How to paint and track rocks

Step 1: Find your rock

Its as simple as finding a rock from your yard. Or you can buy landscaping rocks/river rocks that are oval shaped. Refrain from taking rocks from public places like parks, trails, rivers or others property.

You have a couple of options when it comes to rock selection, you can find oval or rectangular smooth shaped rocks to act as your canvas, or try to find unique shaped rocks that you can use the contours and edges to define what your creation will be (I picked up a rock that had a sharp pointed end and my wife said it looked like the snout on a shark so she painted it as a shark using the natural lines of the rock)

Step 2: Prep your rock

Your rock should be clean and dry before painting, if you found it in your yard you may need to wash it first, i will usually give it a scrub with an old toothbrush then let it dry.

Depending on the color of the rock and your planned design, it may be a good idea to undercoat the rock with a light color primer, this will allow lighter colors to be more vibrant and not require so many layers of applications to achieve a solid color. I like rustoleum 2x matte primer.

Step 3: Paint your rock

Acrylic paints are best for application to rocks I like Apple Barrel matte finish

Sometimes if im painting while watching tv I prefer to not have to get out all the painting supplies and use a paint marker pen, these pens are also great for adding details to your painted rocks

For fine details and for quick easy rock decoration and for writing my unique rock id on the back of my rocks, i like to use Sharpie multi color pack

If you are looking for some inspiration check out the browse rocks page to see what others have made, dont be afraid to copy an idea you find, its praise for the artist that you liked their work enough to do something similar. Use the keyword search to find specific designs.

Step 4: Get your unique rock ID

After painting, take a photo of your rock. Then sign up for free on followrock.com so you can create a unique rock ID that you write on the back of your painted rock. This ID allows the people who find your rock to easily find it on the followrock.com website and makes it fun for the finder and rock artist to track where it has been and who it has found.

Click on the get a unique rock ID link from your member page. You will be given a unique rock ID and a place to upload your photo and if you wish you can add a comment about the story behind the rock and keywords to help you and others sort the rock images.

On the back of your painted rock write something like:

“Enter this ID at www.followrock.com to see where I’ve been, then re-hide me. VNEOAQ”

Tip: when entering location you can enter an address, a street, a location or a city. Use the location you painted the rock, not where you hide it and be aware that the location is visible to everyone who visits followrock.com

Step 5: Seal your rock

Your rock will be out in the elements and will have to endure rain, snow, extreme heat and sun exposure and maybe even tumbling around in people suitcases (who knows where it will travel- which is a big part fo the fun in following your rocks journeys) so its important to protect them so the paint doesnt fade and chip off.

There are a number of options to seal and protect the rocks you have spent effort to design and paint. 

The two types of sealants i like are decopage sealer which is a sealant that is a bit like pva glue, make sure you get one that is designed for outdoor use. I like Modge Podge outdoor which has the consistency of pva glue and is applied generously with a brush

The other sealant i like is a matte finish spray like rustoleum matte varnish

Step 6: Hide your rock

You will be notified when your rock is found and you can follow its travels through your “my rocks” page in the member area.

When hiding consider how hard you want to make it, some people like to leave it somewhere super easy like a kids park and others like to leave it somewhere more hidden so it will take longet to find but may make for an interesting discovery for the person who finds it. Please be aware that some private property and national parks may not appreciate you leaving items that don’t belong. Please follow leave no trace guidelines in wilderness areas.