How to Turn Rocks Into Art

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By Ryn Gargulinski
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An ordinary rock can be transformed into an extraordinary work of 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.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Rocks
Paint pens
Paint sealer

Step 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.
Step 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.
Step 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.
Step 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.

Comments

Rynski said

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on 3/28/2008 Why, thank you, BrokenGirl! Try a few painted rocks yourself, you'll be amazed!

BrokenGirl said

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on 3/27/2008 You are so creative Ryn!!!

Rynski said

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on 3/16/2008 Thanks! In addition to having about 200 painted rocks around my house and yard, I also sell them through the art project Art-o-Mat (www.artomat.org)...enjoy!