Buzz
Painting on stones is a delightful and creative way to preserve the stones you collect while strolling along riverbanks. It's also a fantastic and imaginative hobby. You don't need to be an artist or take lessons to paint on stones. All you need is to find a stone, paint on it, and complete your artwork.
Steps to Follow
Choose and Clean the Stone
Find a stone. If you're looking for a pebble, the best place to find one is in the riverbed. You can also find similar stones in small streams, lakesides, and beaches. Choose any stone you like, but stones with smooth surfaces are ideal for painting. Stones that have been submerged in water for a long time are great for painting since they have been worn down and become round and smooth.
- Remember not to pick up stones from places where it's prohibited.
- Be careful when searching for stones. Don’t approach the water's edge unless you're sure you're safe or have someone watching over you.
Clean the Stone. Make sure the stone is free from dirt and that its surface is not chipped. To clean it, place the stone in warm soapy water and use an old toothbrush to scrub the surface. Then, rinse off the soap from the stone and dry it with a towel.
- For tough spots on the stone’s surface, use sandpaper with a grit of 100, then move to 150, and finally to 220.
Place the Stone on a Table. Set up your painting space. You can paint anywhere you like, but a table is the best option because it offers plenty of space. Be sure to protect the surface you're painting on. You can place newspaper or paper towels to prevent the paint from getting on the table. Consider reusing old cardboard boxes to save paper and help protect the environment. Simply cut along the edges of the box and unfold it. The gray surface inside the box provides contrast for your design, and the cardboard is sturdier than paper towels. Plus, when using cardboard, you don’t have to worry about ink from the newspaper smearing onto the table like you would with newspaper.
Paint on the Stone
Choose a Design. Pick any design you like. You can paint the entire stone to create an image like an animal or paint a small scene on the stone. Some animal design ideas include a cat, dog, fish, or owl. For a scene, you could paint a house or a branch with a bird perched on it. If the stone is large enough, you can write an inspiring word, such as 'Hope' or 'Peace'.
- You can also paint monsters on the stone, like Frankenstein, to decorate for Halloween.
Joy Cho
Designer & Style Expert, Oh Joy!
Designer & Style Expert, Oh Joy!
Our experts agree: Painting on stones is a fun activity for children and adults of all ages, and can also make a wonderful gift from kids. Try painting patterns, images, or messages that hold meaning to you.
Sketch the design on the stone. Once the stone is clean, use a pencil to sketch your design. You can first draw on paper if that helps you develop your ideas better before transferring them onto the stone. Sketching directly on the stone will help you be more precise.
- An H-type pencil is ideal for light sketches with clear lines.
- Sketch gently with the pencil so that the lines do not show through the light paint layer.
Prepare the paint. Use acrylic paints like Liquitex or outdoor Plaid paints. However, outdoor acrylic paints are the best choice as they are designed for porous surfaces like stone and can withstand environmental factors. Regular acrylic paints are more effective when you keep the stone indoors.
- If the paint packaging has a birdhouse symbol on it, it means the paint is suitable for outdoor use.
- Make sure you have a tray to mix the colors. If you don’t, an old plate, parchment paper, or aluminum foil over a piece of cardboard will do the job.
Use inexpensive brushes. Brushes lose their quality when used to paint on stones, especially rough-surfaced stones. It’s best to choose an inexpensive brush set with different brush sizes to accommodate various painting tasks. This way, you’ll have large brushes for covering wide areas and smaller brushes for intricate details.
- If you prefer using a specific type of brush, opt for one made for acrylic paint with medium firmness.
Start with the larger surfaces. A common mistake people make is trying to paint small details first and then the larger areas around them. In reality, you should start by painting the larger sections, like the background color. Once the larger surface is done, let the paint dry before working on the surrounding areas or on top of that layer. You can choose to paint one side or both sides of the stone.
- If painting both sides of the stone, wait several hours or up to a day for the first side to fully dry before painting the second side.
Draw fine details. Next, you'll apply several more layers of paint, add patterns, and draw the finer details. You can also use non-washable brushes to do this. This is also the time to correct any small mistakes you may have made earlier.
- Wait for the paint to dry before adding additional layers of paint. Avoid adding dark colors on top of dark ones or light colors on top of light ones. Only choose contrasting colors so the second layer doesn’t cover the first one.
- You can use a sponge to add leaf patterns. Just dip a small piece of sponge into paint and dab it onto the stone.
- If you need to fix any mistakes, you can paint over them until they’re no longer visible or transform the error into another pattern. For instance, you might paint over the bird on the 'sky' and create a cloud pattern instead.
Complete your masterpiece
Wait for the paint to dry. Place the stone somewhere safe where it won’t be touched or moved. After completing the painting, wait for the paint to dry for at least a few hours or an entire day. Check the stone when you think the paint is dry to ensure the surface is completely dry.
Sign and date your work. You can sign your name and add the date on the stone to remember when you painted it. This is especially fun for kids. Use a permanent marker to ensure the text doesn’t fade, and this type of marker works well on stone surfaces.
Spray a protective topcoat. Once the stone has dried for at least a day, spray a clear, waterproof urethane coat over the painted surface. This will help prevent the paint from cracking or peeling. Be sure to do this outside or in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling the fumes.
- This step should only be done by adults or children under adult supervision.
Display your stone. You can place the stone somewhere for decoration or use. Put it on a tray or on a windowsill. Additionally, the stone can be used as a paperweight, or if it's large enough, it can serve as a step in the garden. You can also gift the stone to a friend as a keepsake.
Tips
- After use, brushes should be cleaned with soap and water. While painting, avoid soaking the brush in water as it can damage the bristles. Simply clean and place the brush on a damp sponge or small towel.
- You can get ideas for your painting by browsing online samples or choosing a stone that reminds you of something like a fish or a flower.
Warnings
- Many areas have regulations regarding environmental conservation. Even the smallest negative action can impact the ecosystem. Ensure that the stone you select does not harm any living creatures (plants or animals).
- Some paints may not be safe for children to use. Always check the product packaging for any warning labels.
What you'll need
- A smooth, clean stone
- Outdoor-friendly acrylic or craft paint
- Brushes
- Paint palette
- Clear surface spray product
