I learned about Waverly paints from a fellow rock painter and thought I'd give them a try. They're available exclusively at Walmart in 2 oz. plastic bottles for less than $1.50 per bottle. Plaid (the manufacturer) describes the paint as:
Semi-gloss
Highly pigmented
High-performance
Durable
Fade-resistant
Ideal for indoor and outdoor DIY craft projects
Works on decorative glass, wood, paper mache, terra cotta,
concrete, and plastic
The hues I purchased were: Plaster (off white), Agave (blue), Rhubarb (coral), and Ink (black). (I was tempted to purchase more because all the colors were so pretty.)
For my test, I applied the plaster (off white) to one side of my stone as a base coat. I then painted small squares using the other 3 colors on both sides of the stone.
The results:
The coverage was good on both sides of the stone (although it took 2 applications of paint)
The paints had an ammonia odor which I did not like
The size of the bottle's opening made it messy to pour onto a palette
The paint is thick and would need to be thinned for detail painting
I did not apply a
sealer to the brain in 2015 so I could repaint sections where my goals were met and add new items for the upcoming year. The sections of the brain still include:
Inspiration
Creative Soul Food
Rocks To Finish
I Want
To Do
Rocks I Want To Paint
Inspiration - After 2 years, I still get my inspiration from Pinterest, Nature, and two Facebook groups - Rock Painting and Rock Painters Extension Group.
Creative Soul Food - Nothing has changed here. I still enjoy chocolate, coffee, pistachios and wine.
Rocks To Finish - This section is for my priority projects. In 2015, Noah's Ark was completed and gifted to a friend and elephants now replace that section of the brain. I need to start and complete a 6-sided rock. Nativities are always a priority in preparation for the upcoming Christmas season.
I Want - I like to buy rock painting supplies and acquired most of my wants in 2015 and 2016 - display easels, gift bags, a fine point pen, and nail art brushes. In 2017, my new wants are Posca fine point pens, white gel pen, white beach pebbles, and small pliers.
To Do - In 2015, I received a new camera and learned how to use it to photograph my painted rocks. A project I now want to accomplish is a pebble art wall hanging for my entryway porch.
Rocks I Want to Paint - Many of these (and more) were painted on rocks between 2015 and now - matryoshkas, mandalas, owls, cactus, dogs, hearts, slimy critters. I kept most of them on the brain because they were so enjoyable to paint. Maybe I should rename this section "Favorite Rocks to Paint."
This is the mind map concept taken to the next level!
Happy New Year, everyone. May all your rock painting dreams come true.
After I found my perfect paint pen for rocks (which did not blur when sealed), I received a blog post comment which suggested "applying a layer of Elmer's Glue on the Sharpie Art, allowing to dry, before applying spray sealant." I decided to try this out for myself but instead of using a spray sealer, I used two of my preferred brush-on sealers. My first test used a Sharpie ultra fine point black permanent marker. I printed the words "Sharpie test" on my stone and followed it with a thin coat of white glue. After the glue dried, I applied a thin coat of Delta Ceramcoat brush-on sealer.
White glue applied over a Sharpie marker before Delta Ceramcoat sealer
Result: Neither the glue nor my sealer blurred the words written on the stone with a Sharpie permanent marker pen. For my second test, I used colored Sharpie permanent markers and drew a simple design on a pitted stone. Once again, a first coat of white glue was thinly brushed over the design. Then after the glue dried, I used Americana Duraclear brush-on sealer.
White glue applied over Sharpie markers before Duraclear Satin Varnish
Result: Neither the glue nor my sealer blurred the design drawn on the stone with various colors of Sharpie permanent marker pens. I'm happy to report that white glue (e.g., Elmer's) used over Sharpie permanent marker pens did indeed prevent blurs
when applied prior to both formulas of my clear sealers. (Note: I used this trick on small stones and cannot say how well it works with large painted rocks.) Give this tip a try for yourself and let me know what you think.
I finally found a pen to use on rocks that doesn't blur with sealer! For awhile I've been searching for the perfect paint pen (marker) to use on rocks. The problem has been the ink smears and blurs when a sealer is applied and the nib has been too thick for a nice, thin line. It's been suggested I try a Posca pen so I purchased a brown Uni Posca Extra Fine Marker. I was looking specifically for a pen which could
make a thin
line in a brown color. (Most Posca pens I've seen come in sets of various colors and I didn't
want to spend money on an entire set until I knew how they would perform
on rocks and stones.)
Note: When you click on certain links in this post, I may receive a commission for the purchase of products. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
I watched this helpful YouTube video to learn about my Posca pen before using it - "Getting Started with Posca Pens - Part 1":
This is what the tip of my Posca extra fine marker looks like:
To test the pen, I painted a small, slightly pitted stone with acrylic paint. I then used the brown Posca marker to draw some simple facial features on the rock.
So far so good. I was happy with the light brown color and the thin lines the marker created. Next, I brushed on Mod Podge as a first coat of sealer and the Posca marker lines held up beautifully on the rock - no blurring/smearing.
(Note: I prefer to use Mod Podge as a first coat sealer because there seems to be less of a reaction with paints. The Mod Podge is then followed up with Americana DuraClear Satin Varnish. Click here to learn more about how I seal my painted rocks.) I then experimented by using the pen to add lettering to a rock. Because I'm a left-handed writer, I push the pen rather than pull it across the rock. The result was little dots of ink where the nib "dragged" against the rock. However, I was able to paint over the ink dots and sealed the stone with no adverse effects.
Another experiment involved using the Posca pen on a polished stone. Usually paint and pens will not adhere to polished stones, however, the Posca marker performed beautifully and did not smear with the application of Americana DuraClear Satin Varnish.
I'm hoping the Posca marker is the answer to my search for the perfect paint pen (marker) for rocks. However, using the Posca pen on three stones is not enough to declare it a success. I question how long the pen will last, will it leak, will the texture of rocks and stones affect the nib. As I continue to use the Posca pen, I will update this post with any additional positive or negative aspects about the marker.
11/12/18 Update: Yes, Posca pens are wonderful to use on rocks. In fact, Posca pens and mandalas are meant for each other.
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Please leave a comment with any tips, praises or problems you've had with Posca pens. I'd love to hear what you think about this product.
Note: When you click on certain links in this post, I may receive a commission for the purchase of products. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
In the 1970's, I made this sun wall hanging using yarn and burlap. After I left home, my sister saved Mr. Sun from the trash and now proudly displays him in her home and collects sun art. To thank her for reuniting me with a blast from the past, I offered to paint a sun rock for her collection.
Reunited with my wall hanging after 40 years
I used 4 different stones so I could paint 4 different sun designs.
I started with the smallest stone and simplest design first - a stylized sun on one side and moon on the other.
Stylized sun and moon painted rock
Both my sister and I live in the Southwest so hot chili peppers were the inspiration for this sun's design.
