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Rocks.
A cryptic one-word introduction to an article that has to do with the painting and adornment of rocks, there is a lot that one can do with these seemingly innocuous objects.
Rocks can be of many types, sizes, and textures- they can be jagged or round, clunky or lightweight, weathered or washed, smooth by waves. The art of rock painting follows not just one universally applicable rule but many distinct schools of thought and processes.
One can draw images out of picturesque landscapes, miniature animals, faces, and patterns. The object that produces the image can be a pen, a brush, or a Sharpie.
Like I hinted earlier, the possibilities are plentiful.
1. Wintry terrains
Seasons can, and have inspired in the past, the most wonderful paintings. Use a rock as the base for your very own depiction of the colder times. The most popular images usually feature a snowy spectacle, sometimes accompanied by a sparkling Christmas tree.
Innovation is always a good idea- stir things up by adding a scene from the Antarctic, complete with penguins!
2. Floral Bouquet
Floral designs are mostly always bound to work.
Bonus? They are easy to paint and add color and brightness to the rock.
3. Fall Frolic
Adorn the rocks of your choice with fall-inspired images and motifs- red and gold leaves, a grinning pumpkin, or even a tumbler of steaming coffee and cinnamon drinks.
4. Rain
A rainy day has served as an inspiration to many artists, showing up in their work as that hazy, elusive quality that renders even the grimmest landscapes soft and appealing.
Attempt to recreate the same on rocks, even if the finished product might not be as detailed as it might have been on canvas.
5. Oceanic Brilliance
Picture a typical day the beach- lazy waves lapping at the feet, a sense of blissful warmth, swaying palms in the distance.
Now, imagine the same scene imprinted onto a rock, brought to life with paints and skillful brush strokes. You could even have your reminder of the beach painted on a rock- may be a seashell or an interesting cocktail.
6. Summer
Another season, and possibly the best in terms of leisure activities and the time in which to practice them.
Summer themes are varied and wonderful- they range from easily recognizable to coded and confusing.
Depict a blazing sunset, a limpid lake, or a melting ice cream.
7. Rainbow rocks
Now you do not have to wait around for an actual rainbow, you can just emblazon a rock with one.
8. Animals
Animal paintings might be the most popular of all the ideas on the list, so far. The options, unsurprisingly, are vast and varied.
There are many styles to choose from, as well- some people prefer to paint cartoon-ish versions of animals( common features include large eyes and happy expressions), while some opt for hyper-realistic and heavily detailed drawings.
9. Idyllic Countryside
I do not know about you, but there is something about the country that has always appealed to my sense of art. Countrysides are also quite simple to render- the green meadows, the placid livestock, and tiny houses dotted on the horizon.
Needless to say, they also make ideal subjects for rock paintings.
10. Birds
Turn amateur ornithologist and paint your rocks vivid and radiant, to replicate the brilliant colorings of birds.
Specific details are also welcome if you deem yourself capable or bringing to life a robin, a kingfisher, or a jungle babbler. Take your pick.
11. Optical Illusions
If you are someone who delights in optical illusions, you might want to try recreating one on a rock. It works!
12. The Night Sky
Another subject rife with possibility, the night sky has always been a source of mystery and wonderment. It has inspired numerous works of art, including Van Gogh’s Starry Night, a painting that remains to this day instantly recognizable and unparalleled in imagination and mastery.
13. Galaxies
The great beyond. Use a rock as the canvas for depicting a galaxy, and not just our own.
The best part? This project can be a way to let your imagination loose.
14. Stars and Constellations
In line with the last two points, stars are another subject that lends itself well to painting- whether it is depicted as a faraway pinprick of light or as a shimmering heavenly body flung into outer space.
You can even recreate a constellation, taking preference and space into consideration.
15. Hearts
Not the anatomical depiction, although it is a viable option if you happen to fancy Biology.
16. Quotes
An odd choice, some would say, and not exactly pictorial. But for the lovers of literature, inscribing a quote onto a rock makes perfect sense. And with good reason.
Use a larger rock, for obvious reasons. And do not forget to stylize your handwriting before you embark on the process of inscription.
17. Cactus Rocks
Simple and fun to make, cactus rocks are all the rage.
Some bloggers are choosing to decorate flower pots with cactus rocks and the results are surprisingly brilliant.
18. A rock on a rock
For fans of irony and deadpan humor.
19. Vines
Arguably easier than painting a flower, but with a similar floral effect, vines can be extensively flowered or just shoots of green steam with unfurled leaves.
20. Mountains and Hills
The ideal project for someone who loves the hills and nature. Additionally, the mountains are quite easy to recreate and require little work.
21. Waterfalls and Mountain Springs
Something is calming about a mountain spring. Even thinking about or visualizing one can be therapeutic, it must have something to do with the peace and serenity running water generates.
Draw a waterfall on a stone and keep it by you.
22. Zendangles
A term used to refer to a collection of dangling, often bejeweled rocks, zendangles are fun AND easy.
What’s more, there is no wrong way of painting them- so it is very easy to turn an error into a whim and a choice.
23. Christmas Rocks
A way to brighten up the holiday season, Christmas rocks can feature anything that has connections to the pictorial depiction of Christmas.
A Christmas tree, Santa, snowflakes, and holly, Rudolph, or simply a pile of wrapped presents.
24. Forest Flora
It is always a good idea to delve into specifics while painting. And this idea does just that- it deals with the recreation of forest flora on rocks- a plethora of flowers and trees that are native to particular forests.
25. Farmland Frolic
A collection of rocks that depict atypical farmland scenes- picket fences, enthusiastic collies, and clucking chickens.
26. Easter Rocks
Made for the Easter Rock hunt, it is very simple to curate a collection of Easter-inspired rocks.
The most popular images, of course, feature the Easter Bunny.
27. Woods
Think empty roads, desolate groves, a forest floor covered with crunchy lives, and green light filtering in through the branches.
28. Cards on the Table
Rocks that feature playing cards.
29. Book Covers
A rock painting idea that is sure to be widely accepted and appreciated by bibliophiles paint a series of your favorite book covers on rocks. You might even throw in a couple of character images if you happen to be particularly skilled.
30. Thanksgiving
Another holiday-inspired painting idea, thanksgiving is the holiday that commemorates and celebrates giving thanks. And, food.
Create a thanksgiving inspired line of painted rocks, with traditional fall colorings and a series of delicious dishes.
31. Sunrise/Sunset
Always a good idea for a painting, sunrises, and sunsets lend themselves admirably to all kinds of artistic vision.
32. Sharpie Sketches
Fun and without the hassle of requiring too much time, sharpie sketches do require an innate skill in drawing. That said, the results are almost always satisfying.
33. Mosaics
With the symmetrical display of colors and shapes, you can never go wrong with mosaics.
34. Paw Prints
Odd as though it may sound upon the first mention, paw prints make for good rock paintings. There is also the bonus of the prints being naturally easy to recreate, and the result being adorable.
35. Mandalas
Similar to how mosaics look, but far more intricate.
Attempt only if the possessor of sharp pens and a steady hand.
36. Snow Fall
A winter-inspired subject that travels beyond the realm of just the season, images of falling snow on rocks hold universal appeal.
37. Disney Characters
Disneyesque rock paintings, could anything be cooler?
38. Desert Storm
Not the most popular choice for painters perhaps, but bearing the capability of something really rare if executed properly.
There are quite a few desert backdrops to choose from- ranging from what is usual and expected to something that might combine the reality with traces of science fiction.
39. Minion Rocks
The Minions have been emblazoned on almost every article of clothing, decor, or accessory, so why not a rock?
40. Fishes
Fishes, or aquatic life in general. A good subject choice when the result should be colorful and interesting.
41. Dinosaur Rock
In an odd and undefinable way, painting a dinosaur on the rock seems to make perfect sense. Or, multiple dinosaurs- there is nothing wrong with abundance.
42. Magic 8-ball Rock
Not the kind that gives you vague but accurate answers, but the kind that will look cool on your shelf anyway.
43. Rock Sharks
Rocks made to look like mini sharks, complete with the teeth-baring.
44. Rock Ghosts
Sheet ghosts, on rocks. Let your imagination run wild.
45. Aliens
Aliens make for great art subjects, and even more so if you paint them to look goofy and whimsical.
Arm yourself with rocks and green paint, the job is half done there.
46. Candy Corn Rock
A rock that resembles candy corn, right down to the shape and coloring!
47. Zombie Rocks
Another Halloween- inspired idea, zombie rocks are both for spooks and laughs.
48. Ladybug
Ladybugs on and as rocks. How quaint.
49. Vintage RV
An ode to vintage camping and sleeping in RVs or better still, under the stars in tents, a vintage RV on a rock is sure to look cool.
50. Donut Rocks
Inedible, but just as capable of inciting hunger as the original!
51. Panda Rocks
Fat and sleepy, pandas are unanimously agreed to be the cutest animal there is. So if you happen to chance upon a hefty rock, you do know what is to be done, don’t you?
In conclusion, pebbles or rocks lend themselves to a lot of different kinds of painting. Inspiration is everywhere, only if you know where to look for it!
