Live near the beach? Taking a summer vacation to a tropical destination? If so, you’ll want to go out and collect a few empty seashells to bring home with you! While these easy to paint designs can be painted onto just about any seashell…we opted to use smaller sized clam shells. If you don’t live near a beach, you can paint the designs onto smooth river rocks or other items. Looking for more? We have over 300 arts and craft projects that utlize seashells on our TCC blog. Check them out while you’re here!
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All of these designs are great for beginners! You won’t need any templates or patterns. All were free-handed onto the clam shell. With this craft project you’ll paint a crab, whale tail and a palm tree. To keep things really simple…you’ll want to use a pack of acrylic paint markers instead of a paint brush and regular paints. I recommend and use BETEM Acrylic Paint Markers that I purchased from Amazon.
The paint makers have dual-ended tips (medium and fine), require no priming, no drippy or leaky messes, no clogged tips and they dry quickly. Plus…they’re affordable compared to other brands!!!
Use a pencil and sketch out the design onto the clam shell. Color in the main motif first. Then use the paint markers to do the background colors. Finish up by using the fine tips on the paint markers to do the facial features and outlines. Let the paint dry for a few hours.
You need to seal the painted design by one of two different methods:
1. Spray-on Clear Sealer – Spray on 1-2 light coats of a clear spray sealer. This will need to be done outside with about an hour between the two coats.
2. Brush-On Clear Sealer – I like to use Mod Podge Clear Sealer with a Glossy Finish. It goes on white but dries crystal clear. Brush-on 1-2 light coats with about 35 minutes of drying time between coats.
Once the seashells have been sealed keep them indoors for 72 hours to allow the paint and sealer to cure. You can then display the painted seashells inside or outside of your home. They make great summer party favors or keep them as a vacation travel souvenir.