Rock Painting Supplies: Tried and Tested for Success

The right rock painting supplies help make your gorgeous designs more successful from the beginning. But if you haven’t painted rocks before, trying to find the best paint for rocks, along with the right tools and sealers, can be confusing.

Keep reading to find all my no-fail stone painting supplies, plus a printable checklist to help.

Orange and blue painted rocks, paint, and paint markers on wood background. Text overlay reads "The Ultimate Guide to Rock Painting Supplies".

Related Reading: Everything you need to know about Rock Painting.

Now that I’ve been painting rocks for several years, I’ve tried an extensive variety of acrylic paints and painting tools. I’ve taken care of all the testing for you, and combined my results into this guide to the best products for painting porous materials like stones.

Paint. Rocks. That’s it, right? 

Well, yes, sort of. But if you want to create painted rock designs that will look great and last a long time, there are definitely some supplies that work better than others. 

You’ll save time and expense by knowing what you need to paint rocks before you begin.

This page may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through my link, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Best Paint for Rocks

Of course when you’re gathering rock painting supplies, you need paint. As you’re deciding on what kind of paint to use for rocks, there are a couple things you want to keep in mind. 

Make sure the paint is highly pigmented so fewer coats are needed to get coverage. It should also have good adhesion properties so it sticks to the rock.

What Kind of Paint Works Best for Rocks?

The best paint for stones is, hands down, acrylic paint. It goes on smoothly, and gets rocks painted quickly and easily.

But not all acrylic paint is equal, and there are other paints you can use to decorate rocks too.

Outdoor Acrylic Paint. –   Water and weather resistant, acrylic paints made especially for outdoor craft projects are ideal paints for rock crafts.  Their bright colors are thick, pigmented, and adhere wonderfully to rock surfaces.

Plus, they don’t need sealing (though you can).  You can’t go wrong with Americana Patio Paint.  It’s quick-drying and the colors are saturated. This paint does need a day or two to cure before using outside.

Multi-Surface Acrylic Paint. – Designed for use on all surfaces, including rocks, this satin finish acrylic also doesn’t need a sealer. I like Americana for it’s self-leveling features.

Martha Stewart multi-surface paint is also a thick smooth multi-surface paint that comes in a variety of finishes, and is a popular choice for rock art painting. It does tend to chip after multiple coats, so I prefer it for dots and designs rather than base coats.

Craft acrylic paint.- Regular craft acrylics will also work just fine as paints for rocks.  You may need a few more coats of paint to get the design quality you’re looking for (particularly if you’re using a discount brand) but they’ll get the job done.

These paints also come in the widest variety of colors, and you may already have them around the house. You will need to use a sealer if using regular craft acrylic paints for stone painting.

Special Effect Paints. – Sometimes you just want a little pizzazz!  Metallic and glitter finish acrylic paints add sparkle and shine to your painted rock crafts.  You can paint the whole base with them, or just add fancy accents. 

Since the shine is part of the paint, there are no particles falling into the environment like regular glitter might leave behind. Try Americana Dazzling Metallics for a shimmery shine, Americana Craft Twinkles (chunky glitter paint) or Glamour Dust (fine glitter paint).

Puffy Paint. –  Good for dimension and dots, and comes in shiny, pearlized, glitter, and other happy finishes. Try Scribbles 3D paint or Tulip Dimensional Paint

While the label says fabric paint, it’s good for any surface.

Colorful painted rocks and speckled unpainted rocks with paintbrush.
Use outdoor paint for a quick-drying base coat.

Acrylic Paints for Base Coats

In stone painting terms, base coats are the common term for the solid color that covers the rock before any additional decorations are added.

For rock painting base coats, craft, multi-surface, and outdoor acrylic paints (the top 3 options above) will give the best results. They’re easy to spread, dry quickly, and can be blended together to give interesting results.

Ideally, the best base coat paint for rocks is also weather resistant if you are painting rocks for outdoors. The Patio Paint Acrylics are designed specifically for exterior use, so they are a great choice if your painted stones will be displayed or hidden outside. You don’t need a separate sealer with this paint, so you can save a step.

In a pinch, if you’re traveling or working with limited supplies, you can use a wide-tipped acrylic paint marker to apply your base coat.

Paint markers, gel pens, and ink pens on wood background with 2 painted rocks.
Use pens and markers for on-the-go rock painting.

Best Paint Pens for Rocks

Paint pens can make rock decorating easier, having all the coverage of acrylic paint with a small tip size for detail. Here’s a summary of excellent rock painting pens. 

Find detailed reviews in my Paint Pens for Rocks guide.

Posca Paint Markers are all over the internet right now, and for good reason.  They’re pigment paint markers that are non-toxic, water based, and permanent on porous surfaces like rocks. 

Not only are they my choice for the best paint pens for rocks, they’re overall one of my very favorite rock painting supplies. They’re a new favorite for other applications as well.

Ranging from larger sizes to extra-fine tips, acrylic markers are a good option for easy rock painting, and useful addition to your personal rock painting kit.

Sakura Pen-Touch paint markers are a great all-around paint marker for a variety of surfaces, including smooth rocks.  My favorites are the metallic bullet point markers.

The finish on the metallic pens looks beautiful on painted rocks.

Sharpie Oil-Based paint pens dry glossy for a fun finish.  They come in lots of colors and dry quickly. Plus they can be found in most big box stores, which is a convenience over the other good paint pens for rocks.

Sharpie Oil-Based markers also don’t bleed or change colors when sealed like regular sharpies do.

Pitt Artist Pens are high quality artist pens filled with India Ink, which is permanent and fade proof.  The dark colors cover especially well, and the tip is solid enough in both the regular and brush-tip versions that it won’t bend or smush.

While pricey, Pitt Artist Pens will last a long time and can be used for a variety of other mixed-media projects.  A black and a white pen are great pieces to start, and are a no-brainer to use if you already have them in your art stash.

Printable Guide and Quick Start Checklist

I get it, you’re busy. No problem! Get this rock painting supply guide pdf PLUS a printable quick-start checklist. You can read it and get started whenever you have the time.

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Rock Painting Tools

Of course, if you’re using bottled paints rather than acrylic paint markers, you’ll need brushes or other rock painting tools to apply it.  Additionally, as you’re looking for supplies for rock painting, don’t discount some non-paint products, which can give lovely details.

Cactus stencil on a blue painted rock, with green paint supplies.
Use a stencil to lightly form a basic shape on a painted rock.

Brushes. – You’ll need a flat brush or two for base coats or bigger surfaces. For this, ½”-1″ is a good all-purpose size range.

Small round brushes are perfect for details and writing words. A medium range mixed set of brushes is a good balance between price and quality.

Dotting Tools. – If you like polka dots or enjoy making mandala designs, a set of dotting tools can be helpful.  Just dip and press for perfect circles. Try a toothpick as a creative way to dot small details.

Sharpie metallic markers. – Sharpies require a little finesse to prevent bleeding when sealing rocks (see below), but are readily available almost anywhere.

White gel pen. – A Signo Uniball White Pen is the top-notch choice for opacity and smooth white writing on rocks. White line art is especially pretty on dark stones.

Crayons. – While coloring on rocks won’t work well, melted crayon rocks are a fun idea for kids to decorate rocks in a different way.

Stencils. – With a little maneuvering, a stencil can be a good way to block in a shape on your painted rock. Since rocks aren’t a perfect smooth, flat surface, paint will likely bleed under the stencil.

For the best results, use a very thin coat of paint to get the basic shape. Then remove stencil and freehand another layer and detail decorations.

Tracing Paper. – If freehand drawing isn’t your thing, or there’s a specific design you would like to use, tracing paper is a great solution. A sheet of tracing paper between the design and the rock will transfer the image to the rock as you trace it.

Temporary Tattoos. – not comfortable with drawing your own art yet, or need something quick for a crowd? Temporary tattoos or art transfer stickers are an easy choice and come in all sorts of designs. 

Apply the same way as on a person, then seal for quick rock art.

Want to see my favorite supplies in action? Watch the Painted Rock Supplies video on YouTube 

Watch video on YouTube

Where to Buy Rocks to Paint

With a little hunting in the right places, you may not have to buy rocks to paint at all.  You can find smooth stones for rock painting near streams or rivers, or fun-shaped pebbles just about anywhere.

Make sure to find out if collecting rocks in an area is legal first, otherwise you could meet with some hefty fines. 

If you’re in an area where there isn’t a plethora of flat rocks, you can find places to buy rocks to paint locally and online. 

I snag mine from my own landscaping, since we replaced our mulch with river rocks years ago.  But I’m the one who shoveled all those rocks into place, so I get to be the boss of me.

Colorful natural rocks in pile.
Use pretty colored rocks without base coat to let the rock show through.

Your local landscaping supply stores will have a variety of sizes available from 1″-4″, or even larger. You can buy in bulk by the pound. It’s a great way to get a variety of sizes to experiment with.

There’s also the added bonus of being able to choose your own sizes, shapes, and colors from the piles.

Home improvement stores often have large bags of flat river rocks. Craft stores will carry pebble-sized river rocks for crafts.

Amazon has multiple colors and sizes of flat stones for crafting.  Having them arrive on your doorstep is an added bonus. 

Etsy sellers have collected rocks for painting so you don’t have to! It’s also a great place to find beautiful rocks not found in your area, like sparkly, white, Santorini stones.

You can even make your own rocks using this easy rock making tutorial from Ruffles & Rainboots. Use cement and these silicone rock molds to get the perfect round or oval shape you want.

Sealing Painted Rocks

Most painted rocks will need some kind of sealer if they’re going to be hidden or displayed outside.  Sealing painted rocks is as easy as a can of spray in most cases. 

Use a clear, non-yellowing, spray sealer like Krylon Crystal Clear, using 1-2 light coats.  If you prefer the natural stone look, use a matte spray sealer.  For a shiny finish, use a gloss.

Tips for sealing painted rocks:

  • Use a spray sealer for paint pens, puffy paint, special effects paint, or any painted rock that uses more than one type of decoration or mixed paint types.
  • Use a spray sealer over temporary tattoos and white Sigma pens.
  • A paint-on polyurethane sealer (Americana DuraClear) can be used if desired when working indoors or with children.  A water-based product is not recommended for sealing outdoor painted rocks, but may be fine for those remaining indoors.
  • Try a thin layer of white glue over dried sharpie marker or metallic decorations before spray sealing to prevent blurring.

Rock painting is an entertaining craft for tweens and teens, but these smooth stones also make wonderful tiny canvases for grown-up art as well. 

Whether you’re painting mandalas with fine details or kindness rocks kids hide in the park, you’ll have a fantastic time creating something new.

Hand holding brush is painting pink dots onto a round gray rock, working on a pink and green mandala pattern.
Acrylic paint is perfect for making dot designs on rocks.

Learn More About Rock Painting

Try these rock craft ideas and tutorials as a jumping off point for your own creativity.

How to Paint Rocks-Technique Tutorials

Rock Painting Ideas for All Ages

More About Painted Rock Supplies

More Rock Painting Supplies to Consider

Once you have your basic supplies for painted rocks, and a little more experience, there are a few more options you can choose to include in your craft.

Do I need to use a primer on painted rocks?

Using a primer coat is a matter of personal preference. Some painters choose to always prime rocks using artists’ gesso or plain white paint to smooth the surface and create a sticky base. Others prefer to get right to the design. Adding a primer can be particularly helpful when painting lighter colors over darker rocks.

Can I remove paint if I mess up?

If you’re using standard acrylic paints, keep some damp cotton swabs handy to remove any stray goofs. If your brand is extra plush, removing some of the cotton will help with a more precise removal. To remove all the paint and start over, soak the rock in water for several hours, then scrub lightly with a brush or cloth.

How do you feel about sealing painted rocks with resin?

I have a love/hate relationship with resin. Sealing with resin gives a beautiful glossy sheen that is perfect for making a painted rock extra special. It is finicky though, with a steep learning curve. If you love the look, don’t be afraid to experiment!

Pin this rock painting supplies guide for later:

Hands painting pink and green dots to make a mandala design on a gray rock. Green rectangle at bottom with text that reads "The Ultimate Guide Best Painted Rock Supplies."

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2 Comments

  1. Marianne Milander says:

    Hello,

    Would classic Modge Podge work for sealing rocks? Or do you really recommend getting a spray-on sealer?

    Thanks

    1. Hi Marianne, Mod Podge will work for sealing, especially for indoors. If your painted rock will be spending a lot of time outdoors, you may want something a bit more weatherproof instead.