Read an Excerpt
CHAPTER 1
PART I: GETTING STARTED
TOOLS & MATERIALS
Before you begin painting your stones, you need to have the correct materials and tools. Most of these items can be found at your local art and craft store. In time, as you paint more stones, you can decide which materials work best for you.
Pencils & Erasers
Fir t you need hard lead pencils (at least 2H) to sketch your designs onto the stones. To correct any errors on your sketch, use soft art erasers. You can use a compass for basic circles in mandala designs.
Transfer Paper
There are different levels of transfer paper for light-surfaced stones and dark-surfaced stones. Use them with caution, as it can be difficult to remove transfer lines with an eraser.
Paintbrushheess & Sponges
You will need synthetic round brushes with different sizes to begin. Use tiny ones (sizes 0, 00, 000) for details, and sizes 14, 16 for larger areas. Always wash your brusshheess with soapy water after use. Use sponges to create bright backgrounds and special effects.
Paints
Acrylic paints are the best choice for stone painting. They are easy to apply, have brilliant colors, and cover the surface easily. You can find them in tubes, jars, or plastic containers. These paints dry very quickly, so keep their containers closed when they aren't in use. Alternatively, you can use water-based craft colors.
Inks & Dip Pens
You can use acrylic inks on your stone paintings, as they are highly pigmented and have intense colors. Inks are very good for fine details if you use them with a small brush or dip pen.
Varnishes
Use acrylic varnishes to protect your painted stones. You can use glossy or matte varnish according your taste.
Paint Pens, Markers & Fine-liner Pens
When you want to draw or paint more detailed designs, you can use water-based paint pens and markers. Fine-liner pens are useful when you want to detail designs on your stones or pebbles. They have archival indelible ink, and extra-thin sizes are useful to work with tiny details.
SELECTING & PREPARING ROCKS
When you want to paint rocks as a hobby or for your craft projects, first you need to search for the right rocks. Along the shores of beaches, you can find stones of different sizes, shapes, and forms. Rivers, riverbeds, or lakes are also wonderful places to collect stones; but take care, it is often illegal to remove stones from public beaches, rivers, or lakes. Be sure to ask permission before removing any stones from their natural environment.
As an alternative, a variety of rocks can be purchased from rock suppliers. In these expansive yards, rocks are sorted according to size and type. You can also find flat flagstone in a variety of colors, thicknesses, and textures. Locate a rock supplier by searching your local area for "Landscape Supplies."
Size & Shape
Smooth and flat stones are ideal for working with ink or markers. You can paint or draw directly onto their natural surfaces. Rough and textured stones also work well if they have the desired shape. Try choosing your stones by shape: oval stones for owl or fish designs, round for mandalas, irregular shapes for other bird or animal designs. Stones have different colors that can create special effects when you paint them. For example, naturally dark or black stones are great choices for monochrome designs using white, gold, or silver ink. White, smooth stones are ideal for painting bright colors. Even rough stones with a special shape can look great after applying a few layers of paint to them.
After collecting your stones, leave them in a bowl of water for a few hours to soak off any excess dirt or sand particles. Next clean them with a soft brush and mild soap. After rinsing with running tap water, leave the stones to dry for at least one day out in the sun or in a warm place inside.
Once completely dry, your stones are ready to paint! If your rocks are rough or porous, you can make them more smooth by adding a few coats of paint. Apply one or two coats of white acrylic paint, and once the paint dries, rub the surface with very fine sandpaper to help smooth the surface for your design.
When you are finished painting your rock art, you will want to protect your work from sunshine, dust, or humidity. Use a high-quality acrylic varnish (or varnish with UV protection). Varnishes can easily be found in craft stores or art shops. Once your painted stone is completely dry, apply two or three layers of liquid varnish with a wide brush. If you are using a spray varnish, spray outdoors or in a well-ventilated area, wearing a mask. These kinds of sprays are highly flammable. After you have applied varnish, wait at least 48 hours to use your stones.
TIPS & TECHNIQUES
Before you begin a project, it's a good idea to practice a few basic brushstrokes and painting techniques. Don't be afraid to experiment and try a variety of painting techniques. If you make a mistake and want to start over, it's no problem; remember that acrylic colors can be washed off while they're still wet or painted over after they are dry.
Drybrushing
Drybrushing is an easy way to create the look of grass, fur, or anything that requires soft texture. It can also be used to build up color or to add subtle shading. First load a round brush with paint and lay the bristles on paper to wick away the wetness and splay the bristles. Apply the paint using light, feathered strokes with the bristles splayed. When the paint dries, repeat as needed to build color or texture.
Stippling & Lining
Stippling adds color and texture while letting the underpainting show through. To stipple, dot on paint with the tip of a round brush. Use a liner brush to make clean, thin strokes; its long bristles can hold ample paint. Angled brushes also work well, especially on round surfaces. Hold the angled brush so that the chiseled edge slides lightly along the surface.
Double- & Triple-Loading
Double- and triple-loading your brushes will produce a variety of color blends and gradients. To double-load a brush, dip each side in a different color as shown above, or squeeze two colors side by side onto your palette, and dip your brush in both at once. To triple-load, simply add a third color.
Wet Layering
To highlight an edge, apply your base color and let it dry. Then dip a round brush in clean water and wet the area just below the edge to be highlighted. Choose a color lighter than the base, and highlight the dry edge, stroking it into the wet area. Dry your brush on a towel, and then use it to absorb any excess moisture.
Stone Slab
A large, flat stone slab or piece of flagstone can be used for a unique canvas that can be displayed on an easel. The layered edges of the flagstone can be left unpainted for added effect. Wash the flagstone well to remove any loose layers that could easily chip off during painting.
When an otherwise perfect rock is marred by a hole or a crack, wood filler can correct the imperfection. Fill in the hole with a putty knife, and then remove the excess. If desired, sand the filler after 15 minutes. Let dry for 2 hours before painting.
Monochromatic Designs
Bare and painted stones are perfect for monochromatic designs. To create a monochrome design on your stone's surface, work with dip pens, tiny brushes, and acrylic inks. After you sketch your design on the stone, draw over the sketch with ink or a fine-liner pen to cover all sketch lines. When you are finished creating your design, add contour lines with dip pens and acrylic ink.
Bare Stone
This method is perfect for when you have flat, smooth-surfaced stones. Just sketch your design on stone and fill it in with your choosen colors.
Painted Stone
Use this method if the surface of your stone is covered with acrylic paint or ink. Once the painted surface is completely dry, add your design with pencil.
When you start to paint your design, use brushes, acrylic paint, paint pens, acrylic inks, or tiny brushes. Try to cover all areas, and stay inside sketch lines. Let the paint dry for one hour. Then, if the colors are not as bright as you wish, you can pass a second layer over them. When this layer dries, use fine-liner pens to draw outlines.
Sponging
Sponge on beautifully blended backgrounds for your favorite Zen inspirations. See page 124 for some commonly used words.
1 Dip the sponge in your lightest color, and dab the paint onto the exposed half of the rock until it's covered. Immediately sponge your medium color into the wet paint, leaving a portion of the top area untouched. Sponge your darkest color into the wet edge of your medium color and down as far as you can go.
2 After the paint dries, turn the rock over and continue sponging the darkest color onto the bottom of the rock. Let the paint dry overnight. Then transfer the chosen symbols to the center of the top of the rock (see below).
To transfer a design onto a rock, first reduce or enlarge the design to fit your rock. Color the back of the design with white pencil for dark rocks and black pencil for light rocks, so the paper acts like carbon paper. (You can use carbon paper also, but it smudges more easily.) Cut out the design and tape it down with low-tack artist's tape. Transfer the image by tracing over the lines with a ballpoint pen, using light-to-medium pressure.
3 Next paint the symbols using a liner brush. Try to always stroke toward the thin end of a line, lifting the brush up and away as you finish. If your strokes are skipping over the rock, dilute the paint more — being careful not to thin it too much or the paint will be runny and transparent — and stroke more slowly.
4 When you're done painting, examine the rock to see if you can find any small mistakes. It's always easier to touch up errors when the paint is dry. Once you're satisfied with your results, seal the rock with clear matte acrylic spray.
Rock Lettering
A rock paperweight that you have hand-lettered with your favorite inspirational saying makes a thoughtful gift or a useful affirmation for yourself. To master lettering techniques on a rounded three-dimensional surface, you'll want to choose smooth, flat rocks with no pits or ridges.
Permanent Marker When lettering on a bare rock, use an extra-fine permanent marker for better control. Use a light touch and keep the maker moving; the ink may bleed if you press in one place for too long.
Paint Marker To letter on a painted rock with paint markers, first apply your base color with a wide, flat brush. Once dry, transfer your design with a white pencil. Then use a metallic paint marker to paint the center initial and the surrounding leaf sprays; keep the marker moving and use a light touch for best results. When the metallic color is dry, touch up any mistakes with your background color.
Paintbrush Transfer your design onto the rock with colored pencil (it is least likely to smudge on the paint). Then use a liner brush to fill in the wide portions of the letters and the flourish with color. Outline the design with black, keeping the brush tip tapered and clear of buildup. Create the swirls in parts, always pulling the brush toward you.
A glossy clear coat will enliven and enhance color enormously. Enrich and protect your rock creations at the same time with a permanent, waterproof, clear acrylic spray finish. A light coating is all that is needed. For serious water- and weatherproofing, spray several light coats. (Consult the specific directions for the brand you choose.)
PRACTICE HERE
Use these practice pages to work out your ideas, patterns, and designs.
CHAPTER 2
PART II: COLORFUL PATTERNS
SUNSET
Mandala dot rock painting is a meditative practice. The size and irregular shape of this natural canvas, along with the need to focus on the size, color, and placement of each dot of paint causes the mind and body to slow down and focus on the small world you are creating.
1 Choose a flat, smooth rock with a shape you like. The rock's shape, size, and texture will determine your mandala design. Wash the rock well to remove any dirt from the surface and let it dry completely.
2 Choose a color scheme and inspirational concept (field of desert flowers, wedding bouquet, sunset sky, or hummingbird's breast) before you begin. Because the canvas is so small, choosing three or four colors, with white and black as balancing colors, keeps the design focused.
3 Let the rock tell you where to begin and how to proceed. Unlike a traditional square or rectangular canvas, rocks are rarely a perfect circle or shape, and the surface may have slight dips and grooves in it. Use those imperfections to inspire your design. The rock's shape and surface can help you determine the size of your first circle and guide your other ring colors and sizes.
4 When choosing to use a dot pattern to create your mandala, take your time with each dot. To create a uniform-like pattern, the dots of each ring should be a similar size and distance from the previous ring.
5 Varying the size and colors of the dot rings you create, will provide texture and unique design elements to your mandala. Don't overthink this process. Let the rock and your own instincts guide you. Let sections of the paint dry completely before handling the rock to access other sections. Most acrylic paint takes 10 minutes to dry.
6 Once your rock is finished, and the paint is solidly dry, use an all-purpose clear lacquer spray to protect and seal your finished stone. If you plan to use your stone outside, allow the stone to dry completely, and apply a second layer of lacquer. Always apply lacquer in a windless and well-ventilated space.
BLUE MANDALA
Your mandala stone can be used as a paperweight, bookend, or as a decorative object in your home or garden. Try turning your stone into wall art by attaching it to a wood panel and framing it. You can also simply use your stone for personal meditation. The choice is up to you!
1 Paint the surface of your stone with turquoise acrylic paint and a large brush. If your stone's surface is porous, fill in the porous parts with paint by applying soft pressure to your brush. Wait until the paint is completely dry to continue.
2 When the paint is dry, sketch your design on the stone with a pencil. Begin with a small circle in the center; then draw three concentric circles with spaces between them. Fill in your mandala design with rows of semiovals, triangles, and leaf-like patterns around the circles. If your pencil lines are difficult to see, pass over them with a thin black liner pen.
3 Add color tones to your design with acrylic ink. Use different hues: light blue, cobalt, and ultramarine. You can pass a second layer of inks if you want brighter colors. Once dry, add some contour lines to the painted parts of your mandala design using paint pens. These lines will define the different hues of the color and add a stylish look to your mandala design.
4 Add triangle and leaf-like rows to the center part of your design. Pass black contour lines over your design. Fill some parts in with thin, parallel lines (black dots and lines). Pass another contour line around the rows with white ink and a thin dip pen. Use white dots and lines to fill triangles and other design elements.
5 Add more details to your mandala design in this phase. Draw white lines inside of big triangles. Use white and blue dots in different empty spaces of your design. Put small white dots over the main circle lines of your design. Add a white contour to the inside of each semi-oval on the outer design.
6 To finish adding details to your mandala design, draw a bold white contour to the outside of semi-ovals as a border. Add plant-like motifs to empty spaces between the big triangles. Use acrylic varnish to seal and protect your painting.
COLORFUL MANDALA
1 Look for a round, flat stone with a smooth surface. Mark your center point on the stone to begin your mandala. Use an H2 pencil to draw four concentric circles around your center point. Make sure to leave enough space between the circle lines. You can use a compass for the circles, or you can draw them freehand.
2 Add all the details of your mandala design, drawing rows of half circles, leaf-like shapes, semi-ovals, and triangles around the circle lines.
3 Start to fill your design with paint. You can use acrylic paint and acrylic inks as well. Use very thin round brushes to work easily in the small spaces. Choose bright, bold colors to give contrast to your design.
4 Using a fine-tip black liner pen, draw contour lines throughout your design for a clean and defined look.
5 Now you are ready to add the details to your stone, as described in detail on the opposite page. Start from the center so that pen lines will dry as you move on to the next details.
• Add white dots and black lines to row 1 and black dots to row 2.
• In row 3, draw some small black triangles between big triangles.
• In row 4, draw semicircles above the black triangles, and draw a white contour inside them; then add white dots.
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "The Little Book of Rock Painting"
by .
Copyright © 2019 Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc..
Excerpted by permission of The Quarto Group.
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