Kick-Start Creativity: Rock Painting

Craft by Sarah, staff member, Alderney Gate Public Library

Rock painting is a fun way to explore your creative side and add a touch of whimsy to your garden. Whether you choose to add some painted creepy-crawlies to your flower bed or share a Kindness Rock, opens a new window in your neighbourhood, we challenge you to kick-start your creativity by painting rocks using materials found around your house.

Painting a ladybug

While we encourage you to paint whatever your heart desires, we will show you how to paint your very own pet ladybug.

Supplies

  1. A rock
  2. Paint (red, white, black)
  3. A paintbrush
  4. Water
  5. A rag or paper towel
  6. A paint palette or paper plate

You can also add some glitz and glamour to your painting with optional supplies like paint pens, googly eyes, and stencils if you have them.

Step 1: Paint the rock red.

Paint the whole rock red, even the parts that you'll be covering up with other paint colours. Don't forget to let the paint dry between layers.

Step 2: Add the spots.

Now it is time to give your ladybug a head and spots using black paint. Try making the spots different sizes.

Step 3: Paint on the eyes

Make some white spots to start the eyes or you can try using googly eyes. If you use paint, wait for the white paint to dry before adding black dots for the pupils. Now you have your very own pet rock ladybug!

Other designs

One of the great things about rock painting is that the sky really is the limit in terms of what you can create. Have a look at the shape and colour of the rock to see if a specific idea jumps out at you. Maybe the rock you found on Crystal Crescent Beach looks just like a heart, or the stone you found at Point Pleasant Park would be perfect for a painting of a tiger. Let your imagination guide you!

We would love to see what you created! You can share all your amazing creations on Instagram or Twitter at #KickstartCreativityHfX.