Every guide and tool
The guides answer the questions that come up after you buy: which marker suits which job, how to prepare a surface, how to keep paint from rubbing off, and what to do when a pen stops flowing. Specs come from maker pages and performance notes from independent reviews; we have not tested these markers ourselves.
- Guide Painted rocks for beginners Painted rocks for beginners: where to get rocks, what paint and markers to use, prep, layering, sealing, displaying them, and kindness rock etiquette.
- Guide Best paint for rock painting Acrylic paint for rock painting compared: craft paint, outdoor acrylic and paint pens, how long it takes to dry, whether it washes off, and how to seal it.
- Guide Acrylic vs oil-based Acrylic vs oil-based paint pens compared: surfaces, opacity, drying, odor, layering, water resistance and safety, plus which popular markers are which.
- Guide Best acrylic markers The best acrylic markers for art: Posca, Pilot Pintor, refillable Molotow and Montana, and budget fine tips, chosen from maker specs and independent tests.
- Guide Fix a pen that won’t flow Fix a paint pen that will not flow: shake it the right way, prime it without flooding, revive a dried tip with water, and stop leaks and blobs.
- Guide How to seal marker art How to seal acrylic marker art on rocks, wood, canvas and pumpkins: which sealer to use, spray vs brush-on, how many coats, and what sealing cannot do.
- Guide How to use fabric markers How to use fabric markers and paint pens on fabric and canvas shoes: prep, drawing, heat-setting with an iron, washing, and when to pick a fabric marker.
- Tool Marker picker Pick a surface, a line and a budget, and get a marker type, a tip size and two pens to look at, based on maker specs and independent reviews.
- Guide Pumpkin painting Paint markers for pumpkins: which paint pens work, how to prep and base coat, the best tips for curves, easy designs, and sealing so it lasts the season.
- Guide Remove permanent marker from fabric How to get permanent marker out of fabric: the rubbing alcohol blot method, fabric by fabric changes, ink removers, set-in stains, plus metal and footballs.
- Guide Rock painting supplies Rock painting supplies checklist: the rocks, paint, paint pens, brushes, dotting tools and sealer you need, what is optional, and what to buy first on a budget.
- Tool Tip size chart An acrylic marker tip size chart from 0.7 mm pin tips to 15 mm blocks and brush tips, drawn to scale, with what each size is good for.
Popular starting points
- Choosing a set: the best acrylic markers.
- A first project: rock painting for beginners or rock painting ideas.
- Finishing: how to seal acrylic marker art.
Questions people ask
Where should a beginner start with acrylic markers?
Start with a medium water-based pigment marker around 1.8 to 2.5 mm, practice on paper or a smooth rock, and read how to prime a fresh pen. The best acrylic markers guide and the marker picker narrow the choice; the sealing guide covers finishing.
Do I need to seal acrylic marker art?
Indoors on paper, usually not. Anything handled often or kept outdoors, such as painted rocks, pumpkins, signs and wood, lasts much longer with two or three thin coats of clear spray sealer once the paint is fully dry.
Why does my paint pen stop working?
Usually the paint has settled or dried in the tip. Shake it with the cap on, press the tip on scrap to restart the flow, and soak a dried tip in water. The troubleshooting guide walks through each fix in order.