Stones can't just be painted for indoor use. With suitable pens, techniques and varnishes they become weatherproof and can therefore also be used decoratively outdoors. Stones with a smooth surface are best suited for this. They can be found in the forest, but also on the banks of rivers and lakes.
How are stones painted?
Stones can be painted with a wide variety of colors and varnishes. The most common paint is acrylic varnish in liquid form. A primer and a final seal ensure durability and improve color intensity. In addition to nature images, fictional characters, greetings and patterns are also suitable.
Preparation
Before you actually start painting the stones, good planning is recommended. In addition to choosing the right color or a corresponding varnish, matching stones also have to be collected.
Paints and varnishes
There areno limits when choosing a color or varnish. Basically, all nuances and colors are suitable. However, depending on the nature of the stone, individual tones may be less visible than others.
In addition, it is up to you whether you use waterproof paint directly or not. Particularly when designing stones for outdoor use, a subsequentsealing is advisable, especially with water-soluble paints. Otherwise there is a risk that the motif will fade prematurely due to adverse weather conditions.
With the help of paints and varnishes, stones can be individually designed for indoor and outdoor use. Sealing makes the surface more robust against weather conditions.
For indoor use:When used indoors, a final sealing of the surface can be avoided. After the stone has been cleaned of coarse dirt particles with water, either the desired color or a primer can be applied directly.
For outdoor use:ASealing is recommended after painting, especially when used outdoors. This significantly increases weather resistance.
Which stones are suitable for painting?
A variety of stones can be found for free in nature. A particularly well-known example is pebbles, which can be found almost everywhere. However, not all specimens are suitable for painting. Particularly very rough, heavily weathered and heavily overgrown pieces are difficult to use. For beautification with paints and varnishes,smooth stones are recommended.
The stones that are as smooth as possible are suitable for even painting. These can be natural or industrially ground.
With a bit of luck, you can find smooth stones near bodies of water. Due to the constant movement of the water, the stones are further sanded down and given a uniform shape. You can also find what you're looking for here:
- Aquaristics and terrariums
- hardware store
- Craft supplies
- Roofers (especially for slate)
- Decoration shops
- Stonemason
Techniques and materials for indoor and outdoor use
The choice of color or tool for painting the stone influences the subsequent appearance of the decorative object. Some of the techniques presented below are particularly suitable for outdoor use due to their water resistance. But the other colors presented can also be used for outdoor use with a suitable primer and sealant.
Techniques
Acrylic paint
Acrylic is a popular material because, in addition to its high opacity, it is easy to mix. The colors are available in tubes and cans, which also allow for easy storage. In contrast to pens or markers, a brush can easily color a large area in a short time. The colors from Rich Master Arcylic (€13.00 at Amazon) are also characterized by their quick-drying and non-toxic ingredients.
Acrylic pens
Acrylic pens are a popular counterpart to acrylic paints. With them you can work much more delicately without having to forego the advantages of acrylic paint. The 12-piece set from Uni Posca contains all common color variations including black and white. In addition to being used for painting stones, the acrylic pens can also be used on many other common surfaces such as glass, plastic, metal, porcelain and fabric.
Pigment markers
Pigment markers are also colloquially known as fineliners. They are mainly used for drawing on paper. The waterproof pens are available with particularly fine tips of up to 0.05 millimeters. This makes them particularly suitable for very fine lines. The 9-piece set, which also includes a brush (brush-like marker), offers a selection of the most common line widths.
Ink pens
Ink pens look similar to the well-known fineliners. They are also available in different thicknesses and widths. In contrast to fineliners, the pens can be refilled again and again using cartridges.
More
In addition to the materials already mentioned, the following utensils are also suitable for designing the stone.
Glass paints: Glass paints are primarily known for painting glass surfaces. They are also suitable for stones, porcelain and ceramics. However, due to the very liquid consistency, caution is advised when applying. Glass paints are therefore not suitable for delicate motifs with many details.
Color blockers: The use of color blockers is primarily known from textile design. The ingredients they contain prevent the individual colors from mixing or bleeding. By applying a thin layer of color blocker, different shades and techniques can be combined.
Felt-tip pens: The standard felt-tip pens with water-soluble ink are only partially suitable for painting stones. Markers used for designing stones are characterized by the use of permanent ink.
Foundation
Using a primer before designing the stones can be useful. However, in some cases it may also be unnecessary. By applying a primer, the surface is optimally prepared for subsequent painting. The main advantages are the compensation of existing unevenness and the specification of a surface. In return, however, the original, natural surface of the rock disappears.
The most important properties of a good foundation are high coverage, quick drying, harmless ingredients and easy processing. Solo Goya Triton acrylic paint is also suitable for diluting and lightening other colors.
Sealing
Sealing is recommended, especially when designing stones foroutdoor areas. This protects the applied motif from weather influences such as rain, snow and sun and thus maintains its durability. The hairspray often used in the household is not suitable in this case due to the changing climatic conditions.
In addition to liquid paints, spray paints are also ideal for sealing. Stanger's matt spray paint offers colorless and at the same time elastic protection for almost all surfaces. In addition to the compatibility of the ingredients, water-based production is important when selecting a suitable product. Alternatives containing solvents can lead to blurring of the painted motifs.
Instructions: Painting stones
When painting your stones, there are no limits to your ideas. You are completely free to design, particularly with regard to the choice of motif or font. Depending on the size and nature of the stone, not all ideas are suitable for every type of rock piece.
Patterns are particularly suitable for familiarizing yourself with the material and structure.
Material
- Stones
- Acrylic paints for priming and subsequent painting
- Stencil or stippling brush (alternatively: sponge with clip) and
- a small pointed brush or an old toothbrush
Instructions
- Remove dirt and deposits from stones with a brush and allow to dry
- Apply primer with dark acrylic paint (night sky)
- Apply clouds in various shades of blue and purple using a stencil brush, stippling brush or sponge in a clip.
- Let dry for at least 15 minutes
- Apply stars irregularly with a pointed brush or toothbrush and white paint
- Seal motif with spray paint for outdoor use
Ideas and motifs
The stones can be designed according to your own wishes and ideas. Below we will introduce you to some beginner-friendly but also more difficult motifs and ideas.
Simple motifs
For beginners, it is recommended to start with less complex motifs. It is particularly easy to design a stone family made of stones of different sizes. These are painted with eyes and can then be housed in a self-made house made of branches, tree bark and moss.
Animals
Bulky pieces of rock are particularly suitable for creating animals. Instead of painting the entire stone, a typical animal face is only painted on the front.
Cats
For more experienced artists, round stones are particularly suitable for completely depicting a cat's face. But it is also possible to paint the entire body if you choose a sufficiently large and elongated stone.
Beetles and Insects
Stones painted with beetles fit particularly well into a naturally designed garden. Ladybugs are a popular motif because they are associated with luck. With oval stones of different sizes, you can attract an entire family of ladybugs to your garden. You can let your imagination run wild when designing ladybugs. The motifs are by no means limited to insects that actually exist. Particularly colorful specimens can be easily integrated into otherwise rather monotonous areas.
Birds
A variety of birds can be depicted entirely on stones. Choosing a suitable piece as a body is therefore of great importance.
Owl motifs are primarily characterized by their large eyes. Oval and flat stones are recommended for the body. Since the owl can turn its head very far, a side view is also possible in addition to a frontal view. When it comes to designing the plumage, you can base your design on natural conditions or use bright colors.
Native birds such as the blue tit, the robin and the sparrow are just as popular a motif as the budgie, the canary or the hummingbird. Because of their well-proportioned body shape, penguins can also be used to completely design a stone.
Unicorns
Especially when painting unicorns, there are no limits to the choice of colors. In addition, pens in metallic colors can be used to create shiny accents.
Occasions
Stones can be given as gifts for a variety of occasions. The individual design options make them an ideal addition to gifts.
Christmas
In addition to greeting messages such as “Merry Christmas” or “Merry Christmas”, theme-related images of angels or Christmas trees can also be created.
Easter
The Easter season is primarily characterized by colorful eggs. Unique Easter eggs can be created from oval stones using bright colors, which are a great change when searching. But animal motifs such as rabbits and chickens can also be depicted on larger specimens.
Birthday
In addition to the delicious birthday cake, you can design some stones as muffins with colorful icing and toppings or add funny monsters to the table decoration for a child's birthday.
Halloween
The time around Halloween is characterized by pumpkins and scary faces. Instead of a carved pumpkin, stones with gruesome facial features can also be placed in front of the front door.
Grave and burial
In addition to individual motifs, angels and flowers are also common images. Especially with this sensitive topic, you should listen to your gut feeling in order to manifest your thoughts.
If a suitable stone is not available, a mold cast in stone can be purchased and personalized together with the relatives. Here too, use acrylic paints and seal them with a suitable spray to protect the stone from the effects of the weather.
Nature motifs
Flowers
Basically any type of stone is suitable for floral motifs. In addition to just depicting a flower, it is also possible to paint entire plants. Please note, however, that larger motifs usually require a larger area.
The firmament and special celestial phenomena such as rainbows can also be represented on a stone by using many different colors.
Painting pieces of rock with a “sea” theme is a useful addition to a maritime interior or exterior design. Possible motifs are water, beach or lighthouse.
Patterns and Mandalas
Very even stones are particularly recommended for painting symmetrical patterns and mandalas. It is also recommended to pre-paint the pattern with chalk. However, uneven pieces of rock can also be used for irregular drawings.
Stones for the garden
When designing stones for the garden, natural motifs are particularly recommended. In addition to flowers and other plants, insects and beetles can also be optimally integrated. Larger stones can be labeled with the house or parcel number.
If you don't want to paint the stone but still want to decorate your garden, there are colorful and beautiful stone and clay signs for the garden.
Alternatives to stones
All of the previously presented materials for painting stones are also suitable for a variety of other surfaces. In addition to natural objects, the list below also includes everyday objects.
- Glass (windows, mirrors, vases)
- Wood (branches, logs, trunks)
- ceramic
- Plastic
- Leather
- Canvas
- Metal
- Shells
- Paper / cardboard
- Slate (tablets)
- Snail shells
- Textiles
- Clay (shards)
In addition to stones, there are a variety of other natural materials that can be painted.
When designing these materials, there are no limits to your imagination when it comes to the choice of motif and font.
FAQ
Which paints and pens for painting stones are waterproof?
In order to achieve high resistance of the motif, especially against moisture, it is recommended to use waterproof paints and pens. These include acrylic paints, acrylic pens, pigment markers, ink pens, glass paints and special felt-tip pens. In addition, the surface can be protected with a seal.
Which paints and pens are suitable for painting stones?
Acrylic paints, glass paints and color blockers are recommended for painting larger areas. Pens or markers, on the other hand, are much more handy if you want to apply more detailed motifs. In addition to acrylic pens, pigment markers, ink pens and felt-tip pens are suitable. When choosing, make sure that the colors have good coverage and only contain harmless ingredients.
How are painted stones made waterproof?
Basically, the use of a waterproof paint already offers initial protection against washing out. This is already sufficient for stones that are laid out indoors. For stones that are to be located outdoors, it is also recommended to apply a sealant. This creates an additional transparent surface. Clear varnishes for high weather resistance.
What can you paint on stones?
There are no limits to your wishes and ideas when it comes to choosing a motif. In addition to the complete redesign of stones, selective beautification while maintaining the original surface is also common. Popular themes include animals, special occasions, good luck charms, nature motifs and all kinds of patterns and mandalas.
Which stones are suitable for painting?
Both large and small stones are suitable for painting. Pebbles that are only a few millimeters in size can also be painted, but are more suitable for simple motifs. A smooth surface is recommended but not necessary.
