How to paint a whimsical rock turtle in 10 easy steps.




“Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out!”

(1).
Step one is to scrub your rock really well. Paint will not stick to a dirty rock!

I am painting a small turtle but this works great for any size rock. Bumpy rocks don't work as well unless you want to paint a horny toad. These turtle rocks are a fun surprise in your garden ... tucking them in places they'll be noticed but not just out in the open ... very fun! You can have a solitary turtle, a family, whatever. Once I painted eggs to go with one I gave as a gift.



(2).
Step two is to dry your rocks ... they absorb water... thirsty, you see.



(3).
Step three is let the rock air dry. You can place outdoors if you're in a hurry, but remember, I'm sleeping still and won't be back right away.



(4).
Step four is to get your supplies ready.

Something to cover the work space like plastic or an old towel
pencil or sharpie
Craft paint (any paint works!)
Brushes
Paper towel or a rag for wiping paint off your brush
Container of water
paper plate or palette to hold paint on
Clear Spray Sealer
Camera

Have fun!

(5).
Step five is to paint your turtle green…any shade of green is great. You may paint everything the same shade of green or top one shade and the underside another. Green is a good base, but you can go with any color at all as long as the design looks like a turtle.


Set aside to dry. Go read some All Things Plants forums while you wait for the paint to dry. Or do the dishes. Your choice. You’ll most likely need a second coat of paint so repeat the above. (If you were painting a lot of turtle rocks, which is what I would usually do, they dry fast enough by the time I finish the last one.)

I am painting the lighter green turtle the same on both sides and the darker one with with a lighter bottom side. This part only has one coat...see how streaky it is? It needs a second coat.

(6).
Step six is to decide if you want to paint a funky turtle, realistic, whimsical or in between. I usually paint whimsical because that’s my natural style but I can paint from cartoon to realistic. Someday I’ll paint several styles and slip them into this thread so you can see the difference.

Here are some clip art designs that will give you some ideas but you may also google turtles for thousands of ideas.

(7).
Step seven is to use your sharpie or pencil to mark the lines on your turtles back and where you want his or her face to be. This will cover with paint...I like a white pencil best but used a sharpie so you could see.




I'm showing you easy step by steps because, while many people do paint, lots more don't.

(8).
Step eight is to begin blocking in the shapes with color. Any color. There will be lots of detail after the block in. You'll need 2 coats again.

Have fun, be brave, stick your neck out!

Let dry. (do some dishes? Forums at ATP? Your choice)

(9).
Step nine is detail time. This is the best part...it takes a basic turtle to a special one with a personality. I use a stylus to make dots (I love dots!) but an old ball point pen works well too if the ink is dried up. Look at the green bars on the left and compare them to the ones on the right. Dots make things pop. Let dry.




Next, paint the inside of the turtle’s shell very dark green or black and let dry. When dry, add the turtles face. When the head is dry, paint the eyes, mouth and any extra lines you want. The tail is last and now you have your first turtle!

Optional: you may paint the underside if you want to go that far or just sign your name. I usually just do this unless it’s going to be part of a gift set.



(10).
Step ten is to spray or brush the clear sealer on. The shinier the better! Chris likes Behr Wetlook Sealer which I haven’t tried but will. For this project I used DELTA CERAMCOAT Satin Interior Varnish. You use water to clean your brush and it dries quickly. For exterior use, make sure you protect it with an exterior spray too. Allow to dry, and spray or brush on one more time.

Be sure to bring them in for hibernation in the winter!



Have fun and show us the turtles you, your children, grandchildren paint. These are such fun to tuck into the garden.

I deleted all the comments prior to finishing this tutorial...but now you can ask questions and talk about the turtles all you want to!

Oh Becky....it's BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Becky, you make it look so easy. They are just adorable! Every year when my nieces and nephews come here on vacation for a few weeks we do some craft projects. This looks like a perfect one for this year. Thanks for the great instructions!

Cute little turtles, it was worth the wait. but I knew it would be.

Thanks Chris and Charleen. Girls, seriously, these aren't just for kids. I make serious ones too (will have to make one sometime again) but having them in your garden is fun!

At least this big kid thinks so!

Awesome!!!!!

I will do this one day. I wonder where I can find a rock that big in the city......

Go to a garden center, they should have rocks...Landscape rocks is they will call them. or river rocks..

Mine are small. But yes, along river banks...or at the garden centers. I made a family once for a client that has 6 children....it was such fun. Mama and Papa, 2 girl turtles (eyelashes and pink touches) and 4 boys. You cna really personalize these a lot if you want.

I love this...Becky you are so talented! I might be looking at my collection of rocks in a whole new light now!

Debbie....you will, I promise! I have a pile on my balcony because when I see a good one....I bring it home. Pet rocks.

Rock painting is as old as the hills. So much can be painted and once I get more things done around her, my home, life in general, I'll paint some more samples.

IN THE MEANTIME.....anyone can make some! Don't wait for me!

They have several books out and they have great ideas in them too. I think I even got one at Lowes...

Oh you can Google rock painting and find lots of ideas.

**Oval rocks make wonderful, long lasting Easter eggs.
**Round ones make perfect whimsical clocks that commemorate a special time.
**Heart shapes are a given...very fun!

When you see a smooth rock, and think "wow, that looks like a _____" pick it up and paint it!

They make great paperweights too...they aren't just for the garden.

I went to our local landscaping place today to get some. Picked up 14 small ones and asked the price. He asked what I wanted them for. I told him and he said take the stones for free and bring me back a painted turtle. How cool was that!

While I naturally paint folk art or whimsically, I can paint detailed too and do when required. It makes my brain think more though.

I like rocks that are made into somethings best but this man, Ron Clifford, painted a lizard on a rock, "trompe l'oeil" style (to fool the eye) and it's wonderful! It would be great for the garden.