Rocks are a simple but powerful detail in cozy illustrations. With just a few color choices and easy layering techniques, you can turn basic rock shapes into mossy stones, warm sandstone, glowing lava rocks, or sparkling crystals. In this Southern Lotus coloring guide, we share 4 easy ways to color rocks that work beautifully for kawaii coloring pages, cozy nature scenes, and aesthetic illustrations.
This tutorial is beginner friendly, relaxing, and perfect for anyone who loves soft textures, bold shapes, and calm coloring routines.
Mossy rocks are perfect for forest scenes, garden illustrations, and cozy outdoor coloring pages. This style focuses on soft blending and dotted textures.
Colors used: GY4, CG030, GY5, CG050, GY8, CG070, YG03
• Fill in the rock base using GY4 for the stone and CG030 for the moss area.
• Add soft shadows by dotting GY5 and CG050 onto the moss and blending lightly.
• Deepen the texture by repeating the dotting technique with GY8 and CG070.
• Finish by drawing tiny flowers or highlights on the moss using YG03 acrylic marker.
Sandstone rocks add warmth and softness to desert scenes, cozy landscapes, and aesthetic backgrounds.
Colors used: Y120, E170, E130, E110, 101
• Color the entire rock with a smooth base of Y120.
• Add shadows using E170 and E130, blending gently for a natural gradient.
• Draw subtle rock veins with E110 to create layered texture.
• Highlight the veins and edges using 101 white acrylic pen.
Lava rocks bring bold contrast and energy to fantasy scenes, volcano illustrations, and dramatic cozy art.
Colors used: Y10, R340, YR180, Y63, 101
• Fill in the rock shape using Y10 as the bright lava base.
• Define rock segments with R340 to create cracked stone shapes.
• Shade between cracks using YR180 for depth and heat.
• Add glowing lava lines with Y63, then finish with highlight dots using 101 white acrylic pen.
Crystal rocks are perfect for magical scenes, cute fantasy illustrations, and calming sparkle effects.
Colors used: Y010, RV320, V24, Y3, G2, pencil, 101
• Color each crystal facet using Y010, RV320, V24, Y3, and G2.
• Add shadows at the crystal bases using the same colors in slightly heavier layers.
• Use a white pencil to add sharp highlights along crystal edges.
• Finish by adding sparkles and shine details with 101 white acrylic pen.
These four rock coloring styles are easy to mix and match in cute coloring pages, cozy nature illustrations, kawaii art, and aesthetic backgrounds. You can keep the steps simple or layer more details depending on your mood.
If you’d like to practice these rock coloring techniques right away, you can download a free printable coloring page to try them out. It’s a simple and relaxing way to explore mossy rocks, sandstone textures, glowing lava, and crystal sparkles at your own pace.
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