideas from "Rock Art!" 
• Pretty rock painting ideas from "Rock Art!"
• A Rock Painting Book Perfect for Beginners (Blog Post of May 19, 2015)
• "Rock Art! Painting and Crafting with the Humble Pebble" by Denise Scicluna

 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

A Rock Painting Book Perfect for Beginners

If ...

You have ever:

• Wanted to try your hand at rock painting, or 
• Thought that making art is not for you, or 
• Needed fun projects for kids and grandkids, or
• Searched for easy art therapy projects for both children and adults, or
• Been at a loss for creative inspiration...

Then...

"Rock Art! Painting and Crafting with the Humble Pebble" by Denise Scicluna is the perfect resource for you!

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 recently-published rock painting book gives tips for getting started such as:

• Where to find rocks
• What to look for in a rock
• How to find inspiration
• Rock painting tools and supplies
• Preparation
• Finishing touches
• How to use your painted rocks

And includes:

• 40 Simple step-by-step projects with several variations
• 250 full-color illustrations

I'm not a newbie to rock painting but I found the projects in this book helpful for practicing my line strokes. And, it was a fun way to decompress between my detailed painted rock projects.

Here's a sample of 5 projects I painted using "Rock Art!" as inspiration:

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.

At the Zoo

Bicycle Wheels

Under the Sea

Rock Garden

Into the Woods

I had so much fun painting these simple and colorful rocks using "Rock Art!" as inspiration, I'm going to paint more!

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.

Useful Links

• "Rock Art! Painting and Crafting with the Humble Pebble"
• See 5 easy and colorful ideas from "Rock Art!" 
• See 5 creative ideas from "Rock Art!"
• See 5 fun rock painting ideas from "Rock Art!" 
• See 5 imaginative rock painting ideas from "Rock Art!" 
• See pretty rock painting ideas from "Rock Art!" 

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks 

Before & After Painted Rocks and Stones: Furry Pets

Both smooth and pitted rocks come alive when painted as furry pets. 


Two, smooth elongated rocks were the perfect shape for painting a pair of ferrets.

See these ferrets and more painted rock pets on Facebook

The shape of this large, smooth rock allowed me to nicely place a dog and two puppies.

Puppy Love

I used pitted rocks for this cat and kitten. Notice how the painted fur strokes camouflage the pits.

Sleeping Cats

For this ginger kitty, I used an unusually-shaped rock and attached two smaller pebbles for the paws.

Ginger Tabby Hand-Painted Rock

See more before and after painted rocks:

• Various
• Beatles
• Garden Critters
• Machines 
• Wild Animals  
• Things with Wings
• Christmas Holiday 

 © 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

Unpainted Rocks, Stones, Pebbles - How to Have a Pile Ready for Painting

Having a difficult time locating rocks to paint? 

Why not enlist the help of friends and relatives who can send you a small, medium or large box of stones. 

Unpainted Beach Stones Shipped to Colorado

A generous and thoughtful friend in Delaware gifted me with this box of beautiful, unpainted beach pebbles. It was shipped to me using a small USPS Priority Mail flat rate box.  

Beach pebbles (a wonderful type of stone on which to paint) are unavailable to me in land-locked, southeast Colorado. I was now able to gift my Delaware friend with painted rocks as well as add several to my supply of unpainted stones.

Gifts that Keep On Giving

U.S. Postal Service flat rate boxes are ideal for rock painters because the weight limit is generous and the flat price very reasonable. (The small box of beach stones shipped from Delaware to Colorado was only $5.35.)

To learn about the various flat rate box sizes, costs, weight limits, etc. visit the USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate page. (Update: There were price increases on January 27, 2013, however this is still a good deal.)

Get inspired - visit Rock Painting Ideas & Helps on Pinterest.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Can't Find Rocks to Paint?

Some of us have an easier time finding rocks to paint than others and now that winter weather is setting in, who wants to scrounge around outdoors for stones?


Tip: Visit the Garden Department of your local stores

• Walmart
• Home Depot
• Lowes
• etc. 

to see if they have any landscaping pebbles, stones, or rocks they want to get rid of.


On a recent trip to my local Walmart, I discovered many torn bags of landscaping stones stacked near the Garden Center. When I inquired about them, I was told the torn bags were being returned for a credit, however, if I wished to purchase some, I could do so for 1/2 price.

Tip: Try to negotiate for a discount if you live in an area where winter is setting in and landscaping is the last thing on a homeowner's mind. 


These decorative, landscaping stones are the type of rocks which make my eyes light up:

• Smooth
• Unpolished
• 2-3 inches in size
• Various shapes

Here's just a small portion from the bag I purchased which have been washed and set out to dry.

Landscaping stones purchased for a discount at Walmart

Tip: Be aware that polished stones found in craft stores are pretty, however, paint doesn't adhere to them easily. It may require sanding, priming, and a few coats of paint if you use these type of store-bought pebbles.


Now I have a large supply of rocks, stones and pebbles to keep me busy painting during the winter while I'm stuck indoors.


Idea: If I paint rock garden decor, perhaps Spring will be here before I know it.


© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks