Painted Rocks: No Drawing Skills Required

I needed a break from detailed rock painting and created these colorful stones using an easy, no-drawing technique.

  
The only items required were a brush, some paint, masking tape, and, of course, stones.

I love to collect color palettes to inspire future rock painting projects. However, I often don't have the opportunity to try out the color combinations. (You can find beautiful color palettes here.) 

This simple, rock painting technique serves many purposes:

• Method for trying out new color palettes
• Easy project to undertake after time-consuming, detailed rock painting
• Use for stones with no definitive subject in mind
• Adds colorful stones to a give-away collection

You'll need:

• Smooth, flat stones
• Flat brush
• Masking tape
• Acrylic paint

Step 1: Use masking tape to section off a portion of the stone 

Step 2: Apply acrylic paint in your choice of color. 

Step 3: Once the paint is dry (you may need 1-3 coats), carefully remove the tape.

Repeat the process for each section you wish to cover with paint.

2 Sections have been completed

Geometric-painted stone with unpainted center section

Tips

• Smooth, flat stones work best

• Limit paint colors to 2-4 hues.
• Make sure the masking tape is firmly pressed onto the stone so no paint leaks underneath.
• Pull the tape off carefully after the paint has dried.
• You may need to touch up some areas when tape is pulled off.
• When painting between sections, a thin piece of masking tape can be used to section off the area. This will minimize the risk of removing paint from a dried section.

Ideas

• Embellish your geometric stones with dots, dashes, floral vines, etc.
• Leave a section of the stone unpainted
• Paint stones in flag colors of your country, sports team, etc.
• Use metallic, glitter, or other specialty paints for a different effect
• Mod Podge a saying, pretty flower, etc. onto the stone

No drawing skills. No problem. You can still have fun painting colorful rocks and stones.

Embellished geometric-painted stones

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

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.

Tips

• Before gluing the polished stones together, sand the area where they'll be attached. This will help the glue adhere better
• Apply the glue to each stone and wait approximately 2 minutes before attaching the stones together
• Press the stones together for a few minutes to make sure you have a good hold. (Be watchful of the stone sliding rather than adhering.)
• You can use a brush instead of the 3-D paint tip for applying the details. This may give you more control on smaller stones  

Ideas

• Tie a ribbon around the cat's neck
• Add a little bell on thin elastic around the kitty's neck
• Use this idea for painting other critters on polished stones
• Display your painted stone pets in little baskets or no-sew bedding

Painted Rock Pets

A PURRfect solution for polished stones!

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Easy, Year-Round Display for Painted Rock Nativity Sets

Christmas is over and you're saddened because the holiday decor is headed back to the closet.

Painted rock nativities can be left out year round because of their unique quality. It's more than a holiday decoration; it's a piece of art.

The easiest way to display your painted rock nativity set...

...simply place it in a bookcase or on a table.

Painted Rock Nativity Set Displayed in a Bookcase

These medium-sized painted rock nativity scene figures fit nicely with the colorful vase and ornate picture frame. The paint colors of this particular nativity set also blend well with the vase and the encyclopedia.

Why not keep the spirit of Christmas alive all year long. 

Coming next: Natural display ideas for nativity sets painted on rocks.

© 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

Glass Gems and Charger Plate Nativity Set Display Idea

This is another simple solution for a Christmas holiday nativity display.

Use glass vase gems with a charger plate...

...and a painted rock nativity set.

Painted Rock Nativity Set

Steps:

1. Position the Mary and Joseph nativity scene figures on an empty charger plate
2. Scatter the glass gems around Mary and Joseph
3. Set the Baby Jesus painted rock on top of the glass gems

Tips:

• Glass vase gems can be found in the floral department of craft stores, some dollar discount stores, online, etc.
• Glass vase gems are available in many different colors which you can coordinate with your nativity set and plate
• You can find charger plates online, at department stores and sometimes at thrift and dollar stores
• Gold, green, silver and red charger plates work well for Christmas holiday displays 

You can see an idea using a charger plate with fake greenery instead of glass gems on this post. 

You can see an idea using a charger plate with polished stones on this post. 

Create your own customized nativity scene display with any of these easy ideas.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Unique Display Idea Using a Painted Rock Nativity Set, Charger Plate and Stones

Instead of using a bulky stable that sheds pieces of moss and hay, try this simple solution for your Christmas holiday nativity display.

This easy idea uses polished river rocks...

...with a round charger plate...

...and a painted rock nativity set.

Joseph, Mary, Jesus Painted Rock Nativity Scene Figures

Steps:

1. Position the Mary and Joseph nativity scene figures on an empty charger plate
2. Scatter the river stones around Mary and Joseph
3. Set the Baby Jesus painted rock on top of the stones

Unique, Customized Nativity Set Display

Tips:

• River stones can be found in the floral department of craft stores, some dollar discount stores, online, etc.
• River rocks are available in different colors which you can coordinate with your nativity set and plate
• You can find charger plates online, at department stores and sometimes at thrift and dollar stores
• Gold, green, silver and red charger plates work well for Christmas holiday displays 

You can see a similar idea using a charger plate with fake greenery instead of stones on this post.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Unique Display Idea for Painted Rock Nativity Sets - A Red Charger Plate

Are you looking for a simple, economical way to display your painted rock nativity set for the holidays? 

This idea couldn't be simpler and, unlike traditional nativity stables, it's easily moved from a coffee table to a dining table.

Supplies Needed:

• Jesus, Mary & Joseph painted rock nativity scene figures
• Charger plate
• Fake greenery - poinsettias, holly, pine, etc.

I used a shiny, red, plastic (Melamine) charger plate. Plastic is a perfect choice for use with painted rocks to lessen any chance of plate breakage.

A shiny, red, plastic, charger plate

Tip: You can find inexpensive charger plates at thrift stores and dollar discount stores. Silver, gold, and green are good color choices also.


Place your painted rock nativity set on the plate and arrange the greenery of your choice around the nativity scene figures.

A pretty way to display your painted rock nativity set

Tip: If you have holiday floral decorations that have seen better days, remove a few of the nicer pieces and use them for your nativity set plate display. 


There you go - a simple, unique, festive, inexpensive idea for displaying painted rock nativity sets.

Display the nativity in a way which is uniquely you depending on the plate and greenery you select. 

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Free Rock Painting Lesson - Simple Owls

Painted owl rocks are very popular and this easy, free project has unlimited possibilities.

I painted this owl in 10 minutes using this tutorial.

My painted rock owl

I used 3-D fabric paint for the whites of the owl's eyes

Metallic purple & silver craft paint was used for this owl

Other ideas for painting these rock owls:

• vary the colors
• outline the feathers and body with black or a darker color
• fill in the beak with yellow
• instead of circles on the chest, try another design
• vary the size of the eyes
• attach magnets to small stones

My owl variations

This project is simple enough for children and beginning rock painters and is a great idea when you need quick, home-made painted rock gifts.


© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Holiday Gifts of Painted Rocks

The holidays are quickly approaching and here's a simple idea for unique, one-of-a-kind ornaments and gifts.

By adding a pretty ribbon to those small painted stones and rocks you've been painting, you've now converted your painted stone into a holiday ornament for tree-trimming or a small present for gift giving.

 Santa face painted rocks transformed into ornaments

Nativity set Baby Jesus transformed into a tree ornament

I've used holiday-themed painted rocks for my ornaments, however, any small painted stones would be a great gift ornament for someone.
 
Just glue the ribbon to the back of the stone. To make it look more finished, you can cover the spot where the ribbon is attached with fabric or wrapping paper and Mod Podge it.


Remember to keep the weight of the stone in mind when choosing to convert them into ornaments. You don't want the tree to topple over.


© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

An Alphabet Rock Painting Project for Kids

Summer vacation is just around the corner and to brighten up their summer days, read about a fun, simple, educational rock painting project for your kids posted by Jodi Kahn on May, 2, 2012 at dashrecipes.com.

Some additional ideas inspired by Jodi's post for this alphabet painted rocks project are:

• Children can paint the alphabet freehand or get a little help with stencils or stickers.


• Ask the children to search for and collect 26 small, smooth stones while they're at the playground, grandma's, in the backyard, etc. but don't tell them why they're collecting the stones. Once they have enough rocks for each letter of the alphabet, bring out the paint, explain the project, and let them get creative

If you or the kids need additional inspiration, I recommend Lettering in Crazy, Cool, Quirky Style. 

Not only is this book useful for painting alphabet rocks during the summer, but when school starts again, your child can give their reports a distinctive appearance using the tools and ideas in this lettering kit. This book also includes: 5 plastic stencil pages, 8 colored pencils with double-points (16 colors!), 4 marker pens, 1 mechanical pencil, 50 sheets of practice paper, 2 sheets of sticker paper, pencil sharpener, an eraser, and a reusable pencil pouch.

Summertime is for fun and learning can be fun when combined with art and nature.

Hand Painted Rocks Become Stony Faces

I recently had some fun painting simple facial features on various sizes of rocks and stones. I called my new creation Stony Face.

Stony Face Painted on Rocks

I then had an idea and even more fun rearranging the eye and mouth rocks I painted to create five additional funny Stony Faces.

5 Different Stony Faces from 1 Set of Painted Rocks

Then I was inspired to paint more detailed mouths on some rocks and ended up with these LOL rocks that I could use with the basic Stony Face from my earlier project.

LOL Painted Rocks for Stony Face

Finally, I decided to record all the steps I took to create the basic Stony Face, added 3 more simple eye and mouth patterns, and made a Stony Face rock painting how-to guide.

How to Paint a Stony Face on Rocks

The Stony Face craft project is easy enough for beginner rock painters. Simple, step-by-step instructions, illustrations and photos guide you in selecting the rocks, drawing and painting the mouth and eyes, and arranging your painted rocks into funny faces. The 4 basic mouth patterns and 4 simple eye patterns can be combined to create over 100 unique, one-of-a-kind Stony Faces.

This is an easy, fun, inexpensive, craft project for both kids and adults. It's amazing how a little acrylic paint and imagination can bring ordinary rocks to life.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks