How To Make Unbelievably Exquisite Painted Rocks

I have had a high demand for a painted rocks post so here it is! Painted rocks are one of the internet’s best sellers as far as art goes. Many crafty types enjoy painting rocks and selling them on their own website or a shop site like Etsy. People buy painted rocks as home decor or a garden bed designs. You can even write something inspirational on them and hide them around the area where you live for others to find. Now let’s hop to it and see how it’s done!

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What Kind Of Paint Is Best For Rocks

This is a quite common question I get a lot from people. I highly recommend acrylic paint pens. Because rocks are so small, I find it much easier for me to write, draw, or stencil them more precisely. You can also spray paint them if you have a well ventilated workspace!

Get the paint you need to start this project right now on Amazon!

What Kind Of Rocks Should I Use?

You can literally use any rock that you find lying around. My advice to you if you find one outside you would like to use, be sure to wash it off thoroughly. You can use your garden hose if you don’t feel like getting your indoor sink dirty. Another alternative would be to purchase stones that are already optimal for painting. Art stones are typically shaped nicely and provide a much smoother surface.

Get optimal rocks for painting right now on Amazon!

Should You Use A Base Coat?

It really depends on how you want your rock to look and how you want your paint to apply. I’ve found that rocks are a bit porous to paint on and actually absorb quite a bit of paint. For this reason I usually use a base coat. The base coat allows the rock to absorb the excess paint and provide the nicest surface to paint on. Do allow your rock to dry for a few days after painting it. Here is a great base coat tutorial post if you want to see an easy way to apply one.

Get a great acrylic base coat paint for rocks right now on Amazon!

Using Stencils To Paint Rocks

You can use virtually any stencil to paint on your rocks. I recommend taking a charcoal pencil and outlining your stencil of choice before painting. This helps you get nice straight crisp lines to follow with your paint. This is especially useful if you are doing a Mandala dot pattern on your rock. Here is a great Mandala rock tutorial you can check out.

 

Get stencils for Mandala rock painting right now on Amazon!

 

How Do I Make A Painted Rock Design That Really Pops?

To make a design that really pops it is best to use contrasting colors. Many artists like to use a black acrylic base coat versus a white one. This allows your colors to really stand out. Color Shift paint is a popular paint type to use for painted rocks as it adds more dimension to the flat rock surface. 

Get Color Shift paint for rocks right now on Amazon!

What Tools Will I Need For Painting Rocks?

There are several types of tools to use for rock painting. Of course first you will need traditional fine tipped paint brushes. Another great tool to have is a silicone dotting tool. There are multiple types of these. They range in size and shape for the desired look and effect you want. 

Here is a tool kit you can get for rock painting right now on Amazon!

Also check out this first time rock painting video with more tips and ideas to use!

I hope this helps you to get started with rock painting. Let me know how it goes! Feel free to comment about your rock painting experiences or share your pictures! Email them to [email protected] Stay happy, healthy, safe, and crafty!

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