FAQ's on Rock Painting
Frequently
Asked Questions
Why
paint on rocks?
What
kind of paint do you use?
I
live in the city. Where can get rocks?
I'd
like to try painting rocks - but I can't draw.
How
do you transfer patterns?
Why
paint on rocks?
Sure, there are plenty of
other surfaces available. But painting on rocks allows you to select your
own raw material - and, best of all, it's free! Also, many beginning painters
find it more natural to paint on a three-dimensional surface, one whose
shape already suggests its subject. And it's a lot less intimidating because
you really can't "ruin a rock." Rock paintings don't require framing and
can be displayed anywhere; on your front steps, in a window sill, tucked
among house plants or doing double duty as door stops, paper weights and
book ends. Think of rock art as artwork that works!
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I
live in the city. Where can I get rocks?
Try checking the yellow pages
under "rocks" "stones" or "building and landscaping supplies." Most urban
areas have rock yards where builders buy rocks by the ton to use in fireplace
construction and walkways. Such places will often allow you to buy a box
full of rocks you select for a nominal amount. And remember to keep your
eyes open (and your car trunk empty) when traveling. Good places to pick
up rocks include under bridges and along seashores.
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I'd
like to try painting rocks - but I can't draw.
Since rocks already have
a defined shape, you don't need a lot of drawing skill. Use a pencil and
try sketching in a few of the main features; start with the head shape
if it's an animal, or the doors and windows on a house. The books take
you step by step through the process, and you can always scrub away your
sketch if you're not satisfied and try again. Many people have uncovered
their hidden artistic abilities through rock painting- you can, too!
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What
kind of paint do you use?
Any kind of acrylic is fine
for pieces you plan to keep inside. If you want to display your rock art
outside, I suggest using DecoArt's Patio Paint because it's specifically
formulated to resist weathering. Give your finished pieces a coat of clear
acrylic to seal and protect them. Seal the bottom, too, and respray as
needed to keep your colors bright.
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How
do you transfer patterns?
As I freehand my sketches,
I've never had to worry much about it, and that's why I often use simple
geometric shapes as the 'building blocks' for various subjects so that
even people who don't feel too confident about their drawing abilities
can manage to come up with fairly decent designs. Another problem, of course,
is that rocks come in so many sizes and shapes (and textures) that patterns
would never be 'one size fits all.'
For a Robin's nest I did
for a magazine article, I used regular carbon paper - like people used
to use with typewriters. I was able to get a pretty good result with that,
and I suspect that basecoating with a light color first might help. There's
also something called 'chakra' (I may not be spelling this right) paper,
that many wood painters swear by, too.
Another possible solution
would be to cut the various components out of heavy paper (head shape with
eyes and nose also cut out, etc), then use a sharpened white charcoal pencil
to trace around the shapes while pressed to the rock surface.
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Are you ready to be a
"rocker" but have a question or two?
Click
here to use our FAQ form!
