Rock Painting Tips

  • You’ll find rocks at your local garden centres or plant nurseries, river rocks are best.
  • Rocks should be clean and free of sand. Wash in warm, soapy water if needed.
  • If you want to leave part of the rock exposed, paint on a thin layer of Varnish which will soak into the rock and bring out the colour. Follow that with a thin layer of primer to create a good clear base for your paint to stick to.
  • If the rock has a rough surface, give it an undercoat of Primer, this creates a sort of canvas base for your paint to stick to better.
  • To bring out the best in your paint colours, first undercoat the area with 2 to 3 layers of Lily White paint or 1 to 2 layers of White Chalk Paint.
  • Stick labels on the back of rocks with Primer then give 2 to 3 coats of Varnish
  • To seal rocks, give 2 or 3 coats of Varnish

Care of Brushes

  • When dipping into paint, dip only half way up the bristle part, not right up to the metal area
  • Rinse gently in water
  • When painting for a while with one colour, don’t allow the paint to start thickening or hardening on the brush, rather rinse, pat dry and continue
  • Don’t leave the brush standing in water, rinse and pat dry with a cloth / tissue
  • When finished painting for the day, you can gently wash the brush in Brush Cleaner and warm water, rinse, pat dry shape the bristles gently with your fingers
  • Never push down hard on the front of the brush when painting or cleaning the brush, making the bristles splay out, this damages the top part holding them in shape