Step By Step Guide to Painting Rocks

I’m sure by now you’ve heard about Kindness Rocks and seen some of the fun painted rocks that people are finding around your community. It’s a movement that started about a year ago and has spread across the country. People paint rocks, hide them in your local community, and bring a smile to someone’s day when they find one hiding. While I’m sure you’ve seen some amazing and talented artists pictures of painted rocks; painted rocks can be fun for anyone regardless of skill level.

If you’re wanting to give painted rocks a try here are a few things you’ll want to know before you get started.

Supplies Needed: 

• Smooth rocks and stones! Any size or shape! I find my rocks at Lowes but you can find them anywhere.
• Acrylic paint, paint pens, markers, pens, etc. Water based paints work best; just avoid tempera or poster paint.
• Paint brushes. I like a good nylon bristle brush personally, but you can use whatever you have!
• Palette or paper plate to mix paints on.
• Hair dryer…if you’re impatient like me to speed up the drying time!
• Clear acrylic spray to seal your rocks.
• Just a little creativity and confidence! Don’t be afraid to play around, there’s no award for the best looking rock!

Rock Painting Tips and Steps: 

• To get started you’ll want to rinse your rocks to remove any dust and dirt. This will allow the paint to adhere properly. Let the rocks dry and you’re ready to get started!
• I use the Painted Rock Challenge to get my ideas for what to paint, but you can paint anything that comes to mind. If you need a little inspiration, you can always search “painted rock ideas” on Pinterest or look in local rock painting groups. Just be sure to add your own personal touch to rocks and give credit to the original artist if you’ve tried to duplicate something you found.
• There are no rules with rock painting.
• If you want a colored background, paint the rocks first with a solid color. If you prefer the natural color of the rock, leave it plain! Allow the paint to dry between coats; this is when I’ll use my hair dryer if I’m impatient!
• You can sketch or draw your ideas on the rock with pencil or just get started with a paint brush! Again, there are no rules here, do what feels natural to you!
• The cheaper craft paint that most of us use from the craft stores is typically pretty thin, you may need to apply 2-4 coats of paint to fully cover the rock. Just let it dry between coats. For the turkey rock I started with the body and the feathers applying the solid colors first.
• Once you have your background done, get started with any details you want to add. You can do this with a paintbrush, paint pens, permanent markers (like sharpies) and fine point pens (like the Pigma Micron and gel pens). You can use a combination of materials, just test them first to see how waterproof they are. Some pens and markers may smear if you apply paint over the top; so you’ll want a spray sealer.
• When you’re done with the fine details, let the entire rock dry! Then spray with a clear acrylic spray or sealer and let that dry.
• Don’t forget to sign the back of your rocks! Many artists sign their name or add their local rock groups name to the back. You can also write a special message on the back.

When you’re done with your rocks, take them with you around town and hide them! Just be mindful where you hide them and make sure it’s someplace safe and isn’t disrupting the local ecosystem.

Don’t let painting on rocks scare you! If you mess up, you haven’t messed up an expensive canvas or wasted a lot of money. In the end, it’s just a rock! Don’t be afraid to experiment and try something new! 

I’d love to see your painted rocks! Take a picture and share it with me on social media! Use the hashtag #PaintedRocks #PaintedRockChallenge and check your local rock groups for other popular and regional hashtags. You can join our Painted Rock Challenge Group on Facebook and share your paintings there also.