Painted Rocks: Garden Critters Before & After

I was inspired by a true story to paint a mouse hitching a ride on the back of a frog. Note how each stone's shape and size were transformed into the frog and mouse. Read more about the frog and mouse painted rocks.

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Learn how I used "black glue" to paint a butterfly with a stained glass effect on this rock.

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I like to use the rock's natural shape and characteristics whenever possible as illustrated in this ladybug before and after photo.

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More before and after painted rocks

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

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Rock Painting Tip: How to Test Your Design Before Painting It on a Rock

I like to use a graphics painting program when I'm unsure how a design will fit onto a rock. 

First, I take a photo of my unpainted stone and upload it to the computer. (I planned to paint a cat on this stone but wasn't sure how to place the features.)

 

Next, I open the image in Microsoft Paint. (This is a simple graphics painting program included with Microsoft Windows.)

Tip: If you right-click on an image and choose "Edit" the image will automatically open in MS Paint.

I then use the brush feature to sketch a simple design onto the stone. 

I find it much easier to paint my rock once I've planned out the idea on the computer first. 

Painting a Ginger Tabby Cat

I use MS Paint for Windows 7, but any graphics painting program should work with this technique.

Useful Resources

• Microsoft Paint - Wikipedia
• How to Work with Paint in Windows 7 & 8
• How to Use Windows 7 MS Paint Part 1 (YouTube)
• How to Use Windows 7 MS Paint Part 2 (YouTube) 

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Before & After Painted Rocks & Stones: The Beatles

On February 9, 1964 The Beatles made their first live television appearance in America on the Ed Sullivan Show.

To get in the spirit of this 50th anniversary, I painted several Beatle-themed rocks.

Painted Rocks with a Sgt. Pepper Theme

Painted Rocks with a Yellow Submarine Theme

A Yellow Submarine Painted Rock

Useful Links

• The Beatles on Ed Sullivan 
• Various before & after painted rocks
• Garden Critters before & after painted rocks 
• Furry Pets before & after painted rocks
• Machines before & after painted stones
• Wild animals before & after painted stones 
• Things with wings before & after painted rocks
• Christmas Holiday before & after painted rocks 

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

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: People Painted on Rocks

I have a new Pinterest inspiration board. It features ideas and tips for painting people, figures, dolls and other types of folks on rocks

Ideas: People Painted Rocks

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Fifty years ago, The Beatles invaded America and this idea pinned to my "people" board inspired these painted rocks.

Inspiration for The Beatles Painted on Rocks

A simple, sumo wrestler was inspired by this idea which is also "pinned" to the people painted rocks board.

Inspiration for Sumo Wrestler Painted Rock

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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