How To Decor Makeup Brushes With Stones

I enjoy writing almost creative and crafty things—the globe can never have plenty pretty things to await at!

See Your New Hobby: Painting on Rocks!

I have recently discovered the enjoyable craft of decorating stones. What's non to like? Your canvas is free! Okay, maybe it'south not so complimentary if you actually purchase a bag of stones from Michael's Crafts. But that'southward notwithstanding okay. Stones are cheap no affair what! And if you take little kids and you want a projection for a rainy day, a bag of Michael'due south stones can exist your all-time friend!

What can you practice with your finished, painted stones? Lots of things!

Make them into magnets.
Decorate your garden.
Create seasonal decorations.
Unleash your inner artist and create a mini masterpiece. (And if yous brand a mistake? It'southward okay. But go another stone!)
Have arts and crafts time with the kids (indoors or outside.)
Make paperweights or gifts . . . or requite paperweights as gifts. ( I call back creating decorated stones for gifts is a great idea. Kids beloved to make them, and grandparents dearest to get them.)
Make your very own pet stone (with google optics, bows, or pilus fastened)
Write inspirational messages on them.
Sell your creations! If you lot get good enough, that is . . . at that place are plenty of Etsy shops that feature artsy stones for sale.
A million other things I haven't thought of nevertheless!

Check out these super cute and shiny monster magnets sold on Etsy!

Cheque out these super cute and shiny monster magnets sold on Etsy!

How to Paint Rocks Step-by-Step

First, of form, you need to find the perfect stone. Look for smooth rounded stones. River stones are all-time, or stones institute on the beach. If you accept a sure design in mind, like a cat, an owl, or a caterpillar, be on the scout for the right shape stone to exist your canvass. Searching for but the perfect stone is function of the fun!
If yous don't have fourth dimension to wander around looking for just the perfect stone, you can march on downwards to Michael's Crafts or another nearby arts and crafts store. Michael's has bags of natural stones that come in modest, large, dark or lite colors then you lot can have your choice!
If you're picking upwardly your stones from female parent nature, be sure you're allowed to take the stones. National and state parks prohibit their removal.
If you lot picked up your sheet from the outdoors, you'll want to make sure it'due south nice and make clean. Wash it off with some warm water and lather and pat information technology dry. You could even scrub it with an one-time toothbrush.
Some stones take rough patches on them that will make painting a little more hard. You can sand it down with sandpaper, starting with 100 dust and moving to 150 and 220 grit until the patch is gone.
At this stage, y'all're ready to draw your pattern onto the stone. It might be adept to try practicing your design on a piece of paper beforehand to perfect it. When you actually draw your picture onto the rock, you tin utilize a pencil, chalk, or soapstone—or even an ultra-fine Sharpie marking which offers a lot of control and the ability to draw pocket-sized details.
Now you're reading to showtime painting! Be patient and motion from the biggest parts of the design to the smallest, letting each coat dry earlier moving on. Yous can apply a hairdryer to dry the paint faster.
Once you've finished painting your pattern, information technology's time to seal it! Employ a sealer and add a coat or ii to make sure your art lasts for a long time. See beneath for some notes on what kind of supplies to utilize.

Choosing the Right Supplies

Here are some other supplies to accept on hand:

Paints: All kinds of craft, water-based, or acrylic paints work well for rocks. 1 downside of acrylics is that they tend to exist difficult to wash out of clothes, so be conscientious when using them. Clothing a smock and put down something to protect the painting surface. If you're painting with very immature children, tempera paint is the way to go because it washes out much easier (though the colors aren't every bit vivid). If your rocks volition exist living outside, make certain to use patio paint or outdoor-friendly pigment. Test out your paint on newspaper before painting your rock to make sure you lot don't accept any surprises with consistency or color.
Fine-point markers: These are corking for adding details that can be tricky to do with brushes, specially on smaller stones. Markers, in full general, can be fun to use for "painting rocks."
Mark paints: These are perfect if you similar the control of a marking just the look of a paint. Both markers and marker paints come in cool metal colors, too!
Modern Podge or other sealer: Y'all'll want to use a sealer to brand sure your creations last for a long time. If you'll be using your finished production indoors, you lot can use an acrylic spray that will brand the colors brighter and glossier. You'll need to utilise it exterior, all the same, and only under adult supervision. For rock fine art that volition exist outdoors, you should utilize a spar urethane sealer which volition prevent cracking and habiliment. Modge Podge is likewise a good option for indoor art.
Magnet backings: For if you want to utilise your finished stones as magnets! Merely attach magnet circle to the back. When making magnets, exist sure to apply stones that are not too big or too thick, or you will need a super-strong magnet to keep your rock from sliding downward the fridge!
Paper or other protective covering for your table.
Paint palette: You tin can either purchase a paint palette or make one out of a paper plate, a piece of paper-thin covered in foil, or something like. If you lot're going to be painting over a long period of time, yous might want to invest in making or purchasing a wet palette, which will keep your paints wet for longer.
Paintbrushes: Get some stiff, inexpensive brushes with wooden handles in a wide variety of sizes. The rock'due south surface will chop-chop wear brushes out, making expensive brushes a waste material. Wide, flat brushes will be good for parts of your design that are bigger, and smaller, pointed ones will be proficient for adding details similar faces or whiskers (cute!). Look for brushes with long bristles that can hold a lot of paint.
Google eyes: Eyes are a must for those pet rock and rock monsters you lot plan to make! Also, whatever other mixed media that yous want to use in your art.
Gum: If you're attaching stones to each other or some kind of media to the stones, y'all'll need some glue. Elmer'due south can work only fine. Hot glue guns tin can as well exercise, but if you want your rock to last for a long time outside, you lot should ask well-nigh an outdoor-safe glue.

Rocking Painting FAQs

What kind of paint is best?

Bright acrylic paints work well. And when I say bright, I mean Brilliant! Trust me, this makes the divergence! Do you want to create a truly remarkable and dynamic stone? Or just a sort of "blah" one? I idea so! Martha Stewart offers acrylic paints in vivid, dynamic hues. If yous don't take bright paints, you can ever add white to your regular colors to lighten and brighten them up.

How should I get-go painting?

You can always outline your picture with a fine-point marker, so make full in with regular paint. If you really want to "cheat," you lot can utilise highlighter markers and tell people information technology's paint. Highlighters volition work well on a very calorie-free-colored stone. Shhh . . . you didn't hear information technology here)! Both markers and mark paints come in cool metal colors, too! Using a argent marker on a night rock creates an interesting look. Personally, I prefer light color stones with bright color paint.

Coil to Continue

Read More From Feltmagnet

What almost a background?

If you want a painted background on your stone, be certain to employ ii coats of pigment, assuasive the first glaze to dry completely earlier adding the second. Then you lot tin beginning your actual "film" after the second glaze of pigment dries. You must have patience! Picayune kids don't, of course, so you can just let them go alee and start painting on the stone.

Some people similar to pigment a white background on a dark rock for a really cool look. A black background also creates a very interesting look. Only exist sure to pigment your picture on top with a bright color, such as brilliant yellow.

What else can I use as well paint?

You lot tin utilize mixed media on your rock by gluing on material, mag cut-outs, and sequins. You can even stick on some stickers!

What should I draw or paint on my rock?

The possibilities are limitless! Animals are popular, such as cats, owls, fish, birds, ladybugs, butterflies and dragonflies, turtles, caterpillars, frogs, flowers, and suns. At that place are also holiday designs such as snowmen and pumpkins, hearts for Valentine's Twenty-four hour period, or why non plough an egg-shaped rock into a pretty decorated egg for Easter?

Here'due south an thought for Valentine'due south Day: Brand that special someone a pet rock with a middle painted on the side and a Valentine that says, "YOU Rock!"

Nigh importantly, have fun! This is art, so remember there are no limits to what you tin can practice. Get out there and create!

P.S. The video below is really beautiful and fascinating. Maybe you'll become some ideas from information technology!

Fe cabanig on July 18, 2020:

I honey doing rock painting

And i have some of my craft

Audrey Hunt from Pahrump NV on July 04, 2020:

Thanks for these super ideas. I love rock painting. Keeps me sane!

Rebecca Pulos on September 28, 2019:

I do this daily and like to put them effectually Windsor for others to notice in hopes to make someone smiling an feel good when there found :) #WindsorRocks :)

Kim Corrick on November 16, 2018:

I haven't had success on painting on rocks. I desire to have a adequately detailed rock with fine lettering. Any suggestions? As well, after I finished the rocks which actually didn't expect so good, I attempted to spray with acrylic and the color ran all over. Need help! I want to have a Christmas campaign painting and distributing rocks just I gotta effigy this out. Need help!

Charlie woodhams on October 27, 2018:

Cant expect to get started

Gail Hedlund on October 10, 2018:

Here locally we accept a rock "hunting" group. People pigment rocks, place them in public places. Once they are found, it'south posted on Facebook. Instance: Butte Canton Rocks, Paradise Rocks

br14n on Apr 06, 2018:

Will be using ideas with my 8 yr old grand daughters, what would the all-time adhesive or fixing compound would be best use to stick stones together

Nan on February 24, 2018:

I take so many rocks, just from our property ! Most are very rough, all different kinds, none that are smooth. What recommendations tin can yous give on painting these rocks ??

Derrick on December 29, 2017:

That was very entertaining and educational.

Thank you!

Jamie Hughes on November 01, 2017:

I came across your website and actually liked what I saw. I am in the progress of setting up a website to sell hand craft supplies, ideas and patterns. Does your store dropship and if then what policy practise you accept with it? I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Chez on October 26, 2017:

Going to give this a go with my granddaughters tomorrow! :)

rok on Oct 02, 2017:

my fave hobby!!

forrest on September 26, 2017:

I was painting rocks before I seen them posted my friends idea I had Lost information technology.

Dipen Das on September 11, 2017:

Volition you

Tell me what colour I should I use on stones to keep them inside an aquarium.

Shivani paintal on August 31, 2017:

Cheers and so much..your article on painting stones is of great help..beautifully explained..all doubts got cleared..thank you once again

Sandy on August 13, 2017:

Great info! I am putting together the crafts an activities for the kiddos at our neighborhood picnic. Volition take all ages, and then thinking stickers for the really piddling kiddos might work all-time. If they desire to use it outside (the hidden rocks are big in our local parks correct at present). I am seeing Modpodge, Articulate Acrylic Paint and Elmers followed by one or the other for paints and markers. Would information technology be the same for stickers or would y'all propose something unlike? Cheers : )

GLee on Baronial 10, 2017:

Groovy article! It had ALL the information I needed to get started AND some slap-up ideas/samples likewise! Now I tin go shop for my paints, since I already accept a collection of rocks! Thank you!

Cee on August 01, 2017:

Can't wait to start painting.. and then inspirational. Thanks

sunflowergirlntx on July 29, 2017:

Tin can yous recommend the all-time type of paint that stands out on the rocks that won't fade with the weather?

Jan on June xi, 2017:

Love all the slap-up ideas. ,, is there whatever paint that shines in the dark? Would like to paint our name on a stone in front of our house

frisby.jacqueline@gmail.com on June 11, 2017:

This was really amazing savor information technology and tin can wait to try it...... Thanks

Deborah Nessmith from Florida on June 01, 2017:

Great postal service. For the summer, me and my kids are going to paint rocks for Tallahassee Rocks. My friend got started with it and my kids want to paint, hide and find other rocks. I'm inspired past paintings I saw and can't expect to get started.

Samantha Louise Allen on June 01, 2017:

Hello what kind of paint can y'all put on the stones and the pigment that don't come off the stones please help me

JoAnn on May fourteen, 2017:

I am new to rock painting and dear it. I accept a lung problem which prohibits me from using spray sealers. I would like to,use out door modge podge, just am finding that 3 days subsequently applying it still has a tacky feeling to information technology. Do yous have any recommendations?

Thanks

Mckayla on May 08, 2017:

How do pigment them in steps please

Touseef on May 06, 2017:

Plz can any 1 told me what is the proper name of that art painting or drawing on stones called?

Cheryl on April 28, 2017:

Your blog was very informative and encouraging. Thank you

sabina on April 20, 2017:

I am the author of the 2nd and 9th Rock. Information technology is very incorrect non to signal the source of the images! I asked the writer of this article to write the names of the artists who painted these stones, only I did not receive an answer.

https://www.etsy.com/it/shop/sabiesabi?ref=hdr_sho...

Tanya on April 16, 2017:

Simply beautiful!

iamradiantrose on March 23, 2017:

Love your hub! I've been collecting smoothen stones to paint so your hub is very timely! I'm all inspired to get out my paints. Thanks for a great hub.

Lori on March 14, 2017:

You can hide them in your town so people tin find them.

Gayle on January 24, 2017:

Inspirational. Slap-up for telling family stories and children'south favourite stories. Put into a handbasket or tray with fluffy fabric children learn not bad skills. Importantly communicating, listening and turn - taking. Dearest it.

Pat on Jan 22, 2017:

Very inspiring videos

Delina Youngs on January 08, 2017:

Beautiful piece of work ! What a gift and treasure you have !

rocky on January 01, 2017:

i have been painting rocks for about a year now. Dearest IT!!! Later I have near a dozen or and so, I accept them to the walking path at the lake and set them out for other people to run across them. Once in a while I will paint a few equally houses, make a niggling boondocks and set it out . I would love to see the face of the people that observe them. Hope it makes them smile.

DrDokatz on November twenty, 2016:

I only finished this one: http://puu.sh/spoDn/ef7b3ebea4.jpg

Mary on July 24, 2016:

Using acrylic paint on polish stones and tin't get the brush strokes out. They look atrocious. Take nether coated them and still have brush strokes. What can I practice?

knewton@usc.edu on July 13, 2016:

Hullo, I am about to undertake this project. I bought a huge bag of 3-5" smooth river stones at a local masonry store for $15! I am planning to paint the names of each of my 35 fruit trees on the rocks and leave them in the trench at the base of the tree. These stones will accept a beating with weather. What would someone experienced with this suggest as the best sealer for a long life? Cheers!! Dearest all the comments/photos/ideas/inspiration!

JF Kara on July 07, 2016:

I merely love your rocks. I received a Happy Birthday Greeting Rock last yr with a handwritten bulletin on the back. I decided to decorate the forepart of the stone using a fine Sharpie. Do I need to add a sealer?

Paula on May 23, 2016:

This isn't a painting: it is a masterpiece!!

Jo Schram on Apr 22, 2016:

Howdy i take painted rocks in the past and got my stones free from the shores of Lake Michigan when i lived in Illinois. Now i live in CA and dont have access to whatever stones and cant see to notice a place that sells them. Would y'all have any thought on where to buy them at a reasonable cost as my budget is limited. you lot tin let me know at Filetofsoulart@aol.com... thanks and so much as i am actually in demand of them for a project. Thank you and so much again jo

Kelly from New Jersey on April 11, 2016:

These are Amazing. Such talent thank you lot for sharing. Brings me back to my days equally a child where painting on rocks and seashells were such an enjoyment. I endeavor and become my kids to exercise things like this, with the technical age we are in I try everything any anything to pry kids away from their computers, phones and video games......

NiaG from Louisville, KY on March 23, 2016:

Great article! Dear the idea of rock painting. May requite it a shot ane of these days. Cheers for the tips!

roob on March 17, 2016:

i have ever wanted to paint rocks but never really inspired to except one time with my mom. We will have to effort it again! Smashing read... or look.

Fay Favored from The states on March 10, 2016:

I really similar this idea, and your designs are and so clever. The girl hiding in the rock is my favorite. Pinned & shared!

KarenCookieJar on January 21, 2016:

I've done this once and really enjoyed it, but the stones were stolen out of my garden in the front yard!

Sabina from Paris on Oct 22, 2015:

it's looks like very intresting and i want to endeavour it

Kristen Howe from Northeast Ohio on Oct 16, 2015:

This rocks--no pun intended. I honey this idea. Two thumbs up! Great hub!

Morayma Natali Rodriguez Rivera from Lehigh Acers, Florida on October 15, 2015:

This is so cute! I dear your designs! This is a wonderful thought for a class project too!

Colin Garrow from Inverbervie, Scotland on Oct xiii, 2015:

This is a great idea! I've been looking for stuff to do with my son and he'd love creating these monster face up. Thank you.

TruthisReal from New York on Oct 12, 2015:

I Dear THIS! I am an artist so I love sketching and painting but I have never painted on rocks I need to do this. This is awesome!!

Sajesh from India on October 05, 2015:

Nice cosmos and I am trying to do something like this for my home showcase! Thanks

Endearing Joshent on October 04, 2015:

such a very overnice idea!And I love the pictures likewise, similar the pictures I got from http://www.backgroundimagepro.com/.

Jonas Rodrigo on July 26, 2015:

Very cute! Imagine going for a normal stroll around the park and you see these adorable things. It simply might brighten someone'due south day.

Larry Rankin from Oklahoma on July 12, 2015:

Beautiful examples and cool idea.

Char Milbrett from Minnesota on June 13, 2015:

Very cool! My mother used to take rocks from Lake Superior, glue felt onto them and pigment them like petty rock turtles. This was fashion dorsum in 1972.

Babs on May 24, 2015:

What a please. Cheers for sharing. How would you brand them weatherproof so the volition stand up upwards to the elements?

D. Gomez on May 08, 2015:

Very creative! Thank y'all for sharing the information, I program to start painting on rocks and pebbles every bit a hobby and you certainly take given me the inspiration to do so. God bless you!

Drop Sea Stone on April 25, 2015:

If y'all are interested in painting stones join Driblet SEA STONE on facebook . I have gear up this up to encourage fine art in the community. It is a cross between Geocaching and Banksy....ie you don't know what fine art is going to turn upwards where. It is good for amateur crafters and professionals but especially for families looking for a cheap day out. Delight chack out the contour Drib Ocean Stone . Annotation the page is all the same under construction.

Arwa on February 19, 2015:

Hi. I started painting on rocks equally well. I beloved information technology. Merely what to you lot glue the magnets with? Any particular kind of clue?. Thank you

shirley on February 14, 2015:

Cracking ideas u could use flow in the dark pigment too ten

safa essam on Feb 12, 2015:

I just love your work. this is real art. I accept been collecting stones all my life and i wanted to use them and display them in my home just I did not know how. you offered me great ideas that I can share with my kids. thanks and so much.

Jane Sabio on January 07, 2015:

I'g so inspired by just looking at all your creative work. hmmm I wish I can as well be like you and so so love to start and make a living at home to help my husband. God bless you more real skilful. Give thanks you very much...

H on Nov xxx, 2014:

Thank you. These are wonderful designs :)

Levi Herris on September 29, 2014:

Thanks for sharing such dandy ideas to pigment creative stones. This would be peachy art project for my child. I have tried painting on rocks with the help of video tutorial before, that is going to be useful now - http://world wide web.jerrysartarama.com/art-lessons/Artists/...

Shruti on Baronial 25, 2014:

These are fabled and then simple. Luckily am surrounded by polish stones upwardly here in the Himalayas. So, I picked upwardly a few and tried my manus at the unproblematic stuff. I wanted to ask, can one use oil paints on stone? If yes, what's the procedure? Cheers!

candi on July 24, 2014:

I am so in love with this post! My girl and I are most to take a proficient time! Thanks for this!

sharon on July 24, 2014:

very inspring

PURPLECANDY (writer) from ANYWHERE on May 02, 2014:

Model Magic both seals and makes the stone shiny! Yous can purchase Model Magic in any craft store or from Amazon. It's a great product to accept on hand!

poppy on March 24, 2014:

love the stones,only collected stones from beach yesterday,to paint today for family birthday.

jane on Feb 21, 2014:

I have a Beautiful stone, I just want to get out information technology... I want to seal information technology, can I make is shinny, what do I use? fun fun fun

Aimee on February 12, 2014:

Love it! going to have a go at making some for my nuptials.

leeor on Dec 24, 2013:

thank you lot so much for the commodity.

after reading near this I wanted to learn to draw by myself and I found a dandy video grade on the topic. savor: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HHFXQ2K?tag=troubadour...

retrat-arte on December 23, 2013:

I´ve made some of them, I promise you like information technology! :)

http://retratosretratarte.blogspot.com.es/p/weblog-p...

eachean on December 20, 2013:

Love these ideas. My family unit has been doing this for a few years now and leaves them out for people to notice. You tin can see our adventures at RentonRocks on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/RentonRocks?ref=ts&fr...

Lori on November 02, 2013:

This is amazing! I love how yous have so many examples to testify all the possibilities. :)

Just wondering, have you lot used pencil crayons before? If I utilise pencil crayons, do you lot think I'll need to spray with a waterproof finisher or something?

Thanks!

adrienne on Oct 23, 2013:

hi.

do y'all sell this? im planning to have this on my wedding. promise you lot can e-mail me: adrienne_kyo@yahoo.com

thank you.

Doreen on October 02, 2013:

your talented. Been painting rocks also.

Ellie on September 21, 2013:

Thank you then much for your perfect explanation! :-)

Melissa Schmidt from Camano Island, Washington on September 13, 2013:

What a neat idea you have! How creative.

Tamie on September 13, 2013:

I honey this thought and craft. This certainly goes faster than counted cross stitch and still looks relaxing.

manu soni on August 22, 2013:

amazing

Rhonda on July 27, 2013:

You can detect the rocks you need at just most any garden or landscaping centre. If you live in an expanse that has any running creek or river beds y'all can pick up more you could ever need in all types of neat colors shapes and sizes. They are cheap to buy at landscaping and garden centers though!! Happy painting !!!

Mazzie on June 02, 2013:

I would like to endeavour this Creative Art as I recover from my Functioning which volition be afterward in the year. Im but curious as to how to preserve the paint on the stones if they go outside..

Joyful4u on May 25, 2013:

Dawn, The only identify that I accept found them is at the beach. Micheal's has some, but they are expensive. I had someone to bring me a agglomeration back from the embankment. They were Costless!!! :)

ahtesham on May 23, 2013:

I similar information technology,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Dawn on May fifteen, 2013:

Does anyone know where I can purchase the smooth unfinished grey river stones??

All I ever find are the polished multicolor ones around hither :(

PURPLECANDY (author) from ANYWHERE on May 02, 2013:

Mod Podge! Information technology is a glue/sealer you can get at whatsoever Craft store...not too expensive! You can buy either matt or shiny version...there is also a glitter version!

Joyful4u on May 02, 2013:

Love! I have done this with the children in my form. Question.....how are some of the rocks painted so shiny? Thanks!!! :)

Ms Louise on Apr fifteen, 2013:

These are amazing. I love to create things with my kids. I think I will attempt this side by side!

Crystal Tatum from Georgia on Apr 05, 2013:

This is so crawly! I really wan to try this. I'grand not much of an artist, but this looks like so much fun. Love the foot stone and the penguins. Voting upwards, awesome and sharing this one!

RTalloni on April 04, 2013:

Thank you for this neat look at painting rocks/stones with all of the fun examples. They make me want to paint this night!

Athlyn Green from West Kootenays on April 04, 2013:

Wonderful Hub. I've oft wanted to try this, every bit rock makes an interesting surface to piece of work with.

KerryAnita from Satellite Embankment, Florida on April 04, 2013:

Wow! these are crawly and beautiful! You lot are a talented artist! You've inspired me to try rock painting!

Rebecca Mealey from Northeastern Georgia, U.s.a. on Apr 04, 2013:

Your rock paintings are but crawly. Very artistic, thanks for sharing. Voted crawly. Shared and pinned.

Jayme Kinsey from Oklahoma on March 31, 2013:

Lovely! I really enjoy painting on rocks. I usually behave a sharpie pen in my purse too so that I can doodle on small stones when I am bored. Enjoyed the pics!

preweb from UK on March 17, 2013:

I enjoyed looking at all the pics, neat idea...i loved the penguins rocks most.

PURPLECANDY (author) from ANYWHERE on September 25, 2012:

Cheers, I enjoyed collecting all the pictures....so many neat ideas!

TheHoleStory from Parsons, West Virginia on September 24, 2012:

This is a great hub, and I dearest all of those beautifully painted stone photographs that you lot've included in this hub. The painted foot rock is the best photo of all. Simply near of all the title itself really rocks!!!!

PURPLECANDY (author) from ANYWHERE on September 21, 2012:

Yea, that pes rock is cool. the first time I saw it, I did a double-take.

Source: https://feltmagnet.com/crafts/PAINTING-AND-DRAWING-ON-STONES

Posted by: lupientorty1994.blogspot.com