LIttle Painted Desert Garden

​Painted cactus are the perfect plants because they don't need water or sun, and they will never stick you! This coming Thursday, we will learn how to paint cactus on smooth rocks and create a mini garden.

Grab Some Rocks and Let's Paint!

​First, you need to find some reasonably smooth rocks in various shapes and sizes. If you are creating a cactus rock garden, find stones that work well together, and arrange them unpainted in the dish or pot you plan to display them. Sand is the perfect planting medium for the cactus rocks. Sand is available at home improvement stores, garden centers, and craft stores.

Supplies

Smooth rocks in various sizes
Cactus pictures
White gesso
Craft paint in an assortment of greens, white and black
Small bristle brushes, and detail brushes
Dotting tools
Q-tips
Water
Paper towel
Acrylic sealer

Get Inspired

​Find images of cactus as a visual guide. You will find a wide variety of shapes and colors. Succulent photos are a great resource of inspiration too. It's not necessary to paint realistic cactus, but the images are a way to inspire you to paint in the style you want.

Prepare to Paint Along!

​Wash and dry your rocks thoroughly before priming with a coat of white gesso. After the gesso has dried, base coat the stone with green craft paint. Basecoat the stones in different shades of green color since cactus comes in many shades of green. Let the paint dry thoroughly before Thursday's class. See you then!