Painting Rock & Stone Animals, Nativity Sets & More: problem

Showing posts with label problem. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

How to Make Stones Stand Upright and Expand Your Rock Painting Possibilities - Photo Version

How to Make Stones Stand Upright and
Expand Your Rock Painting Possibilities -
Detailed Version

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Useful Links:
Stainable Wood Filler - 3.25 oz. tube
Stainable Wood Filler - 4 oz. tub
Stainable Wood Filler - 16 oz. tub

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.

How to Make Stones Stand Upright and Expand Your Rock Painting Possibilities

Problem: Many of my rock painting projects, especially nativity scene figures, require upright stones which are difficult to find.

Solution: Add wood filler to the stone's bottom to make a base.

How I Make Unpainted Rocks Stand Upright

Supplies Needed:

rocks (clean and dry)
newspaper to protect your work surface
stainable/paintable wood filler
disposable rubber gloves
wax paper for testing wood filler base
egg carton (or something similar for drying the wood filler)
medium sand paper
white acrylic paint

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.

Wood filler is a putty-like product available in tubes or tubs. Having worked with both, I like the small tub because it is easy to remove a glob for rocks and it isn't as wasteful as the larger tub which will eventually dry out if not used. It is important you use the paintable version. (If you want to experiment first, go ahead and get the tube which will be cheaper.)

Be sure to protect your work surface with newspaper. I also use wax paper to minimize the wood filler sticking to the newspaper. This is a messy project. Disposable gloves are very useful when working with wood filler.

Step 1

Choose a stone you'd like to stand upright and look at it from all angles to see if there is a semi-flat area you can mold wood filler onto so it will form a flat base.

You can add just a bit of wood filler or pile it on - whichever achieves the most stable base for the rock.

Alternatively, if you have a rounded stone, choose which side you'd like to use for a stable base.

Step 2

Wearing disposable gloves, start applying wood filler to the bottom of your stone, smoothing with your finger as you go.

You want to build up the bottom and smooth the edges so they blend nicely into the stone. (Slightly wetting your finger helps the final smoothing and blending process.)

To test the stone's ability to stand upright, I sit it on wax paper for just a second. Because the stone is heavier than the wet wood filler, if left standing too long the wood filler loses its shape and starts spreading.

Step 3

Place the stone(s) with the wet, wood filler base upside down in an egg carton or something similar so the shape is retained while drying. It will take 2-8 hours for the wood filler to dry.

Step 4

Once the wood filler has dried, use medium sandpaper to lightly sand where the wood filler meets the stone to get as smooth a surface as possible. The goal is for the wood filler to be a part of the stone. Now is the time to also sand off any wood filler accidentally applied to other areas of the stone.

Step 5

Apply white or other acrylic paint color of your choosing to the stones to cover the wood filler and prepare the surface for painting. Note how some of my stones are smoother than others where the wood filler has been applied.

Tips

A Popsicle stick works well for spreading the wood filler onto the rock.
So upright rocks are available when I need them, I like to add a wood filler base to many stones at one time rather than one here and there.
You can use wood filler to repair chipped or dented stones
If you plan to paint a bird on your upright stone, create a nest with the wood filler (since you're adding it anyway) and use a sharp tool to etch the twigs, leaves, etc.
If you want the rock to stand without using wood filler, grind the base just a little with an electrical grinder. (Thanks Suzi Chua for these last three tips.)

* * *

I painted these nativity scene figures using stones which were stabilized on the bottom with wood filler.

Wood filler instructions - photo only version

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

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

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Simple Rock Painting Idea for Polished Stones

My problem: Polished stones are difficult to paint because of the smooth, slick surface. (The paint doesn't want to adhere to the stone.)

My simple solution for some of the prettier, polished stones like the group pictured above:

Polished Stone Kitties

How to Paint Kitty Cats on Polished Stones

My supply of polished rocks included small stones with a perfect shape for a cat's face, as well as larger, colorful stones to use for the body.

Step 1: Choose a large and small stone that closely match in color. (Small triangular or round stones work well for the face; round or oval shapes work well for the body.)

Step 2: Glue the small stone onto the large stone using E-6000 glue (or similar craft adhesive).

Attach the face stone to the body with E-6000 glue

Step 3: After the glue has dried, use 3-D fabric paint in various colors to add simple details for the face and body.

3-D Fabric Paint

Add simple details to the face and body

Step 4: To keep the paint from flaking off the stone(s) you'll need to seal the rocks:

First coat: Mod Podge (an all-in-one glue, sealer and finish)
Second coat: Delta Ceramcoat Varnish (to avoid stickiness of Mod Podge in high humidity)

Sealer 1: Mod Podge - Sealer 2: Delta Ceramcoat Varnish

Update: I used the brush-on sealers pictured above for the cats pictured. Since the time of this post, I still use Mod Podge as a first coat, but I now prefer Americana Duraclear Satin Varnish for my second coat.