Bumblebee Rock

This little bumblebee is the last Taff Rocks has planned to published this week, check out the Bumblebee index page on the Tutorial index

He is very much painted in the same way as the 'staple' of all good rocks, the Ladybird rock that was published a little while ago.

Here's what you'll need:

• Your chosen rock
• Acrylic paints 
• Black
• Yellow
• White
• An old plate, a paper plate or paint pallet
• Paint pens or Sharpies (optional)
• Black for the outline and eyes (optional)
• White for the eye highlights (optional)
• A slim paint brush (optional)
• Warm, soapy water
• A sponge

Here's how it's done:

1.  Wash and dry your rock. 

• For more details on how to paint and prepare your rock, click here

2.  Undercoat your rock.

• This will help when adding yellow later

3.  Add a line as a guide for the head.

• Draw a line at about 1/3 to 1/4 point on the rock.
• This smaller section will be painted in black later, so if you make errors, you can paint over them

4. Paint the larger section in yellow

• I have chosen a fluorescent yellow, I have no idea why because I knew it was going to need extra coats!

5. Pencil in some lines, for the stripes and some wings

6. Paint in the wings using white paint, or a paint pen.

7.  Using black, paint the head section

8. Outline the wings.

9. Add some wing details and paint in the stripes

8. Time to add some eyes.

• Add two white ovals for the eyes
• Allow to dry

10.  Add a pair of antennae

• Whilst the eyes are drying, add a pair of antennae on the top of his head

11. Finish the eyes and add a mouth

• By now, the black of the eyes should be dry, so add a smaller white dot in the middle 
• Allow to dry
• Once dry, add a smaller white dot as a highlight to the eyes
• Then add the mouth, sometimes, simpler is better 

12.  Add text on the reverse of your rock

• If you need help with this, click here
• Allow to dry.

13. Seal your rock.

• For help sealing your rock, click here. 
• If you need help with what sealant to use, click here

If you need help creating and sharing rocks, here are some previous publications that can help you:

• Preparing and Painting Rocks
• Cool Places to Hide Your Rocks
• Not-So-Cool Places to Hide Your Rocks
• Basic Do's and Do Not's
• What to write on the back of your rock

Check out the FAQ and, if it's not there, ask on the Facebook group, we'll all be happy to help!