Coloring is a creative and relaxing hobby for adults and children alike. Adult coloring books or elaborate illustrations printed from the internet are inexpensive resources that can help you relieve stress while expressing your creativity in a low-stakes setting. But what is the best way to color correctly?
How do you color properly? The best way to color is to choose a coloring book that excites you, take your time while coloring, and choose the right medium for each piece. While there are no hard and fast rules in art, and you should feel free to experiment with different mediums, it does help – particularly for beginners – to have the right tools for the job. Well, sharpened colored pencils and thinly tipped markers work best for the tiny, detailed illustrations found in adult coloring books. Yet if you know how to best use the mediums in front of you, you needn’t feel restrained by these tools – you can mix mediums and experiment with different materials.
There is no need to rush while coloring; it is not a race, and you won’t get extra points for finishing faster. Take your time and enjoy the process. Consider the colors that you are using and take time to select the best ones for each feature. If you are overwhelmed by too many choices, consider limiting your palette. For instance, try using only fall colors or even using different tints and shades of the same primary color. Sometimes limiting your choices can help unleash greater creativity.
Find a comfortable spot, play some relaxing music if you like, and grab your favorite coloring book or illustration. Don’t worry about making mistakes; no one is grading or judging your work. Coloring is about relaxing and achieving a meditative state while expressing your creativity in a low-risk environment.
What Kind of Paper Should I Use for Coloring?
As a rule, a thicker stock of paper works better than your regular bulk copy or printer paper. Ideally, you want your paper to have some texture, or teeth, to it. You don’t want a thin paper that will easily pucker or tear when too much pressure is applied. A thicker, sturdier paper will help your colors genuinely pop and look their best.
Most adult coloring books are made with sturdy paper, but you may want to color lightly until you feel what your paper can handle. If you are printing coloring pages from the internet, you may want to use a thicker paper grade than standard copy fare.
If you are using an adult coloring book, choose one with illustrations that speak to you. Coloring shouldn’t feel like work or a chore, but rather a relaxing oasis. You will get more enjoyment from coloring illustrations to which you feel a connection rather than shooting for the most complicated or intricate drawings; remember that coloring is not a contest, and no one is judging you for accuracy.
Use a light touch while coloring, keeping plenty of space between your hand and the paper. This will help prevent you from breaking your colored pencil or crayon or damaging the tip of your marker. Start light and gradually add layers, slowly darkening the illustration as desired.
Finding the Proper Coloring Tools
Learning how to use your artistic tools properly will help you get the best performance out of them. Adult coloring books are a great option as they relieve stress while promoting a state of meditation. What separates them from traditional children’s coloring books is their tiny, intricate illustrations. When coloring in such a book, it’s best to use a fine tip to help you stay inside the lines while coloring small shapes.
Feel free to mix mediums within the same drawing. You can use crayons or pastels to fill in your background or larger shapes, colored pencils, gel pens, or a fine-tip marker to color in the smaller details.
Don’t be afraid to layer your colors. This will enable you to create new color blends by combining two or more colors or playing with the same pigment’s tints and shades. This is a great way to create different effects, such as adding light sources or shadows to your drawings. To add a natural light source, keep your colors lighter near the light, getting gradually darker while moving farther away.
Coloring with Colored Pencils
Despite the name, colored pencils are quite different in composition from traditional number two pencils. Rather than the graphite found in regular writing pencils, colored pencils have a core made from oil or wax and use a combination of pigment and a binder to create color.
Wax-based colored pencils tend to be easier to work with than oil-based, but you can still find many inexpensive wax pencils that will serve you well. If possible, it’s best to avoid pencils containing more binder than pigment, as they are harder to work with and tend to produce a patchy color.
Whichever type of colored pencil you choose, be sure to keep them sharp. Blunt tips don’t distribute pigment, as well as an adequately sharpened tip does. Sharp tips also help you color in the little detail work on mandalas or other adult coloring pages.
An electric sharpener works best for colored pencils, as it will get them as sharp as possible while keeping the wood smooth. However, if you only have a handheld, don’t fret; try holding your pencil still while moving the sharpener, as this will help give you a more even tip.
When coloring with these versatile tools, start with a light touch, leaving plenty of space between your hand and the paper. You can add more layers to create a darker shade with more pigment, but it is best to start light as it is harder to remove pigment than it is to add it.
Coloring with Markers
Markers tend to release more pigment than colored pencils. They also contain more water, making them a wetter medium. Test your markers on a similar paper to your coloring book to ensure the colors do not bleed through or cause your paper to pucker. As with colored pencils, you are starting with as light of touch as possible will help. Don’t be afraid to leave some white spaces on the page; you can always go back and add another layer of the same color or blend in another color.
If coloring in an adult coloring book, skinnier markers with a chiseled tip will serve you best. A fine tip will help you fill tight corners and other small spaces with color. Don’t use too much pressure, as that could compromise the integrity of your marker.
Check out our article on the best markers here!
Coloring with Crayons
While crayons are traditionally thought of as a children’s tool, there is no reason adults cannot enjoy their bright pigments and nostalgic waxy smell. As with colored pencils, crayons work best when they’re correctly sharpened.
While you may not find even the sharpest of crayons to be the best fit for some smaller shapes, feel free to mix mediums. Use crayons to fill in your background and something with a finer tip for your detailed work. You can also use a drop of baby oil on the tip of a cotton swab to blend the color while creating some cool shading effects.
Enjoy the Process!
Keep in mind that there are no strict art rules; you can use any medium or material that helps you express your feelings. Adult coloring is as much about the journey as it is the result; you don’t need to stay entirely in the lines or create a masterpiece to enjoy the healthy benefits of coloring. Try not to judge your work or get too wrapped up in the result. Simultaneously, if coloring one illustration feels like too much of a chore, feel free to switch to a new one that is more engaging.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you create textures while coloring?
Most people tend to color in the same direction while working on a piece, which is fine if you prefer a lovely, uniform artwork. However, varying your lines can add texture, giving your piece more dimension. Instead of standard back-and-forth lines, try a circular motion or vary your straight lines’ direction. You can also create cross-hatching by coloring in one direction, such as top to bottom, and then adding a layer over the top going side to side.
What is the best type of coloring book to use?
Whichever you like! Select a coloring book or print coloring pages that speak to you and make you feel excited to color. Mandalas are particularly effective at relieving stress, but any illustration you are drawn to can have beneficial effects. However, a better quality paper will make a better showcase for your art. If printing at home, use a thicker stock that can adequately hold your pigment.
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