How to paint a ladybug on a rock
How to paint a ladybug on a rock is a great starter project for rock painting. You do not need to do a lot of drawing and it requires little artistic skill. One of the great things about choosing to paint a ladybug is you can paint the entire rock and turn it into a cute project. I am going to show you how to paint the bug design on the front of the rock and then we will paint the back solid black.
First, gather your supplies. Your rock should be relatively smooth and oval shaped. It does not have to be perfect, just something that resembles a ladybug. Then, gather your acrylic paints. A classic ladybug will need yellow, red, black, and white paint (trust me on the yellow). You can be as creative as you wish and use different paint colors if you want. For brushes, I used a small flat-tipped brush and a fine point rounded end brush. You will also need an acrylic sealer such as Mod Podge or a clear spray. When I paint, I always get out a pencil, a paper plate, a couple of paper towels, and a cup of water. Here’s what you’ll need for this project:
How to Paint a Ladybug on a Rock – Supplies
- Acrylic paint – red, yellow black and white
- Paintbrushes – small flat-tipped and fine, round-end
- Pencil
- Paper plate
- Paper towels
- Water for brush cleaning
Now that you have gathered your supplies, it is time to get started. First, use your pencil to draw the head shape of the lady bug. This should be a simple half circle about one-third of the way down the front of the rock. Don’t forget that we are concentrating on the top side of the rock.
Next, use the flat brush and the yellow paint to color in the bottom three-quarters of the rock. This is the first coat of the ladybug’s body. At this point, you are probably wondering why I am having you paint a coat of yellow on a red ladybug. Acrylic paint tends to dry a slightly lighter shade that what the paint looks like when it is wet. Red acrylic paint has a tendency to appear deep pink after it dries. The yellow underneath help to make the red color pop. Let this coat of paint dry. Acrylic paint dries quickly if you are using a light coat.
Acrylic paint tends to dry a slightly lighter shade than what the paint looks like when it is wet.
Once the yellow is dry, go over the same area with 2 coats of red paint. Allow time for the paint to dry between coats.
After the red dries, the next color to go on will be the black. Keep using the flat ended brush to fill in the head area. When using the black, pay attention to the line between the black head and the red body. This is the time to make sure the head is the shape you want it to be. Then, change brushes to the fine point and paint a line down the middle of the red back. This will separate the two wings of your ladybug. Give this paint a few minutes to dry before moving on. An option at this point is to paint 2 antennae coming from the black head and onto the red back.
Finally, you are ready for the detail work on your ladybug.
Finally, you are ready for the detail work on your ladybug. Start with the spots on the back. Any easy way to paint small spots is to paint parenthesis with the fine point brush.. Start with the left “(“ and then the right “)” and fill in any open area. The spots should be random and spread out across both wings. Then, get a small dab of white paint and use your clean, dry fine point brush to paint on the eyes using the same parenthesis technique. A tiny dot of white in the middle of the eye completes the painting.
After the dyes are dry, turn the rock over and paint the underside solid black with the flat end brush.
Once all the paint is dry, you are ready to seal. Sealing will waterproof your rock so it can be displayed outside if you like. I do this step outside since it can be a little fumy. Place the rocks in a box and spray over it lightly with the sealer. Follow the instructions on your spray bottle for dry time. Be sure to spray the other side once it is dry.
How to paint a ladybug on a rock – Conclusion
And that’s how to paint a ladybug on a rock. Your painted ladybug rock is now finished and would make an adorable addition to your garden or a thoughtful gift.
If you’re looking for more inspiration check out our article on 10 Ladybug Rock Painting Ideas for beginners.
I also love the ladybug rock painting projects from The Flying Couponer and The Things We’ll Make.
Happy painting!
