How to Paint Rocks

If you want to create a unique home decor, you can paint custom pictures and designs on rocks. It's not only a way to get the whole family involved in a craft project, but also makes rocks more attractive for display in your landscape or home.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Acrylic paint or tempera paint for children's projects
• Paintbrushes
• Clean and dry rock
• Clear spray varnish in a can

1. Decide which way you are going to work with painting rocks. You can start with a rock and decide what it inspires in you, or you can decide on a design a find the appropriate rock for it. Making this decision will help with the rest of your project.

2. Find pictures or patterns that would fit your need or your rock. For example, if you're a cat lover, there are many patterns for cats that are curled up. Make your design as difficult or simple as your talent allows.

3. Buy acrylic paints and sturdy paintbrushes for the job. If the project is a child's project, inexpensive tempera paint can be used in place of acrylic, but tempera isn't waterproof and needs a coat of clear varnish or acrylic spray.

4. Apply a coat of Gesso to your rock. Gesso is the medium that is used to coat canvas and will allow you to paint without using up a lot of extra paint and steps. It seals the surface and provides a smoother painting area.

5. Paint your rock once the Gesso is dry.

6. Choose a clear varnish spray to coat the completed painting.

Tips & Warnings

• If you choose, the rock's shape need not have anything to do with your subject and simply act like a extremely solid "non canvas" background.
• When you're painting the rock, make certain not to let the brush sit too long in the rinse. Clean it thoroughly and then let it dry flat to protect the bristles.