In this post, I review how to do the paint pouring technique on rocks.
Paint pouring is a fun activity and great for artists of any age! I got into paint pouring on rocks a few years ago and sometimes sell my creations in my online shop.
After making many unique rocks, I decided to write a how-to guide for anyone interested. This post is all about how I make my painted rocks and what works for me.
You can paint pour on many surfaces, but my favorite is rock. Other options are canvas, wood, glass, etc!
If you’re looking for a guide on how to make some beautiful painted rocks with paint pouring, keep reading!
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Paint Pouring On Rocks
Supplies Needed
There are a few supplies needed to get started.
- Rocks
- Acrylic Paint
- Paint Pouring Medium
- Gloves
- Cups
- Mixing Sticks
- Sealant (optional)
- Treadmill Lubricant (optional)
You don’t need expensive acrylic paint to paint pour. I like using the Artist’s Loft brand from Michaels for this but I’ve also used the cheap Apple Barrel brand as well!
Gloves are important because this is a messy activity. You’ll need plastic cups and some sort of mixing sticks. I’ll explain more below!
Where To Get Rocks
I pick up rocks to paint from my local beach. You can also buy flat beach rocks at craft stores, Amazon, Etsy, Etc.
The best rocks to paint are smooth river rocks with a nice flat surface.
Setting Up Your Area
You’ll want a well-ventilated area that you aren’t afraid to get dirty. I do this process outside on my deck with cardboard down. Even if you try to be neat, you’ll probably still make a mess. We’re pouring paint after all!
I use a roasting pan with metal mesh panels on top. It allows the paint to drop over the rocks nicely and allows the excess to drip into the pan below.
Step 1- Clean Rocks
Before I start I always ensure the rocks are clean. I put them in a sink with some soapy water and rinse them well. After cleaning them I let them air dry for a bit before moving on to the painting process.
Step 2- Mix Paint With Pouring Medium
To make fluid art, you need to “water” down your paint so it flows more easily. To do this, you can use a painting medium.
I use Floetrol as my pouring medium choice. There are DIY ways to make a paint-pouring medium, but I don’t have time to mess with that, so I use Floetrol. It’s easy to use and readily available to purchase.
The ratio is approximately 3:1, pouring medium to acrylic paint. I definitely do not measure this and eye it. You don’t want the mixture to be overly runny or too thick, but a nice consistency where it flows nicely.
I start by squeezing the paint into a cup. Then, I add the pouring medium and stir it. Since I’m not doing exact measurements, if it needs more paint or pouring medium I’ll add it until it seems right.
If you are making a color with multiple paint tubes, you can make it in the cup before adding the pouring medium.
Tip: How To Create “Cells” In Your Pours
To create the “cells” that you see in the rocks above, I add 1-2 drops of treadmill lubricant to each paint cup. Mix it in well and you will see the magic it creates once you start pouring!
Though you don’t need this to paint pour, it creates some really cool effects so I highly recommend using it!
Step 3- Create The Mix
After you have made all your desired colors for the mix, you can now add them to one cup. This cup will be what you use to pour the acrylic paint over the rocks.
I always start with white at the bottom when creating the paint mix. On the cup above, I went white, tan, dark blue, light blue, green blue, and white, and then repeated the sequence until there was enough paint in the cup.
You don’t have to do a pattern and can go wild with this if that’s what you’re going for. When paint pouring, you truly never know what the result will look like because paint will do whatever it wants. That is the fun of all this!
I like to do a variety of colors that go together in the cup. For the pour shown above, I was going for a beach/ocean theme. Adding white helps make other color variations as well.
Step 4- Pour Mix Onto Rocks
Once your mix is ready, it’s time for the fun part, paint pouring! Is there a rhyme or reason for pouring the paint on rocks? Nope, it’s all up to you!
I start at one end of a rock and go back and forth with the paint to cover it entirely. After the pour, I checked the sides of the rock to make sure it covered well. If there is a small patch that isn’t covered, you can use a wooden stick to smear the paint onto it.
These are some rocks I made with the paint cup pour I showed above! It’s cool how a single paint mixture can make many different rocks.
Step 5- Let Dry For At Least 24 Hours
Let the rocks dry for at least 24 hours before touching or sealing them.
How Do You Seal Painted Rocks?
There are many ways to seal painted rocks. When sealing rocks, you want a sealant that will hold up well to protect the painting. Many different sprays and glosses are on the market for sealing painted rocks.
I use a gloss glaze because I like the shine it gives. Plus it’s easier than dealing with resin.
You don’t have to seal your painted rocks, but I think it gives them a great finished look. If you’re placing rocks outside for decor, sealing will help protect them as well.
Be wary of placing rocks outside with heat, sun, snow, etc, as it can possibly weather them over time.
Pour Painting On Rocks
Paint-poured acrylic rocks make great decor. Place them on your desk, in your garden, potted plants, etc!
Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions or want to share your experience with acrylic paint pouring!
Thanks so much for reading.
-Amanda
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