How to Paint Rocks with a Clear and Simple Guide (Craft)

Rock painting is an easy, fun activity that kids of any age (as well as adults) can do together. Using simple, non-toxic acrylic paint, your fingers or a paintbrush, you can make amazing art that doubles as a game. When you’re finished with your rock art, you can hide the rocks on paths and in local parks where people will search for them.

To get started, the first thing you’ll need to do is to collect your supplies. You will need a paint tray, paintbrush or brushes and at least the three primary colors in acrylic paint (red, blue, and yellow). To make a full spectrum of color, pick up white and black paint as well. Tubes of acrylic paint can be anywhere from $1 up, but for this outdoor craft, basic craft paint or acrylics found in the children’s section will do. There are excellent sets offering 12 or 24 colors, as well. Make sure the paint is acrylic, because watercolor will wash away with the rain.

Along with the paint, you will need a small palette to mix the paint on. Alternatively, use a paper plate or folded paper towel. You’ll need paper towels for under the project to avoid spills and messy paint on the ground or your table.

Finally, you can choose to fingerprint or use brushes. A bag of varied brushes is around $5 at a local craft store and gives you plenty of options for this project.

Acrylic paint dries quickly in the sun, so for younger children, painting where it’s hot will set the paint faster and make the project simpler. Inside, prepare for around 10 to 15 minutes between coats of color. Of course, you don’t have to wait if you want to mix colors or like the look of blending on the rock.

Here is a comprehensive guide on how to paint rocks. Specifically, it is a tutorial on how to paint a tiger on a rock.

Painted Tiger Rock

Step-by-step instructions for painting a tiger rock.

Print Craft Pin Craft

Prep Time 10

Craft Time 20

Total Time 30

Materials

1 Paint Tray
1 Paint brush
3 Paint Colors (Acrylic Paint)
1 Flat, hand-sized rock

Instructions

The first thing to do is to paint a base coat on the rock. This tiger rock has a pink base for the tiger. This pink was achieved by mixing red with white acrylic.
After that, work on the black lines. Add the eyes by making two dots, and use a "C" shape to make the mouth.
Whiskers come next. Paint three black lines on each side of the rock.
To add ears to the tiger rock, make two upside-down V shapes over the two black dots.
Next, add a red nose by dipping the tip of the paintbrush (the end without bristles) into red paint. This will make a perfect circle. You can make an oval by moving the tip back and forth.
Paint a black line from the red nose to the center of the mouth.
Finally, paint a black line between the ears, and then paint an equal sigh across it. This makes the tiger's forehead stripes.

Notes

Allow the tiger rock to dry for 15 to 20 minutes before you place it outside to rest in the sun with its companions! If you’d like, you can also join rock painting groups and participate in rock-finding games in your community. Painting rocks is a great way to spend some time working on fine motor skills before hiding the rocks where others can find and enjoy them.

Keyword Painting Craft, Rock, Tiger

Painted Tiger Rock

Materials

Instructions

Notes

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