Want a fun and easy craft for everyone in your family? Rock painting is a great way for kids and grownups alike to express their creativity. It’s highly addictive, and there’s no end to the possibilities for self-expression.
If you’re a crafter, you probably already have most of the materials you need. If you’re new to the crafting game, it doesn’t take a lot to get started.
You don’t really need a book to try out rock painting, but if you’re a book lover, this book gives you lots of information and tons of ideas. It’s full of simple instructions and suggestions for paints and pens.
The color illustrations give you loads of ideas, and there’s also a section on ways to use and display your pebbly Picassos. You’re sure to find lots of inspiration and handy hints from F. Sehnaz Bac and her colorful, informative book.
So, where do you get rocks? Take a stroll in your neighborhood and look for likely candidates. If that’s not an option, you can check out the garden centers of places like Lowe’s or Home Depot. Craft chains often carry smaller stones, and you can even buy smooth river rocks online.
Acrylic paint is best for rock painting. It’s waterproof when dry and can be thinned with water if it’s too thick. Cleanup is a snap – soapy water is all that’s needed for brushes and smeary fingers. You can purchase individual tubes or pots of paints, or you can buy sets with all the colors you need.
There’s a wide range of sizes and prices so that you can order a small sampling or a rainbow of colors. Pre-mixed colors are great for those not interested in doing a lot of color mixing, and there are tons of crafters sets made up of unusual hues. If you want to get all artistic, buy a set of basic colors and mix your own unique shades.
When it comes to brushes, there’s a huge range of prices and quality. If you already have some acrylic or watercolor brushes, you can go ahead and use those. However, if you’re new to the crafting game, you’ll need a variety of sizes. How large and how small depends on the size of your rocks and the intricacy of your design.
Since you’ll probably be working on stones that are two to three inches in diameter, a set of smaller rock painting brushes, from 000 to ½ inches is probably best.
Paint markers are perfect when you don’t want to be bothered with brushes, palette and water. This is an especially good idea for the kiddos – saves a lot of cleanup and spills. Choose medium-width markers to cover larger areas and extra-fine markers for detail work.
When your masterpiece is complete, it’s a good idea to seal the paint to protect it from wear and scratches. Paint Sealer is available in spray and brush-on varieties, and it comes in matte, satin and high-gloss finishes. If you are displaying your treasure outdoors, make sure to select a finish that’s rated for outdoor use.
