If you don’t have a beach near you, you can always buy shells from an art store. Some florists may sell also shells as vase fillers as well. If you are using store-bought shells, then you don’t have to clean them. A simple rinse may be a good idea to get rid of any dust, however.
You can also work with liquid water colors. They are more saturated and will give you brighter results. You will need to add a few drops of water to dilute them, however.
Consider having an assortment of brushes, such as a flat brush and a fine-pointed, round-tipped brush.
Having an idea of what you want to paint will lessen the chances of making mistakes later on.
If you plan on painting both sides of your shell, let one side dry before turning the shell over and painting the other side. If you are covering a large area, use a large flat-tipped brush.
Remember to rinse your brush before moving on to a new color.
If you painted your shell using metallic or pearlescent colors, use a glossy finish. Matte or satin will take the sparkle away. Use caution if you painted your shell using watercolor paints, as the sealer may cause the colors to run. Glossy sealers may also darken your colors, while matte or satin sealers may lighten them. [2] X Research source
Draw a head, a vertical line, and some black spots to make a ladybug. [3] X Research source Turn your shell into a crab by gluing on two googly eyes to the top/point of the shell, and short, pipe cleaner stems to the back. Turn your shell into a fish by gluing a googly eye to the top/point of the shell, and smaller shells to make the fins. [4] X Research source
Fine, iridescent glitter will work the best for this. You can find it in the scrapbooking aisle of an arts and crafts store. Use white glue for glitter, and super glue for gemstones. Instead of glitter, try colored sand for some interesting texture!
If you are painting the entire shell a solid color, you can use spray paint instead. It will be much faster.
