Friday, April 19, 2013

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

7 comments:

  1. Hi, really glad I found your great info on painting rocks! I'm wondering how you achieved that "Give thanks" part?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad you find my rock painting info helpful, Debra. The "give thanks" was on a napkin which I decoupaged onto the rock. Had I torn the napkin around the words instead of cutting it, the effect would have been cleaner.

      Delete
  2. Cindy!!! You rock!! (no pun intended!) LOVE the idea of Modge-Podging the "give thanks" onto the rock. SO happy I found your blog on Pinterest!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Debra & Mack - I'm so happy to learn you found my blog. Here's an additional tip for Mod Podging onto the stone: Tear around the edges of your paper rather than cutting and you'll have more "seamless" appearance.

      Delete
  3. Hi, I need to protect my painted rock that will be kept in doors. Would I use mod podge or a varnish or both as a sealer? Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Christine. My preference is to use Mod Podge first followed by a sealer. However, you can use the Mod Podge (it will get sticky in humidity) or varnish alone. Here's a blog post about my experience with sealers. http://paintingrocks.blogspot.com/2012/07/how-to-seal-and-protect-painted-rocks.html

      Delete
  4. Thank you. This is just what I needed to know!

    ReplyDelete