My Favorite Rock Painting Supplies for Rock Rembrandts!
Starting a new hobby can be fun, but it can also be overwhelming. You ask yourself lots of questions; Where do I begin? What supplies do I really need? What brands are the best? Fear not, I am here to guide you through your rock painting journey. We will explore different types of rock painting supplies, the pros and cons of each, and I will show you what I use when creating my mini masterpieces.
Rock Painting Supplies – Rocks
OK, let’s start with the obvious; rocks. This seems simple enough. You will definitely need a supply of rocks if you want to start rock painting. Where I live, the ground consists of a red clay, and although I can find a few rocks here and there, they do not come in an abundance.
Normally I will purchase rocks at my local craft store. I have found that the best place to look is in the mosaics section. They have medium and large river rocks and sliced river rocks to name a few.
Sometimes I will head to a home improvement store or a landscaping company if I need to buy in bulk. If you have a landscaping company in your area, they will normally sell by the pound or by the bucket. I have encountered some that will even let you pick through the rocks so you can get exactly the size and shape you are looking for.
Another option for rocks is to order online. I have tried these options off of Amazon and have had great results. Ordering rocks online can be the more expensive route and you do have to wait for the shipping time. But I have found that the quality of the rocks is very good.
Rock Painting Supplies – Paint
There are lots of different types of paint suitable for rock painting and it is easy to get overwhelmed. Starting with the basics, I highly recommend using acrylic paint. Acrylics are water-based and quick drying. The water-based is important for cleaning up a mess. If you catch a paint spill before it dries, it will normally wash off with soap and water. Oil-based paint is a little harder to clean up.
Acrylic paint can be found at most craft stores (Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Joann, etc) department stores (Wal-mart, Target) or online (Amazon). Acrylic paint can come in many different sizes and the color assortment is vast. I will normally purchase two-ounce bottles. I find that size is easy to store. I will often purchase an eight-ounce bottle of a very common color such as black or white.
I have tried all of the brands available in my area. My local Wal-Mart carries Apple Barrel Colors. Hobby Lobby carries Anita’s, FolkArt, Americana, and Ceramcoat. I have found that I get the best coverage with FolkArt Paint. Each two-ounce tube runs about $1.00-$3.00 depending on the formula. A specialty paint such as metallic colors or glow in the dark colors will be more expensive than regular acrylic paint.
My top recommendation is FolkArt acrylic paint. I love the coverage I get from this brand. It goes on smoothly and cleans up easily.
My second choice from the craft store is Anita’s. The coverage is a bit thinner, so I find that I need to put down more coats of paint. This brand is less expensive than FolkArt, but I would say that the color choices are just as extensive.
On Amazon, I find that Folk Art paint is sold in sets as opposed to individual tubes at the craft store. This is a good option to get started, but as you run out of paint and need a particular color, this option would not be the most economical. I have found a few individual tubes on Amazon, but the color selection was limited.
My local Wal-Mart carries Apple Barrel acrylic paint. It can be a good paint in darker colors, but the formula is pretty thin so lighter colors require lots of layers. It can work for you in a pinch. The price is less expensive than any other brand I have tried.
Specialty Paint
Of course, acrylic paint comes in many different finishes. I have used metallic Folk Art paints several times and I love the shine that they give off. It is a very nice effect.
Folk Art also makes a sparkle paint called Glitteriffic. I have not personally tried it yet, but I am very excited to. This looks like a fun way to make a project stand out.
I have struggled to find good glow-in-the-dark paint for rock painting. I have tried Folk Art, Anita’s, and Apple Barrel and I was not impressed with any of them. The paint is very streaky no matter what brand or color I tried. I felt I was having to glob on the paint. It would be impossible to use this paint for any kind of detail work. I was also disappointed with the glow factor of these paints, it was rather dull. I did purchase this set off of Amazon. It was better than the others and the glow was decent. I liked that it came in a set of eight colors to give me a nice variety to play with.
I have also used puff paint on rocks, which is very fun to do. Keep in mind that the nozzle is not as easy to control as a brush or paint marker. This can be great for outlining. This paint does take more time to dry so be prepared. I love the Tulip brand. These are traditionally fabric paint, but make a neat 3D image on your rock. Like most paints, puff paint comes in a variety of finishes like matte, glitter and even glow in the dark.
Rock Painting Supplies – Paintbrushes and Tools
OK, I will admit on this one I am not much for paintbrushes when it comes to rock painting. They can get expensive quickly and the bargain shopper in me just can’t justify it. I recommend starting with a set that has a variety of sizes and widths. I have this one and it has been great. I purchased it at Hobby Lobby.
I really like buying the big variety set and the price point was spot on. I have also used this set off of Amazon. It was good quality and cleaned up well.
Be sure to wash your brushes after each use. If you use acrylic paints you don’t need anything special, just warm water and dish soap. Make sure they are dry before using them again. Excess water can make acrylic paint run.
Brushes will naturally wear and tear. When the bristles start coming out or you can’t get them to keep their shape it is time to replace them. I have found that the cheaper the set of brushes, the quicker they wear out and I have to replace them more often.
I also like to keep a few sponge brushes around. I really like the kind with the handle that allows you to dab paint on the surface of the rock. I have this set and it has been great so far. The surface of the sponge is flat which gives you good control over where you place the paint. This set also gives you a few sizes to work with. Be careful when you wash sponge brushes. They can come apart easier than bristle brushes.
Dotting tools for mandala projects can be found on Amazon as well. They are all pretty similar in quality but choose the set with the variety of sizes that would be most helpful to you. Mine is like this set and I felt it was a great choice for rock painting.
Rock Painting Supplies – Paint Pens and Markers
I would say that paint markers are the supply that I use the most for rock painting. The choices can be overwhelming. By far the best set is Posca, but sometimes the price is a little more than other brands. I will typically order a set of Posca off of Amazon, such as this one.
Paint markers come in various sets. I normally see them grouped in a color theme such as basics, pastels, bright sets. They also come in varying widths, make sure to have a fine point set and a more medium or wide set. The fine point markers are great for detail work where you would want the wider markers for coloring in a whole rock or doing a background.
The markers will eventually run out of paint and need to be replaced. I have found that I replace my black and my white most often. These can also be purchased individually.
I have also purchased this set from Nuitop, I was very happy with how the markers performed. The coverage is good and the flow of the paint was comparable to Posca. The price point is lower than a Posca set and the set is larger giving you more colors to play with. Surprisingly, the set also includes metallic silver and gold.
Hobby Lobby sells its own brand of paint markers, called Paper Studio. I cannot recommend them. The flow is inconsistent and it will leave behind globs on your project.
You can use Sharpie markers, but keep in mind this is permanent ink and not paint. The color does not flow from the marker like a paint pen. It just goes on the rock. The coverage in the darker, bolder colors is normally excellent. Sometimes the lighter colors can be a bit translucent and leave you with some streaks.
Sharpie also makes a set of oil-based paint pens. They are great pens but keep in mind that they are oil-based and not water-based like an acrylic pen. That means the cleanup will not be easy. Soap and water will not cut it. Make sure to protect your work surface before using these.
Like paint, paint markers also come in specialty varieties, like metallic. Sometimes a full set of paint markers will include silver and gold, but a set of metallic markers makes a fun addition to your collections. I have this set and I have been very impressed with it.
I have also tried glitter paint markers, but I was much happier using the metallic. For some reason, I was not happy with how the glitter showed up on the rocks. I will continue to try different sets of glitter markers and report back if I find a good one.
Rock Painting Supplies – Colored and Ink Pencils
Colored pencils are also fun to use on rocks. They also make this artistic project easier for small children, less messy and easier to handle. A simple set of Crayola colored pencils may be all you need for a fun afternoon of rock painting.
Step up your game with a set of watercolor pencils. I love this set of Inktense pencils. You color on your rock and then go over the pencil marks with a wet paintbrush. The colors blend together brilliantly. Instant masterpiece with little effort. I love the effect of these pencils. The colors are bold and really stand out. The Inktense pencils can be a little expensive, but they will last a very long time. Watch for a sale on this product, it will be worth it.
Rock Painting Supplies – Sealers
Sealing is a very important step in rock painting. Once your rock is outside and exposed to the elements, it will fade quickly. Invest in a good sealer. Poor quality brands tend to yellow and dull the rock instead of helping your rock last longer and look better.
Sealers come in paint-on and spray-on. For paint-on, I have found that the formulas can be sticky. Use a sponge brush or a cheap bristle brush. You will probably want to throw the brush away after you use it, they can be extremely hard to clean up.
Here are a couple of good brush-on sealers. I like Mod Podge brand from Plaid. It is easy to find and comes in a variety of finishes like matte and glossy. Mod Podge also comes in sparkle which adds a fun, glittery finish to your project, but is not overwhelming.
My preference for rock painting is a spray-on sealer. It is so much easier to use and dries quicker than the liquid. Spray sealers can also come in a variety of finishes. They are easy to find with the other spray paints in most stores.
I recommend using a spray sealer outside. Just like spray paint, it can give off fumes and you don’t want to be stuck in a room with that. I also place my rock on a protective surface. I often use a paper plate because I can just throw it away and not have a mess to worry about. This one from Krylon is a great option. It is crystal clear.
I also like this one from ModPodge. It dries quickly, it is clear and does not yellow the rock. The finish is high shine, so it really adds a nice touch.
Aleene’s also makes a great spray sealer that is easy to find and gives good coverage.
I have not tried a glow-in-the-dark sealer yet, but I am excited to try one. I have purchased this and will provide a review. The idea is to paint the rock with your regular paint and then go over it with this sealer to get the glow-in-the-dark effect.
Rock Painting Supplies – Other
Stencils
Stencils are a great place to start when drawing a design. Pick a smaller stencil for rock painting – the larger images simply will not fit on most rocks unless you are just using a small portion of the design. Use a removable tape (paint masking tape) to hold your stencil in place while you are using it. I always use a pencil to draw with a stencil so I can erase my lines if I need to.
Stamps
Stamps are fun to use on rocks and then color them in. Look for a design with lots of room for coloring. Really small images can be hard to handle on a rock. Use a water-based ink with your stamps for easy cleanup and be sure to wash your stamp right after you use it to prevent staining. Dish soap, warm water, and a rag will normally do the trick.
Mixed-Media
The possibilities are really endless. You could add almost anything to a painted rock to make it stand out and give it a unique personality of its own. You could glue on sequins, feathers, glitter, use pieces of paper. Let your imagination run wild.
Other Things
I keep a supply of paper plates, disposable table cloths, and baby wipes on hand. All of these items will make your cleanup process much easier.
Wrap Up – Conclusion
As you can see, it would be easy to wander around your craft store and get lost looking for rock painting supplies. For a beginner, I recommend taking the list I have made below with you.
• Rocks – look for smooth surfaces and a variety of sizes
• Acrylic paint – I recommend Folk Art brand, start with a set of colors
• Paint markers – Posca is recommended, but a less expensive set can be great to start. Get both a fine point set and a medium point set.
• Brushes – I love the variety pack that has an assortment of tips, sizes and includes both bristle brushes and sponge brushes.
• Sealers – Spray sealers are the easiest to start with. I recommend either Krylon or ModPodge.
• Have fun!