Relieve Stress with Stone Art Therapy

To get the best results doing stone art therapy, we look for stones with smooth surfaces. The ones with round edges are a perfect option.

Reviewed and approved by psychologist Valeria Sabater.

Written by Valeria Sabater

Last update: 09 October, 2022

Have you heard about the amazing benefits of stone art therapy?

Many people know about how coloring can combat stress. Painting mandalas, drawing and writing are cathartic, creative and relaxing activities that make us feel good and free our minds.

Today, we’re gong to go a little bit further. If you’ve ever heard someone say “It’s just a stone,” now you’ll see it in another light: as potential for stress-relieving artwork.

Stone Art that will Benefit You

Stone art can offer a wealth of possibilities. It offers beauty and fabulous moments to just be with yourself and your artistic talents.

Many people paint stones while meditating and experience a profound act of relaxation while connecting with themselves. Just like coloring mandalas, we can submerge ourselves into circular motions, but this time, with stones.

Check out what you need to engage in stone art with the fabulous suggestions that you have at hand here.

Materials You will Need for Stone Art

The first thing you need to realize is that not all stones are suitable. Then, you need a very special type of paint and materials so that the stones turn out the way you want them to.

Take note of what you need and don’t worry: the materials are less costly than what you may think.

Not all stones are appropriate

Experts in this field lean towards using river stones, or what may be referred to as round stones.

As you may know, erosion from water gives the ideally smooth surfaces where you can design your creations.

Paints

Acrylic paints work for porous surface.

It’s important to find opaque acrylic markers. The regular ones for children will not work because they don’t cover well and they don’t last. Opaque markers produce a perfect finish on the stones and they’re good for drawing.

Choose markers with a fine point.

Varnish

For a perfect finish you need a special varnish. Look for an ultra-bright one at a craft store.

Then, the colors will pop, they’ll be bright and shiny, and your creation will last much longer.

Brushes

Use a flat brush. It will allow you ease of movement and imagination.

Possible Creations

Mandalas

You can paint whatever your imagination tells you to do. Mandalas are the most common because they’re relaxing.  As you already know, this type of artistic creation based on circles offers many benefits.

Mandalas help you to:

• Concentrate
•  Expand your consciousness
•  Connect with yourself
• Minimize tension and daily problems
• Develop self-acceptance
• Feel good

To paint mandalas, you just follow the classic circle sequences. Start with a circle in the middle and “expand yourself!”

Animal stone art

Of course, whatever you paint on your stones will depend on your skills and artistic experience.

Sometimes the painting begins just for fun, and after awhile you discover that you’re a real artist in the medium.

If you’re painting animals, remember to start by creating a base on the stone first.  Paint one color so that later you can paint the shades that form the animal you desire.

The secret is in taking advantage of the shape of each stone.

Fun designs

You have many options and possibilities.  Your imagination and the size of your stone are the only limits.

However, take into account that the color that never fails when painting stones is white.

Sometimes it can be enough to paint just a sun, a leaf, a flower, a heart or an arrow, and you have a magnificent and original creation.

This can be a great activity that you can share with your children.  The creations that turn out well can be very poignant gifts that you can give to friends and family.

As you can see, stone art therapy is as simple as it is fun (and inexpensive!). Painting stones is well worth what it can do for you.  Without even realizing it, this is a hobby that can turn into an addiction.