What Kind of Paint Do You Use On Rocks? (Tips & More)

Starting off with a new hobby can be a bit stressful when you don’t know what to use but that doesn’t mean it’s any less exciting. In fact, learning how to paint rocks is relatively easy and anyone can do it, especially if you know how to do it the right way.

The first question on your mind must be, what kind of paint do you use on rocks? Acrylic paint is definitely the best one to go for since it’s easy to apply, thick enough to coat the entire rock and you can add as many layers needed and costs way less than most supplies. However, there are other things you can use to paint rocks with beside acrylic paint are markers, paint pens, sharpies, or even craft and poster paint.

If you’d like to know more about painting rocks with acrylic paint and a look into other supplies you can use for rock painting, then you’ll love all that we have to offer over here.

Tips For Using Acrylic Paint For Painting Rocks

Type of Rocks Need

Before we get into the details, it’s important to take into consideration the type of rock used. It doesn’t matter how detailed or simple your artwork will be but having the correct type of rock will make your experience a hundred times better.

You’ll want to look for a smooth surface type of rock without any hard edges, preferably something like this:

The problem with hard-edged rocks is that it’s difficult to paint specific detailed designs on them and your artwork will look messy whereas, with smooth rocks, you have a clean and large surface that will ensure your paintings look beautiful.

Now you might be wondering where to find these rock? The rocks for painting can be found in your yard, by the beach, or you can easily purchase them at a Dollar or landscaping store for a pretty decent price.

Just remember: the smoother the rock, the easier it will be to decorate them!

Wash The Rocks

Before doing anything with the rocks, you will need to prepare the rocks for painting and this means washing them!

This can be done either with water only or you can use water and soap to make it really clean.

Washing the rocks prevents any dirt or residue from getting in your way while painting so it’s definitely a step you don’t want to skip.

Since you have to wait for this to dry, you may want to do it in a large batch all at once rather than doing this individually so if you plan to paint more than one rock, you know you have many on hand.

Have A Good Paint Brush

Some other useful supplies to have are painters tape and a good paintbrush.

Having these two things will make your life so much easier and if you do decide to create a two-toned rock painting, using the painter’s tape will help you achieve straight lines or prevent one color from mixing into the next.

Also, having a good paintbrush will also save you the head from having to deal with hair from the brush getting stuck to your rock which is quite common with the really cheap brushes.

You may also want to have small paintbrushes since this will help you create detailed designs and it’s just easier to add small dots.

Pick A Design

Now, this is the really fun part when it comes to rock painting and that’s choosing what to paint. Of course, you go right into it and start painting or you can take a look at some of the other ideas out there.

It’s great to look for rock painting ideas if you run out of ideas and this can instantly spark that creative juices.

For instance, this daisy painted rock from Crafts By Amanda is absolutely stunning and would look fantastic somewhere on a desk, shelf, in the bedroom, or even outside!

If you’re curious to know more ways to show off your beautiful designs, head over here to check out this awesome list of ways you can display painted rocks.

The Base Coat

Once you have a good rock, you might want to consider giving your rock a base coat with good color.

Of course, you can leave this plain if you want to show the rock texture but if you plan to decorate the entire rock, then giving it a base coat will make it easier for you to paint later one.

If you are planning to give your rock a base coat, there is a simple way to do so.

First, you can paint one side of it with a brush and leave it to dry or you can grab a container, fill it with the acrylic paint, dip your rock into it and then leave it out to dry for a day or so.

It’s that simple and easy!

Sealing Painted Rocks

Sealing your rock is important if you want to preserve it’s a vibrancy and protect it from elements if you choose to leave it outside.

There are many ways to seal a rock but the preferred option is to use a spray sealant since this will last longer and you can spray as many rocks at once.

Must see: How To Seal Painted Rocks To Preserve Its Quality

You may need to spend a bit more to find a good sealant that is non-yellowing or lead to fading over time but giving it a few coats of this spray will definitely preserve any painting you do.

Other Supplies Can Use For Rock Painting

A few other supplies or alternatives you can use for painting rocks are paint pens, sharpies, chalk markers, or even ink markers.

If you don’t have acrylic paint, then you could try using craft or poster paints but make sure to add a few more layers to make sure the rock is fully covered.

Using sharpie markers to paint rocks is definitely a fun option or if you just want to try something new but you’ll want to use mod podge to coat and save your design before sealing it with a clear sealant otherwise the sharpie art will fade or wash away with time and may even smudge!

Have Fun Exploring!

Whether it’s using acrylic paint or makers, painting rocks is full of fun and happiness.

It’s a joy to create something simple yet beautiful with just your two hands and a fantastic way to explore your creativity without any added pressure.

You can easily create inspirational reminders in just a few minutes with these rocks or to just paint beautiful things on a rock to decorate your home.

Are you currently painting your own rocks? If so, what’s your experience or tips for rock painting? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!