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Techniques on How to Paint Rocks

Rock painting allows crafters to adorn rocks for display and decorative purposes. You can paint small rocks to add a bit of whimsy and color to a backyard garden, for example, or use them as outdoor tic-tac-toe game pieces. Rocks from pebble to boulder size can be simply painted in a single color and lettered with a homeowner's last name or with inspirational phrases using paint pens. You can also "bring the outside in" and decorate rocks for indoor nature themed displays.

Things You'll Need

Rocks
Paint brush
Acrylic craft paint or latex paint
Pencil eraser
Chalk or permanent marker (optional)
Clear coat varnish
Super glue or craft tacky
Sequins, yarn, feathers, etc. (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Choose a rock with a desirable size, shape and smoothness. Rocks which are not too jagged are easier to paint. Small round rocks or riverbed rocks typically offer a good natural canvas for paint application.The porous nature of rocks may mean you will have to use more paint than you expected given that all of the little crevices in rocks will soak up your paint. You can use either acrylic craft paint or outdoor latex paint for your rock painting project.
- 2
  Paint a white or light-colored base coat on the rock and allow to dry for at least three hours. The base serves as a primer and provides a smooth surface for decorative painting. Applying a base coat before adding a top coat of decorative and creative flourishes allows the paint to adhere more smoothly to the rock. The top coat is any paint you add to adorn the rock. If you use latex paint as the base color you may need to apply two coats as the paint is thinner than acrylic.
- 3
  Decide on a design for the rock painting project. If you are making pet rocks or any type of animal face, for instance, use a pencil eraser dipped in paint to make the eyes and other facial features. If you are creating a design or text on the rock, sketch it out with permanent marker or chalk once the base coat dries. Chalk will be covered more easily by light-colored top coats, but may smear or wipe-off when you follow the pattern with your paintbrush.
- 4
  Add a protective clear coat to the finished rock painting project. You can buy a sealant or clear-coat in aerosol spray can or paintbrush versions. The clear coat will protect the painted rock from inclement weather and fading caused by exposure to direct sunlight. Even if your rocks will be displayed indoors, a clear coat is still advisable; the clear coat will give a shiny and finished look to the project and prevent the paint from chipping due to frequent handling.
- 5
  Add embellishments such as feathers, yarn or sequins with craft tacky or super glue. Make sure to do so only after the clear coat has dried thoroughly.

Rocks & Minerals