How to Turn Rocks Into Art

Rocks can initially appear as drab, useless hunks of earth and perhaps the least artistic thing around. But with a dab of paint and a dash of imagination, rocks can be transformed into amazing art. It’s fun to turn rocks into art, and useful, too. In addition to wowing your friends, art rocks are useful as doorstops, paperweights or even weapons as the case may be.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Rocks
• Paint pens
• Paint sealer

1. Choose a smooth rock that is not too small and not too porous. Wash with warm soapy water and dry. If you’re lazy, rinsing it without the soap is usually fine.
2. Examine the rock to see what design it calls to you. Oddly-shaped elongated rocks may want to be a lizard or a boot. Round rocks like being cat heads. A jagged rock may scream to be a skull.
3. Break out the paint pens. Readily available at most craft or variety stores, the pens should be permanent, water-resistant paint. Use as many or few colors as you like. Begin to draw.
4. Allow the drawing to dry sufficiently then spray with a sealer. The paint sealer gives the design longevity, sheen and is available where you got the paint markers or at hardware stores. Look in the spray paint section.

Tips & Warnings

• A rock that is too porous will ruin the paint markers and make for raggedy lines.
• A rock that is too small will just be, well, too small to draw an adequate design.
• Designing a series is extra fun. Perhaps you’d like a collection of rock eyeballs, or a tank full of rock fish.
• Display rocks en masse on window-sills or tabletops for a stunning effect.
• Art rocks make great impromptu gifts.
• Don’t be impatient. Spraying the sealer before the drawing is dry will cause the paint to run and your work ruined.
• Keep art rocks, and all other rocks, out of the mouths of dogs, cats and small children.
• Don’t throw the rock unless you absolutely have to.