Looking for a fun and festive way to bring the holiday spirit to your rock painting stash? Say hello to this adorable Grinch and Max painted rocks tutorial! Whether you’re a longtime rock painter or just dabbling in Christmas crafts, this easy step-by-step guide will bring a little mischief and a whole lot of cheer to your holiday decor.
These whimsical Grinch and Max painted rocks are perfect for gifting, hiding around your neighborhood, or displaying on your mantle to remind everyone that even the grinchiest hearts can grow three sizes!
The holiday season is the perfect time to start a rock painting habit! Painted stones are inexpensive to make and can be a thoughtful handmade gift for Christmas.
Rock painting is simple, and everyone can do it. You don’t even need a lot of supplies to get started. Rock hunting is a lot of fun for all ages. I still get excited when I find a rock to paint! If you live in an area that rocks are not in abundance, no fear you can buy some from rock yards or local improvement stores.
HOW TO PAINT ROCKS
- Clean your rocks in soapy water and lay out in the sun to dry.
- Gather your rock painting supplies: paint brushes, pencils, acrylic paint, paint pens, and anything else you can stick to a rock.
- Plan your design by sketching it out on the rock with a pencil.
- Begin painting your design in with paint.
- Add details once your paint has dried.
- Once the paint is dry, apply a clear sealer.
Rock Painting Supplies
- Smooth, flat rocks (any size, but larger ones work best for detail)
- White acrylic paint or spray primer (for base coat)
- Acrylic paint pens or fine brushes and paint in:
- Green (Grinch body)
- Dark green (Grinch fur detail)
- Black (outlining)
- Red, yellow, brown, beige, orange (Max’s body, ribbon, and accessories)
- Pencil (for sketching)
- Black fine-tip marker or paint pen
- Clear acrylic sealer spray (optional but recommended)
Tip: If you’re painting with younger kids, swap out paint pens for washable markers and seal when dry.
Check out our Amazon shop for our recommended art supplies!
How to make The Grinch and Max Painted Rocks
Step 1: Sketch it out – Let’s get grinchy!
Start by giving your rocks a smooth white base coat and let them dry completely. Once dry, lightly sketch the outlines of the Grinch and Max with a pencil.
- For the Grinch, draw his Santa hat, heart-shaped chest puff, and long lanky arms.
- For Max, sketch three stacked body shapes, floppy ears, and his famously tied-on antler.
This step doesn’t have to be perfect, just give yourself a good guideline to work with.
Step 2: Outline the Mischief Makers
Now let’s trace those sketches with paint pens or a fine brush:
- Use green for the Grinch’s body outline and brown or red for Max’s.
- Keep lines smooth and confident (but if they’re not, just call it “whimsical charm!”).
- Add Max’s raised paw and that loopy antler to start showing off their personalities.
Let everything dry before moving on.
Step 3: Paint Party Time!
Time to add some color!
- Paint the Grinch in solid green, using a darker green for his collar.
- For Max, go with a warm brown body, red wrap around his belly, and his famous yellow antler.
- Add black to his ears and tail, and don’t forget the sleigh rope in gray and yellow.
Let the paint dry thoroughly before tackling the final details.
Step 4: Add the Faces and Final Details
This is the moment when the Grinch really grinches.
- Give him a wide, sly smile, narrow yellow eyes, and those classic wrinkly lines.
- Max gets big, expressive eyes, floppy eyebrows, and a “why me?” look that steals the show.
- Outline everything in black for a bold, cartoon-style finish.
Once dry, give your rocks a quick coat of clear sealer to protect your masterpiece!
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree
And there you have it, your very own Grinch and Max painted rocks that would make even the Mayor of Whoville do a double take! These festive little guys are a fun way to add DIY cheer to your holiday traditions. Hide them around town, tuck them in stockings, or display them with pride.
More Christmas Rock Painting Ideas
- Silly Christmas Painted Rocks
- Mom Approved Easy Christmas Rock Painting for Kids
- 75+ of the Best Christmas Painted Rocks on Instagram
- 100+ Christmas Painting Ideas
We hope you enjoyed these Grinch and Max painted rocks and have a wonderful holiday season!
