Abstract: Self-healing coating compositions are provided. In embodiments, such a composition comprises a liquid medium and a network of hollow capsules extending through the liquid medium in three dimensions, the network comprising a plurality of chains formed from the hollow capsules, aggregates of the hollow capsules, or both, wherein exterior surfaces of the hollow capsules of the plurality of chains define a plurality of channels filled with the liquid medium, and wherein the coating composition has a room temperature viscosity greater than that of the liquid medium. Coated surfaces formed from the compositions and methods of protecting surfaces using the compositions are also provided.