1 Paint a light base on the rock, and let it dry thoroughly. Use pale blue for the sky, adding lighter blue at the bottom and deeper blue at the top to create a slight gradient.

2 Dab on some white paint for the clouds. Then create the farthest line of the mountain range using very pale green.

3 Below the first range line, use a slightly deeper green to create the next ridge of mountains. Below that, use another slightly deeper green for the next ridge.

4 Add one more dark green ridge at the bottom. The gradation of color creates the effect of atmospheric perspective, suggesting distance.

5 Now, using your darkest green, paint vertical lines of varying heights at the bottom of the image and create the foliage on each tree, working on one side at a time and tapering toward the top.

6 Seal over with matte varnish, and you’re finished!

 1 Choose a flat, smooth rock with a shape you like. Remove any dirt from the rock and ensure that it is completely dry. The rock’s shape, size, texture, and color can guide your color and design choices.

2 Start by creating the head and body placement of the hummingbird. I like to use similar colors for the body and head to help distinguish the outline of the hummingbird, and then use a variety of different but similar hues for the wings and tail feathers.

3 Next add wings to the back of the body and tail feathers to the bottom.

4 When the paint on the hummingbird’s head is completely dry, and you are satisfied with the color tones, use black paint to place the eye and a long beak extending from the head.

5 Next create the hummingbird’s garden using flowers, mandalas, sun images, and other natural elements. Remember to let each section of paint dry completely before handling the rock.

6 Once your rock is finished and the paint is dry, use an all-purpose clear lacquer spray to protect and seal your finished stone.

 1 Apply a thin and even layer of varnish to your rock. Once the varnish is dry, begin by painting a thin line centered on your rock with a small round paintbrush.

2 Paint a feather tuft outline around the centerline.

3 Paint V-shaped lines to divide the feather into sections.

4 Fill the tip of your feather with fine lines.

5 Create a triangular shape within the feather by painting two lines in each section.

6 Fill the area outside the triangles with fine, feather-like lines.

7 Add dots to the triangle border.

8 Lastly, paint a tiny star in each of the triangles. When your painting is finished, allow it to dry completely. Apply a thin layer of sealing varnish. Let dry, and add one more thin coat of varnish.

 1Start by applying a base coat of white paint on the shell. Once dry, create a soft gradient from light blue to white in the upper half of the shell. I chose to omit the clouds to emphasize the stillness of the day.

2 Create a horizon line with a deep-sea turquoise color, lightening a bit as you move downward. Leave the lower right somewhat bare for the sand.

3 With a soft gray-brown, build up the shore and dune in the lower right. Don’t worry too much about where the sea and sand meet; we’ll revisit that area!

4 Using a light tint of turquoise, suggest cresting waves at the shoreline and in smaller proportion as they move backward in the scene.

5 Using your smallest brush and a touch of white paint, emphasize the sea-foam along the waves, especially where they meet the sand.

6 With the same tiny brush, paint slight upward strokes at the top of the dune in varying shades of green to create seagrass. Add a small flock of seagulls; then seal your finished painting with matte varnish.

 1 Apply a layer of white paint over the whole shell to create a base layer for your painting. Allow to dry. Create a soft gradient from pale blue to pale yellow. I find it works best to create a blue-to-white gradient first and let it dry before adding pale yellow—this way, you avoid a green sky!

2 Continue the gradient from pale yellow to orange, coral, and faded purple. Use this line of purple to mark the horizon.

3 Introduce a lavender-tinted blue beneath the horizon line to block out the ocean. Be sure to create the shape of overlapping waves along the shore!

4 Using the colors from the sunrise, begin accenting the water with reflections from the sky. Work from darkest to lightest to create the strongest highlights.

5 Along the waves, place a strip of orange and yellow down the shore.

6 Block in the sand in the remaining white space. Use dark gray, to allow the sunrise to steal the show!

7 Using the purple and coral from the sunrise, create loose, fluffy clouds in the sky. You may want to add small yellow accents at the bottom to capture the light.

8 Time for details! Using your smallest brush, lightly speckle white along the crest of the waves to imply sea-foam. I also use watered down white paint to lightly brush in rays from the sun. Add a tiny flock of birds. Seal your finished painting with varnish.

 1 Organize your shells and stones, arranging the items by size and color. I grouped my shells into five sets of three, with three of the same general type, size, and color. Select a few more stones, 6 or 12 in a set, to fill in the mandala design.

2 Pour and pat the sand into a thin layer. Work on a large sheet of white paper for easy cleanup! Create a natural looking edge to the sand by gradually thinning it out.

3 Select one unique shell for the focal point, and place it in the center of the sand circle. Then begin with two smaller shell sets. Arrange the shells evenly around the central focal point, alternating between the two types.

4 Continue to work out radially from the center point, by placing the next two sets of shells. Line up the outer shells with the inner ring of shells previously placed.

5 Place six of one type of stone between each shell in the inner ring. Then repeat this for the outer ring, using a different set of stones. If you wish, add more shells or stones to the outer ring of the mandala.

 1 Draw or print your chosen shape and cut it out. Choose a surface to work on. This could be a table, desk, piece of wood, or paper. (I’m using a piece of wood painted black.) Place your shape in the center of the workspace, and use a rock to hold it in place. Surround the edge of the shape with pieces of nature, such as rocks, shells, and crystals.

2 Once you’ve fully surrounded the shape, continue to add new items. For me, this process is like putting together a puzzle. You may end up moving a piece around until you find the perfect spot.

3 Continue adding items, incorporating a few that are extra unique to add visual interest and texture. Continue to add elements until you feel the project is complete.

4 When you’re done adding items, carefully remove the paper from the center. Adjust any pieces, if necessary, and take a photo if you like. You may not want to take a photo at all. Nature art is often referred to as being ephemeral—a fleeting, transitory moment. These creations are mostly for your own enjoyment, so have fun with it!