Easy Rock Mandalas with Posca Paint Pens

Rock mandalas are easy to create when you use Posca Paint pens.

(Inspiration for this project is from the Rock Art Handbook 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.
 
There are two types of mandalas you can create on rocks with Posca paint pens  - an outline mandala and a filled-in mandala.

As you can see in the photo below, the outline mandala on the left is the simpler of the two designs. You start in the center and add concentric circles of varying designs/dots/colors using the Posca paint pens.

Outline Mandala (L) - Filled-In Mandala (R)

The filled-in design on the right looks more complicated, however, Posca paint pens make the process easy - as I'll show you.

I started with a smooth, round stone which I base coated with white, acrylic paint.

A yellow dot in the center of the rock started my mandala. I then surrounded the yellow dot by adding petal and leaf shapes in pink, green, and purple using the Posca paint pens. (Note: my paint pens are the extra fine point tip.)

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 fun of mandalas is that you can choose any colors and designs you wish to surround your starting dot.

This is what my mandala rock looked like after I finished my design around the center dot using the Posca paint pens. It's a simple, colorful, filled-in mandala. I could have stopped here but the next step is what makes the rock mandala "pop."

I used my black, Sakura Pigma Micron Pen (03 tip) to outline the colorful shapes and add various doodles. In the photo below you can see where I started with the outlining in the center of the stone.

Observe how adding fine, black details (lines, dots, doodles) with the Pigma Micron pen adds a look of complexity to the mandala without being difficult to accomplish.

Reference Links
Rock Art Handbook by Samantha Sarles
Posca Paint Pens
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.

 
© 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

How to Find Rock Painting Ideas and Inspiration at the Used Book Store

When I visit a used book store, it's an exciting adventure to discover new ideas and inspiration for my painted rocks craft.

I haven't found a book about rock painting, but I have discovered several titles with projects and ideas easily adaptable to rock painting.

I'll show you a page from several books I purchased at the used book store and why I chose them.

Books found on my first trip to the used book store

A Crafter's Book of Angels by Deborah Morgenthal

A Crafter's Book of Angels by Deborah Morgenthal

This book contains Angel projects using fabric, paper mache, sculpting, paper, animals, florals, wood, tin, wire, and glass. I can use many of the patterns for these projects to paint Angels on rocks.

Tole-Painted Outdoor Projects by Areta Bingham

Tole-Painted Outdoor Projects by Areta Bingham

This book was a great find. Not only did it contain two rock painting projects, but it's a great resource for step-by-step Tole painting instructions.

Pencil Drawing by Gene Franks

Sketching a design onto the stone is an important first step of rock painting. I can always improve my drawing skills. How about you?

Pencil Drawing by Gene Franks

I discovered these wonderful books on my second excursion to the used book store. Learn what drew me to them.

Books discovered on my second visit to the used book store

Better Homes and Gardens Easy Bazaar Crafts by Joan Cravens

This classic from 1981 drew my attention because of a quilt pattern featuring cats in various poses.
 

Better Homes and Gardens Easy Bazaar Crafts by Joan Cravens

Hearts - The Art of Making Gifts of Love and Affection by Juliet Bawden

When I find a heart-shaped rock, I prefer to take advantage of the shape and paint a heart design. This colorful page drew my attention to this book about making heart gifts.

Hearts - The Art of Making Gifts of Love and Affection by Juliet Bawden

Painting Wild Life Textures Step by Step by Rod Lawrence

This is, by far, the best book I've "snagged" at the used book store - a step-by- step guide for painting fur, feathers, scales, eyes, ears, bills, muzzles, tails, feet, antlers, and horns.

Painting Wild Life Textures Step by Step by Rod Lawrence

Talk about being in the right place at the right time! While I was sitting on the floor, looking through the Arts & Crafts section, the clerk shelving the newly-arrived books asked if I'd be interested in this one.


Tips

• Wear comfortable clothing. I often sit on the floor while I flip through my possible book selections
• Visit shelves for the subjects you enjoy painting not just the arts and crafts section
• The subject areas (or shelves) where I have the most luck are:
• Animals
• Art & Artists 
• Arts & Crafts
• Childrens
• Gardening
• Get the most bang for your buck. Try to find books with several ideas you can adapt to rock painting
• How-to-draw and how-to-paint books are always a great resource
• Check with the staff. They may have seen something come in that has not been shelved yet 

(All of the titles featured in this post are available online if you can't find it at a used book store and you'd like to have a copy.)

DISCLAIMER: I may receive revenues from any product recommendations or ads on this site.  

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

Rock Painting Ideas: Hearts Painted on Stones

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

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For ideas and inspiration to paint on heart-shaped and triangular rocks and stones, I've started a new Pinterest board - Ideas: Hearts Painted Rocks.

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Here's a fun heart idea you can paint on a rock right now.

Click to learn more about this painted heart rock project

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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

How to Make Painted Stones and Pine Cones Critters

Create cute, whimsical critters using pine cones and painted stones.

Pine Cones and Stones Painted Critters

For the little owl below, I painted two round, smooth stones with orange, white and black acrylic for eyes and attached them with white glue to the pine cone. I painted the pine cone scale yellow for his beak.

For the little bird below, I painted two round stones with yellow and black for eyes and a triangular stone orange for the beak and attached them with white glue to the pine cone. Adding wispy feathers over the painted stone eyes added that something extra to give the critter a whimsical appearance.

Tips

• ALWAYS keep small stones away from young children. They are a choking hazard!
• How to clean and preserve pine cones
• Test the stone placement on different sides of the pine cone. Some sides work better than others
• Lids from containers can be used as a base to keep the pine cone and stone critters upright

• Cut out felt or craft foam pieces for feathers, wings, feet, etc.
• Instead of painted rocks, use googly eyes from the craft store.
• Use a pipe cleaner for feet.

Start collecting pine cones and small stones to make your own cute critters - anything goes, not just birds. It's a fun project for both children and adults.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Rock Painting Ideas: Food-Related Painted Rocks

Rocks painted to resemble food get laughs and look good enough to eat.

How to Paint No-Fat Rock Candies

Maybe these rock candies look too good!  

Always remember to keep food-related painted rocks away from small children.

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I have a new Pinterest board for food-related rock painting inspiration which I'll be adding to regularly - Ideas: Food Painted Rocks.

You can create all types of food with painted rocks and they make great gifts for any occasion!

Sushi Painted Rocks - Click to see more from the menu

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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

Christmas Ideas for Painted Rocks

Painted rocks are great gifts to make, give, and receive over the Christmas holidays.

Santa Ornaments Painted on Rocks

For Christmas rock painting inspiration, I have a new Pinterest board: Ideas: Christmas Painted Rocks.

Painted rocks can be more than ornaments, too. Larger rocks can be painted as indoor/outdoor holiday home and garden decor.

Large Painted Rock Santa with Detachable Head

Christmas will be here before you know it. Now is the time to start collecting rocks and stones (before they're covered by snow) and painting them.

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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

Rock Painting Idea: Animal Prints

A fun, easy rock painting project is animal prints.

Animal prints painted on stones

The easiest animal print to start with is a black and white cow. Just base coat a stone with white acrylic paint then add black splotches of various sizes and shapes.

A tiger print is easily painted also. Base coat the stone with orange acrylic paint then add long, black squiggly or wavy shapes. Make sure the black squiggles go in the same general direction. (Switch the orange paint to white and you'd have a zebra print.)

Click here to see a size comparison for this stone

A fun variation of an animal print is to paint hearts on a stone base coated with pale pink.

For an animal print that shines, use metallic craft paint.

Click here to see a size comparison for this stone

You can paint various sizes of paw prints on a stone too and stay within the animal print theme.

Click here to see a size comparison for this stone

With practice you can paint more detailed animal prints on stones.

Have fun and get creative with painted rock animal prints. Small stones can be used for paper weights and larger rocks make colorful door stops.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Rock Painting Ideas: Doodles, Patterns, Designs

I recently painted my first "Zen tangles" on stones and loved the process.

Learn how I painted these designs on stones

For repetitive-pattern drawing & painting inspiration, I have a new Pinterest board where I'll be collecting simple doodle, tangle and pattern ideas: Doodles, Tangles & Patterns.

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

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

How to Paint Designs on Rocks and Stones

Have you heard of tangle art, also known as Zen doodling? I first discovered it on Pinterest and it appeared very complicated.

Here's how I painted these simple, Zen doodle designs on rocks using three different techniques.

I used the book - "Zentangle® untangled" - to learn the process.

The book illustrated step by step how to draw repetitive patterns to create designs "that anyone can achieve regardless of age or artistic ability."

After practicing on paper, it was time to try it on smooth, flat stones.

My practice Zen doodles on paper

Zen doodle technique 1: I used a black Sharpie fine-tip, oil-based paint pen to draw the design directly on the stone.

I then used various hues of blue acrylic to paint the design carefully within the lines.

Zen doodle technique 2: I painted the stone turquoise blue first.

I drew my pattern onto the stone using a pencil, then outlined the design with a black Sharpie fine-tip, oil-based paint pen, and filled in the design with various shades of blue acrylic paint.

Zen doodle technique 3: I drew my design on an unpainted stone with pencil, then filled in the design with red and pink acrylic paint and added white dots. (I did not use the oil-based paint pen on this tangle art stone.)

Tips:

• Use smooth, flat stones
• For small stones, an extra-fine point Sharpie oil-based paint pen would probably be easier to use than a fine-point
• Some people use Micron pens to draw on stones. I tried the 02 size which did not work for me; the nib was too fine
• Don't worry about being perfect with your doodles
• Don't rush; a certain level of concentration is required  

Ideas:

• Experiment with color palettes using tangle art. As an added benefit you'll have a pretty, painted stone
• After painting a detailed rock, take a break and relax by painting some tangle art stones

Useful Links:

• Simple doodles, tangles and patterns Pinterest board
• Zentangle® untangled
• Zentangle® Basics
• About Zentangle® 

If you like to doodle and paint rocks, you'll love tangle art.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks