There is something about the nostalgic feel and waxy smell of crayons that brings back happy childhood memories for many people. Crayons are relatively inexpensive and often come in sets featuring many options, which allow you to create dynamic art pieces full of vivid colors. But do crayons work with adult coloring books?
Many adults love coloring with crayons, even in infamously detailed adult coloring books. Using a box of crayons with many different tints and shades allows the artist to create dynamic scenes with their coloring pages. Crayola crayons are a popular option for both their quality, variety of colors, and lower price point. However, art companies like Caran d’Ache produce more sophisticated crayons meant for adult use that will complement the elegant illustrations found in adult coloring books.
You can get very creative when using these waxy tools. Crayons are useful for creating layers with great depth. Some artists like to use a dab of baby oil to blend their crayon pigment, creating an effect similar to watercolor. And if your crayon runs low, instead of throwing it away you can melt down your stubs and make new crayons. Not just for children, this fun medium can unlock your creativity in new ways.
How do you sharpen crayons?
It is easier to color when your crayons are as sharp as possible, particularly if your coloring page includes lots of tight spaces and small, intricate details. To properly sharpen your crayon, hold it steady while moving the sharpener, rather than twisting the crayon and holding the sharpener stationary. This will give you a smoother, sharper crayon tip and produce the best pigment. Keeping a sharp tip also allows for a more even application.
If you have lots of crayons in your palette to keep sharp, consider investing in an electric sharpener. Elmer’s makes a sharpener specifically for use with crayons; it even peels back the paper label for you automatically. If you are looking for a sharpener that is more analog (or more cost-effective) the General’s All Art pencil sharpener works well on crayons, charcoal pencils, pastel pencils, or any other softer core writing utensil.
What are the Best Types of Crayons for Adults to Use?
You will want to select a palette with lots of different colors. While there is certainly nothing wrong with using whatever tools you have at your disposal, even if that is just a classic Crayola eight-pack, you may find that your coloring page pops more when you have more options from which to choose. You may find it easier to create gradient blends, shades, and shadows with more tools in your box.
The Crayola 64 pack is a great option for adults, as it contains a wealth of tints and shades and comes in different color palettes. The classic craft company even allows you to build your custom box on its website; you can choose from themes such as Sunrise Sunset, Sea Sky, and their Glitter Assortment. As a bonus, the 64-pack even comes with its crayon sharpener. While your crayons will arrive perfectly sharpened, you may want to organize the colors to make them easier to find in a hurry.
Avoid using crayons designed for young children, if possible. Children and adults have different abilities and needs. Some crayons are designed to be easier to hold to assist young students with their fine motor skills, such as these BIC Kids Triangular Crayons. The triangular shape helps teach young kids how to hold their writing utensils, as crayons are very often their first experience holding any kind of tool. While the pyramid shape is a handy feature for young artists, it is not particularly necessary for adults.
Similarly, washable crayons are great for children who may still be learning the differences between paper, fabric, and walls. But most adults shouldn’t need this feature. Buying non-washable crayons can give you brighter pigments and more vivid colors.
Crayola Twistables
For those who prefer not to stop and sharpen their crayons, Crayola makes these Twistables that never need to be sharpened or peeled. One downside is that they feature more of a rounded tip and don’t get as sharp as a classic crayon, making it harder to color in small details. However, Twistables do work very well for larger areas and backgrounds. The 24-pack even includes a few color blends, which can yield some impressive effects.
Crayola Colors of the World
Crayola gets points for introducing its Colors of the World box, inviting artists to “find your skin tone crayon.” These inclusive crayons are available in a 24-pack, featuring a variety of skin colors, or a 32-pack, which includes 24 skin tones plus eight colors meant for hair and eyes. Whether you are coloring a self-portrait or just want the illustrations in your favorite coloring book to reflect the real world, colors of the World celebrates the beauty of diversity.
Caran d’Ache Neocolour I Water-Resistant Wax Pastels
Founded in 1915, Caran d’Ache provides high-quality art supplies that are manufactured in Geneva, Switzerland. Favored by professional and hobbyist artists alike, these wax pastels offer a more sophisticated experience than your classic Crayola. One interesting thing about these versatile pastels is that you can use them “on a variety of materials including paper, cardboard, glass, leather, and wood.”
Caran d’Ache Neocolour II Artists’ Crayons
Similar to Copic markers, these artists’ crayons offer superior quality, due to their “excellent lightfastness, high pigment concentration, and adaptability to a variety of techniques.” However, they do come with a higher price tag, running about $2.25 per crayon.
More about crayons HERE!
Tips and Tricks for Adult Coloring with Crayons
Crayons can be incredibly versatile. Don’t be afraid to get creative and play with the medium.
Blending Colours Using Crayons
When blending colors with crayons, it is best to start with your lightest color first, gradually layering darker colors on top. This is a great way to create a gradient effect with your crayons, adding depth and dimension to your piece. Use a light touch with each layer so the wax doesn’t build too much, prohibiting you from adding more colors on top.
You can also blend different colors using a cotton swab and some baby oil. Start by adding color to your drawing; use a bit more pressure to create bold and saturated colors. Dip your cotton swab in a bit of baby oil and use it to gradually push the pigments around (almost like a paintbrush), creating an effect that looks similar to watercolor paint.
You needn’t use a lot of oil, as you do not want to oversaturate your coloring page. This technique works best with thicker paper; if using a thinner stock, like standard printer paper, the oil may cause your paper to pucker or tear. You may want to consider testing the baby oil method on scrap paper before committing it to your final project.
Warm Up Your Paper
Since crayons are typically made from soft and pliable wax, they melt very easily. However, this allows artists to play with the medium in fun and unexpected ways. You may have seen folks drip melted crayons on pumpkins to create beautiful and colorful fall displays that do not require any carving. Similarly, if you warm up your paper before applying the crayons, the warm surface will give the crayons a nice melted effect, resulting in more vivid and saturated colors.
Using a hairdryer or other warming device, apply heat to your coloring page and then use your crayons while it is still warm. This works best if you warm up one section at a time, coloring before it has a chance to cool off. You don’t want to touch your heat source directly to the paper and risk starting a fire, but a bit of warmth might help make your crayons pop on the page.
Use a Craft Knife for Added Detail
If you want to add an extra layer of dimension to your crayon illustration, try using a craft knife. Since crayons are so waxy, it’s very easy to scratch. This works well for adding strands of hair, wood grain, veins in flowers or leaves, and any other fine detail work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you mix crayons with colored pencils, markers, or other mediums?
Mixing up your materials is a great way to add depth and variety to your coloring piece. Yet due to the waxy texture of crayons, few mediums work well when layered on top. There is an easy workaround for this though – just use your colored pencils or markers first, and layer your crayons second.
What kind of paper should I use?
You want your paper to have some teeth to it to properly showcase the vivid pigments of your crayons. If you plan to layer your colors, textured paper will be more likely to absorb the waxy texture without tearing or puckering.
Maximize the benefits of coloring with my free adult coloring eBook and by signing up for my email newsletter HERE!
Disclaimer: The information provided by ColoringMasterpiece.com (“The Site”) is for general informational purposes only. All information on the Site is provided in good faith, however, we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of any information on the Site. Under no circumstance shall we have any liability to you for any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of the use of the Site or Reliance on any information provided on the Site. Your use of the Site and your reliance on any information on the Site is solely at your own risk. This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult a legal expert to address your specific needs.
Terms and Conditions: https://coloringmasterpiece.com/terms-and-conditions/
