Paint A Prehistoric Rock Art: Dinosaur Head

Painting a dinosaur head on a rock is a fun and simple activity for both kids and adults. You can use a variety of colours and techniques to create your dinosaur, and don't worry about perfection—the most important thing is to relax and enjoy the process! In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to paint a colourful and adorable dinosaur head on a rock, using supplies like acrylic paint, brushes, and varnish. So grab your materials and get ready to unleash your creativity and bring your prehistoric pal to life!

Choose your paint colours

When painting a dinosaur head on a rock, choosing the right paint colours is essential to achieving the desired look and feel for your project. Here are some tips to help you select the perfect colours:

Consider the Type of Dinosaur: Different dinosaurs are typically associated with specific colours. For example, a bright lime green background with a royal blue dinosaur creates a fun and cheerful look, as seen in the "Old School" painted rock design. You can also opt for an orange dinosaur, which is a vibrant and eye-catching choice, or a green dinosaur, which is simple and classic.

Think about the Details: Decide on the specific elements you want to include in your dinosaur head design. For instance, if you plan to add highlights, white paint is a must-have. Black paint is another essential, as it can be used for outlining, adding shadows, and creating details such as spikes, dots, or frills. Consider using yellow paint to add colouring to the dinosaur's tail or to create highlights on fern leaves.

Create Depth and Dimension: Use varying shades and tones to give your dinosaur head painting a sense of depth. For example, dark brown paint can be sponged across the forehead and down the nose, blending with a lighter shade to create a seamless transition. This technique adds dimension and makes your painting more visually appealing.

Incorporate Accents: Depending on your dinosaur design, you may want to incorporate accent colours. For instance, if your dinosaur has horns, consider painting them white to make them stand out. You can also add unique touches, such as yellow spots along the sides of the dinosaur's face or white circles for the eyes with a black dot in the centre.

Experiment and Have Fun: Don't be afraid to experiment with different colour combinations and shades. You can even try adding glitter to your dinosaur design for an unexpected twist. Remember, the most important rule of rock painting is to relax and enjoy the process. So, feel free to let your creativity guide you in choosing paint colours that resonate with you.

Outline the dinosaur head

Painting a dinosaur head on a rock is a fun and creative activity. Here is a step-by-step guide to outlining the dinosaur head:

Start by choosing the right paintbrush for the outline. A medium or small round brush is ideal for this step. Select black paint as this will create a bold outline for your dinosaur head. Begin by outlining the basic shape of the dinosaur's head, including the forehead, snout, and cheeks. Imagine the shape of the head as a slightly curved triangle, with the point being the snout. Carefully paint along the edges of the triangle, ensuring the lines are smooth and connected.

Next, add details to the outline, such as the eyes and nostrils. Paint two small circles above the snout to represent the eyes, and add a tiny dot of white or yellow paint inside each eye to create a gleam. You can also add a darker circle around the white dot to give the eye a realistic depth. Below the snout, paint two small nostrils, shaped like ovals or small slits, depending on the dinosaur species you're depicting.

If your dinosaur has horns, add those to the outline now. Paint the horns extending from the top of the head, and feel free to get creative with the shape and size. Some dinosaurs have large, curved horns, while others may have smaller, straighter ones. You can also add spikes along the back of the dinosaur's head or neck for an extra fierce touch.

Finally, outline the mouth of the dinosaur. Depending on the species, you can paint a wide, toothy grin or a narrow, menacing smile. Use your black paint to outline the shape of the mouth, and then add teeth using white paint. You can make the dinosaur look friendly by painting a closed, gentle smile or give it a playful expression by adding a tongue using pink or red paint.

Remember, you can always refer to dinosaur images or drawings for inspiration and to ensure your outline captures the unique features of the dinosaur you're aiming for. The outline is the foundation of your dinosaur head, so take your time and feel free to adjust as needed before moving on to the next steps of painting and detailing your dinosaur rock creation!

Paint the dinosaur's body

Now that you have painted the dinosaur's head, it's time to move on to the body. For this step, you will need a few different paintbrushes, including a medium filbert brush, a medium round brush, and a small round brush. You will also need various paint colours, such as yellow, light green, orange, pink, white, black, and any other colours you may want to add for extra details.

To begin, use the medium filbert brush to paint the dinosaur's body, creating a large oval shape that connects to the neck. You can add some creativity here by choosing a unique body shape that suits your rock. Remember to use smooth and confident brushstrokes to achieve a clean outline. Once you are happy with the body, let it dry before moving on to the next step.

The next step is to add the legs and tail. Using the same medium filbert brush, paint four short or stubby legs with a single stroke. You can play around with the positioning of the legs to achieve a dynamic pose for your dinosaur. For the tail, pull and twist the filbert brush to create a tapered line that extends from the body. Feel free to add some curves or bends to the tail to make it more interesting.

Now, it's time to add some details to the body. Using the medium round brush, add spikes along the dinosaur's back and some claws to the feet. You can also use this brush to paint two ovals for the eyes, making sure to leave some space around them for additional details. If you want to add a bit of sparkle to your dinosaur, you can use a small amount of glitter glue or paint to add some shine to the spikes and tail.

For the final touches, use the small round brush and black paint to outline the entire design. This will help to define the shape of your dinosaur and give it a polished look. You can also use the black paint to add a dot inside each eye and any other small details you wish to include. If you want to add a message or pattern to your rock, you can use a Sharpie marker and remember to seal it with a light coat of Mod Podge or craft glue to protect your artwork.

Add details like spikes, horns, and eyes

Now that you have the basic outline of your dinosaur head, it's time to add some exciting details! If you're feeling creative, you can add spikes along the back of your dinosaur. Load your filbert brush with paint and carefully create spikes by pulling and twisting the brush to a point, allowing the paint to taper. You can also add some spikes or horns on the head of your dinosaur. Using a medium round brush, paint curved horns or spikes on the head. These can be the same colour as the body or a different shade to make them stand out.

To bring your dinosaur to life, add some eyes! Paint a white circle for the eye, and then add a dot inside the circle with a smaller brush. You can get creative here and experiment with different eye shapes and colours. If you want to add some sparkle, consider using glitter to make your dinosaur's eyes shine.

Don't forget to add some tiny details to your dinosaur's face, such as claws or teeth. You can use a small round brush for these finer details, and outline them in black to make them pop. Finally, you can outline the entire design in black to give it a bold finish. Feel free to add any additional touches that you desire—perhaps some colourful spots or stripes to make your dinosaur truly unique!

Outline the design in black

Outlining your dinosaur design in black is a crucial step in ensuring your painted dinosaur head stands out on the rock. This step is common to both face painting and rock painting dinosaur designs.

For face painting, you can use a small or medium-sized round brush to outline the dinosaur design in black. This will help to define the features and give your dinosaur a clear, bold outline. You can also add small dots or thin brush strokes for added detail.

Rock painting may require a finer brush for the outline, depending on the size of your rock. You can also use a Sharpie marker for the outline and any additional details. Be sure to seal your design with a light coat of Mod Podge or craft glue before varnishing, to prevent the varnish from smearing your design.

The outline is an important step in ensuring your dinosaur head design pops and is easily recognisable. You can add further detail to the outline by using different brush sizes and techniques to create thin and thick lines, giving your dinosaur a unique style.

Remember, the most important rule of rock painting is to relax and enjoy the process. Don't worry too much about perfection, as a bright and cheerful painted dinosaur rock will make someone's day, regardless of your level of experience.

Frequently asked questions