My word for this year is expand – expand as in being open to other art and other substrates besides fabric. You know how I love to draw mandalas. I also love rocks and petroglyphs. I’ve been wanting to put those two loves together.
After some research I decided to draw on my rocks with white ink. I don’t remember ever using a dip pen, so this was a new experience. I started drawing in the center of the rock and working outward.
I see a lot of painted rocks that stop here, but I wanted some color. I used the dip pen and colored the mandala with Dr. Ph Martin’s Bombay India Ink. I bought this small set on Amazon to test them out.
And here is my rock painted.
I liked the look of the ink on the rock, and the ease of painting, but the colors weren’t true. The magenta, green, and even the yellow were fine, but the blue didn’t show up as blue. However, I still like the inks, but I wanted stronger colors.
I decided I’d paint the rock with acrylic paints using the dip pen. I tried painting with a small brush, but I had trouble controlling the paint. This was much brighter.
Then Sherry suggested I use color pencils. Here is my rock painted with colored pencils. The colored pencils give a chalk-like effect. I liked that too.
If you are interested in painting on rocks, you don’t have to draw mandalas. Draw whatever you like. However, I would definitely practice on paper before moving to drawing on the rock. You could also draw in pencil, and then cover with ink or pen. Here are a few rocks I started on.
I plan to seal the rocks with a varnish that contains UV filters. That way it will protect the design from handling, and also the elements if put outdoors.
I really love drawing on rocks. Using the dip pen was so much fun and really easy. I was disappointed that the inks weren’t brighter, but they would be fine if I painted the rock white. But that said, I still liked the way they looked on the rocks. My acrylic paints are old and I didn’t have much of a color selection, so before I draw another set I want to pick up a few more colors. Lastly, the colored pencils worked too.
I really love those rocks with mandalas made of dots. I tried my hand at that art last year, but not on rocks. That will be my next adventure with these rocks.
Meanwhile, one of my Lenten Roses has opened. This is my first time for them to bloom since I planted them last year. They are so beautiful.
Been working on a couple more ice dyeing techniques to add to my Icy Delights online class. I have been updating it with new material since it opened last May. On this last experiment I got an unexpected result – a kitty face on the fabric. Can you see it?
Thanks for dropping by.
Just wondering if those of us who have previously taken the class will get the updates?
Nicely done. It never occurred to me that coloured pencils would adhere to rocks. I may just have to try that. After all, I certainly don’t have enough other crafts that I do. lol
Love the kitty face. And I love the colour palette you used.
Deb, I send an update every month (except last month) to everyone who has signed up for my class. You should have been receiving one monthly since September. Usually when I add something new in the email, I eventually add it to the classroom. If you are not receiving my emails, check you spam folder. And let me know if you’ve not been receiving them. They come directly from the classroom.
KJ, I was surprised too! I know what you mean – so much to try, so little time!! Thanks.
Love your rock mandalas. Have you posted anything on how to draw mandalas, or is there a resource you could recommend to learn?
Beautiful paintings on your rocks, Lynda. I also love the ice dyed kitty. I like the way the ink looked on the rocks with the white line drawing. You come up with such amazing art work!
I do see the kitty in the fabric! Fabulous. Also that Lenten Rose…OMG the most beautiful I’ve see.
Barbara, Thanks!
Connie, Thanks!
Hi Suzanne, I’ve not posted how to draw them but you can find lots of you tube videos with instructions. However, I took Alisa Burke’s Mandala class (love her online classes) and that’s what got me started on drawing them. Here is my very first post mentioning her class and some of my first attempts. https://lyndaheines.blog/2015/07/mandala-madness/ One thing I mention in that article is the more you repeat, the less mistakes you see. And of course, the more you do the better you get. As I said, I’d draw on paper first. I moved from paper to fabric and now to rocks!
I love your rocks. Your mandala drawings are very nice and you’ve obviously had a lot of practice doing them.
Sherrie, Thanks! I’ve really enjoyed drawing them on paper and fabric. Working on rocks is a bit different – I get some resistance from the rock, but it’s a fun challenge.