Rock painting has reached a new level of creativity on Pinterest. So if you’re looking for a new craft to try, rock painting might be for you.
If you’re unsure where to start with rock painting, this post is for you, as I share countless ideas and even a guide on how to get started.
So without further ado, let’s get crafting!
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How to prep your rocks
Thoroughly cleaning your rocks is a step that people overlook, which makes or breaks the final product
How to wash rocks
- Steep in warm, soapy water for 10 minutes
- Use a toothbrush to remove remaining dirt
- Dry with an old towel
Choosing the right materials
Choosing which paint to use is a make-or-break for your rock art. When choosing what paint quality matters, but at the same time, you might be painting a lot of rocks and need something that won’t break the bank. The solution is somewhere in the middle, a good quality paint that’s mid-price range. I love the Monte Marte acrylic paint as I find they are the best quality for the lowest price. These paints start at 5 dollars.
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Supplies you need to make painted rocks
- Rocks
- Acrylic paint
- Thin brush for details
- Gesso
- Regular round brush
- Flat brush
- Mod Podge glaze or resin
- Uv light
How do I know what to paint ?
If you’re stuck on what to paint, a great option is to paint food items you already have in your house, for example, an apple. Using real items as a reference is a great way to improve your painting skills as you become more familiar with the depth and perspective of your chosen object. If you struggle to paint straight on the rock, a tip is to start with a line pencil drawing.
Whimsical cat rock painting
I love this design, as a certified cat lover. To achieve this design, you will need an array of different paints in the color of your cat. Use a detailed brush to form thin strokes such as whiskers. Add gold paint for a more mystical design.
Faux cactus rock plant
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This idea is genius if you’re terrible at keeping plants alive. The concept behind this rock design is that you paint a different part of the cactus for each rock after you place them into a little plant pot; they form a faux cactus rock sculpture. This idea is so clever and perfect to add greenery to a space.
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This design is super cute and perfect to give to your significant other. All you need is a few paint colors and a knack for detail. In pink, create the tulip design, add little stars for extra cuteness, and there you have it: two tulips in love.
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This idea is such a cute one. The concept is that you paint your home on a rock surrounded by nature. This is a cute idea for a housewarming gift or simply some unique home decor to add some flair to your home.
Ladybugs are everywhere recently, and I mean, I’m not mad. Did you know that in some European traditions, such as Irish traditions, the number of spots on a ladybug is said to hint at how many months until you meet your partner or experience something romantic. This design is so easy to achieve; all you need are two colors. If you want to make it even cuter, add googly eyes.
Positivity rock idea
Positivity rocks are such an adorable idea to brighten somebody’s day. Imagine this, you have a path leading to your home surrounded by positive rocks, wouldn’t that just brighten your day?
Strawberry painted rock
Strawberry-painted rocks are such a neat idea for summer. You could even paint multiple and add them to a cute dish as a table centre piece.
Herb labels rock idea
This idea is perfect for labelling your plants. Simply paint on the corresponding plant you have in your garden, and there you have eco-friendly plant labels.
Family portraits rock idea
If you’re looking for a quirky family portrait but don’t have any ideas, this rock painting portrait is a great idea. Remember, it doesn’t have to be realistic; it just has to be distinctive enough so family members can tell who is who by looking at the rocks.
Lemonade inspired rock painting idea
Lemonade-themed rocks are a refreshing idea to add summer decor to your space. This design is great cause it doesn’t require many colors or expertise; all you need is a little creative flair.
Girlie butterfly painted rock design
Butterfly rocks are so pretty, and the possibilities are endless. You could even paint different types, making them a perfect gift for a young girl.
Glamorous rock design
If you’re wondering how to make your home more glamorous, these rocks may be how. Using black and white paint, paint trendy patterns, then add more details using gold paint, which really makes the design pop.
Landscape rock design idea
There’s something so serene about landscape painting. So why paint your favorite nature scene on a rock? If you’re wondering what to choose, think mountain scenes, river landscapes, and cute forests.
Ocean creature rock painting idea
This design is perfect for ocean lovers. Adding coastal motifs to your rock design is a great way to add some coastal vibes to your home.
Lover girl painted rock idea
If you’re a girlie girl, you’d love this design. This design is great for anyone who loves pink. The read details are chef kisses.
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Daisy inspired painted rock design
If you’re a floral lover, this design is for you. What I love about this design is that you can see the texture of the rock, which gives it a very earthy look.
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Minions inspired rock painting design
Minions are so popular for a reason; they’re funny, and kids love them. So why not create a rock design inspired by these quirky creatures? You could add different expressions on each rock representing the different characters.
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Mushroom cottage painted rock design
If you’re a cottage core girl, this design will be your favourite. I love the idea of creating a mushroom cottage. This design would work perfectly beside your favourite tree as a fairy door.
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Chick inspired rock painting design
This design is as springy as you can get. I mean, just look at how cute it is. You can achieve this design in a few simple steps, beginning by painting the entire rock yellow, adding orange paint to create the nose, with the same color, and creating the feet with three lines that meet in the middle. Add black paint for the eyes and use a detailed brush to create a white dot in the middle of the eyes.
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Apple inspired rock painting design
Apple paintings are super on trend this year, so why not paint a cute apple on a rock? First paint the rock red, once dried add a cream shade in a heart shape in the centre, then add the details using black.
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M&M inspired rock design
If you’re struggling to find perfectly smooth rocks in your backyard, this design might be for you. As the uneven rocks on the m & m design look like chocolate that has been eaten.
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Coffee lovers rock design
If you’re a fall girly at heart and want to showcase it, this design is for you. I love the idea of painting your favourite beverage on a rock.
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Lemon and lime inspired rock design
Lemon and lime are easy to paint, especially when you have very few supplies, as all you need is two colors and some creativity.
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Music lovers rock design
If you’re a music lover, why not paint your favorite instrument on a rock? In the picture above, a piano rock is created using two colors. White for the tiles and black for the wooden part of the instrument.
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Hand-burger lovers rock design
If someone special in your life loves hamburgers, this design is for them. Simply divide your rock into 5 pieces, make sure the top and bottom sections are larger than the others, as they will make up the bun. Add paint to display your favourite burger toppings.
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Soda inspired rock design
If you’re a soda fan, this design is for you. The colors that you need will depend on what soda you want to paint. A good rule of thumb is to have all the primary colors and white for painting any rock design. If you’re struggling to mix colors, you can easily refer to a color wheel for reference.
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American candy rock design
You can never go wrong with painting your favourite candy. Usually, it’s simple enough and doesn’t require a whole lot of shading or blending. Pick your rock according to the shape of your candy, and there you have it, the perfect rocks.
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Ice-cream cone rock design
If you have triangular-shaped rocks and are unsure of how to paint them, ice-cream cones might be a good option.
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Leaf inspired rock design
If you really want to make something cute and timeless, plant leaves are the way to go. You can even add bugs to the corners. The possibilities with this design are endless
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Hungry caterpillar rock design
If you loved The Hungry Caterpillar growing up, this design is for you. All you need is green, yellow, purple, and red paint to create this design.
How do I apply resin to rocks
Once you’ve painted your rocks, you might want them to be shiny and durable. That’s where resin comes in. Resin can be hard to work with at the best of times, as it is temperamental. First, make sure the paint is completely dry and the surface is clean.
Mix a two-part epoxy resin according to the instructions (usually a 1:1 ratio), stirring slowly to avoid bubbles. Pour or brush a thin, even layer over the rock, letting any excess drip off naturally. Use a heat gun or small torch briefly to remove air bubbles, then leave the rock to cure in a dust-free space for 24–72 hours until it hardens into a glossy, protective finish.
If you’ve made it this far, thanks. I really appreciate it
Happy homemaking,
The24homemaker
