I Enlist my Kids for this fun Paint Pouring on Rocks Project
Paint pouring on rocks is a very popular form of art right now. You can see it everywhere from canvas painting to furniture painting. The basic concept is that paint is mixed with a pouring medium. This allows the paint to become more fluid and the surface is covered simply by pouring the paint on it and allowing the paint to spread. Sometimes, the paint is pushed around to create the desired effect. Usually, multiple colors are used. The paint does not mix, but rather displays a swirled pattern. I really like watching videos of this technique. It is very soothing to watch and the patterns are never the same.
I started thinking about pouring paint on rocks. I hesitated with this idea at first because pouring mediums can be rather expensive. So I began to research alternatives to art store pouring medium. Then, I can across an article about Elmer’s Glue All and its many uses in the crafting world. I was surprised to learn that Elmer’s Glue All can be used as a pouring medium when mixed with acrylic paint. I was extremely excited about this idea since this glue is inexpensive and widely available. I describe the process to my son, who is 9, and he was eager to help me.
Getting Started with Paint Pouring
The first thing I had to do was build a work tray for pouring the paint. As you can imagine, there is a lot of run off with the paint and this process can get very messy. I looked around my kitchen for something I could use to make an elevated tray that would be disposable. I found a 9×13 disposable foil baking pan and a package of wooden BBQ skewers.
I set to work poking the pointed end of the skewer through the pan, creating an elevated surface, much like a cooling rack. Be sure to have an adult do this step, the pointed ends of the skewers can be a little dangerous for kids. I left about an inch of space in between each skewer. Place your rocks on the skewers to check that it will hold the weight before moving on.
My son loves paint pouring on rocks – especially picking the paint colors. He went with a blue and purple theme. The colors he selected were all from Apple Barrel Colors. The shades were Concord Grape, Caribbean, Snow White, Bright Blue, and Cloudless. Apple Barrel Paint
Mixing the Paint
We poured a small amount of each color into separate paper cups. The amount can vary based on how much paint you are wanting to make. The paint will spread, so it does not take a lot to cover small rocks. I filled the bottom of a 9oz paper cup and went up about ¼ of an inch.
Now for the Elmer’s Glue All. Be sure to use actual Elmer’s Glue All. Other formulas of white glue such as school glue or washable glue will not work as a paint pouring medium.
Mix equal parts of paint to glue. I filled the paper cups to where they were about ½ inch full in total. Then add a little water, about a tablespoon, and mix together in the paper cups. The mixture should be fluid, but thicker than just water.
Starting Your Pour on the Rocks
You can now begin to pour the paint. Start with the darkest color and work your way to the lightest color. You do not need to wait in between colors. You can pour your color over the entire rock, or just so some sections like I did. If you go over the same area with another color, the top color is what is going to show. The excess paint will run off of the rocks and into the baking pan.
When I got to the white paint, I decided to just use the flat end of a skewer and put a few dots of paint on the rocks.
You will have a few thick layers of paint on your rocks, it will take a little while to dry. The best part was, I was able to put the tray and skewers in a paper sack and just throw it away. I love a messy project with easy clean-up.
Once your rocks are dry you can move on to sealing or use your brightly colored masterpieces as a foundation for more creativity – like adding stencil art.
Sealing Your Paint Poured Rocks
Once the paint is dry, you will need to seal your rocks. I like to use a spray acrylic sealer such as Modpodge. I placed the rocks on a paper plate to contain the mess and did this step outside. Spray sealer can be a bit fumy. Follow the directions on the can for dry time.
Paint Pouring on Rocks – Conclusion
Our paint-poured rocks are now ready for display, gift-giving, or hiding. My son loved the look of these rocks and declared that they were space rocks. He put them in our garden where everyone could enjoy them.
Happy Painting!
