Materials Needed

Smooth, flat rock (medium to large)
White acrylic paint (for base)
Black fine-tip paint pen or permanent marker
Fine detail brush
Black acrylic paint
Metallic gold or silver paint pen (optional)
Clear sealant spray
Pencil (for sections)

Step-by-Step Instructions

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Step 1: Prepare the white canvas

Wash and dry your rock. Apply two coats of white acrylic paint to create a smooth, bright surface. Let each coat dry completely. A perfectly white base is essential for zentangle patterns to show clearly.

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Step 2: Divide into sections

Using a pencil, draw light curved lines across the rock to divide it into 5 to 8 sections of different sizes. These sections will each contain a different pattern. The lines can be flowing and organic — they do not need to be straight.

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Step 3: Fill sections with patterns

Using your black pen or fine brush, fill each section with a different repeating pattern. Try stripes, crosshatching, scales, circles, waves, leaves, or brick patterns. Work slowly and keep each pattern consistent within its section.

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Step 4: Add shading and depth

Once all sections are filled, add shading by drawing thicker lines on one side of each pattern element. You can also add small dots or fill certain areas with solid black. This creates a sense of depth and dimension.

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Step 5: Outline and seal

Trace over the section dividing lines with a thicker black line to make each section distinct. Optionally, add metallic gold or silver accents to highlight certain elements. Let dry and seal with clear spray.

Step 6: Add RoxGeo Code

On the bottom or back of your rock, write ROXGEO.COM followed by a slash and your rock’s unique code (e.g. ROXGEO.COM/ABC123). This lets the finder go directly to your rock’s profile page and log their discovery. If the rock is too small for the full address, write #ROX followed by the code without spaces (e.g. #ROXABC123) — it’s short, easy to search on Google, and leads straight to your rock’s journey page. Use a fine-tip permanent marker or acrylic paint pen, and seal it with clear varnish so the code stays readable through rain, sun, and adventure.

Helpful Tips

There are no mistakes in zentangle — every line adds character to the design.
Start with simple patterns and work up to more complex ones as you gain confidence.
Use a fine-tip paint pen for the cleanest lines on rock surfaces.
Turn the rock as you work to find the most comfortable angle for each section.
Try a black base with white patterns for a dramatic inverted zentangle look.
For the RoxGeo code on the bottom, use a waterproof permanent marker (like Sharpie) or an acrylic paint pen. Apply 2–3 coats of clear sealant over the code — this keeps it readable through rain, sun, and handling for months.
Writing #ROXCODE (e.g. #ROXABC123) on your rock makes it easy to find via Google search. We actively optimize for this hashtag, so anyone who searches for it will find your rock’s profile page quickly.
The full address ROXGEO.COM/CODE takes the finder directly to your rock’s card, where they can see its full travel history, previous finders, and photos from every stop on its journey.

Paint this rock and track its journey with RoxGeo!

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