Dot painting is a very popular rock painting technique. From intricate Mandala styles to simple sunsets, there is something for all skill levels. People who are just learning how to paint rocks may feel a bit intimidated by this style of stone painting. Here are some of our tips for those who are beginners to dotted rocks.
Dot Painting for Beginners
If you search for ways to paint rocks you are bound to see lots of beautiful dotted mandala rocks. This style is very popular, but also a bit intimidating.
When learning dot painting, I highly suggest doing a few less complicated dot style rocks before you tackle one of these.
But, first things first… what kind of supplies will you need?
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Tools for painting dots on rocks
I personally have not created many dotted mandalas, but I have created with dots a few times in the past. There are lots of different ways you can create all the different sized dots you need.
DIY Pencil Eraser Dotters
This is one of my favorites! I have used this method quite a few times and love the results.
I first saw it as a tip for rock painting with kids. It is perfect for beginners who might not be ready to invest in a full set of utensils.
Simply sharpen the eraser end of a couple pencils to different sized dots. You can also use the sharpened end of your pencil for your smallest size.
Practice a bit on a piece of paper you will see that different amounts of pressure will make different sized circles.
You can also dab more than once and the circle will get a bit smaller. Just remember the more you do it the better you will get! Then give it a try on a rock! This paint is a bit too thick. See more about paint consistency below!
Nail Art Dotting Tools
Want something a bit more fancy? More sizes? Did you know all of those metal dotting tips are actually for nail art?! Shop dotting tools here!
Paint Pens
You know I love my Posca Pens and they can work with this style too. As long as you have a few different tip sizes you can be good to go! You can grab a set of pens here.
More DIY Dotting Tip Ideas
All it takes is a look around your house and you are sure to find something that can work. Whether it is drill bits, toothpicks, or a thumbtack stuck to the bottom of a pencil eraser as long as they vary in size they are worth giving a try!
Paint Consistency for Dotting
Something else to keep in mind is the paint consistency. You do not want to leave peaks when painting. If you paint is too thick simply add a drop of water to your paint. When you place a dot the paint should settle into a nice little dome of paint.
See all of these tips in this short video!
Dot Painting Tutorials
We have lots of posts on the site to get you started in your dot painting journey! From walking dots to mandala hacks you will find something below to get you started.
This heart design is great for practicing laying down dots without the pressure of lining them up.
Practice walking dots with your dotting tools to create fun designs!
Work on the sizes of dots with this fun stacked dot design!
This post shows the breakdown of this basic mandala pattern.
If you are still struggling with spacing maybe this little hack will help you!
This fun tool can be a life savor when lining things up! See how it's used in this tutorial and then how to create a fun spiral dot design.
If you have a few mandalas under you belt and you are ready to take the next step check out these tips from a pro!
Use your paint pens to create a fun rainbow dotted design.
You can use different sized dots to create this fun paint pen design.
Create a simple dragonfly with your dotting tools.
Fill in a name rock with different sized dots.
Create a cool dotted snowflake.
Pin this rock painting idea to your favorite Pinterest board!
I hope you have a chance to try this painting tutorial! Take a minute and pin it to share and save it for later!
