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Adult Coloring Books – Top 13 Tips for New Colorists

By Adult Colorist 25 Comments

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Adult Coloring Books – Top 13 Tips for New Colorists

Tips for New to Adult Coloring Books

  1. Always test any markers or gel pens you use on a page in the back or the cover page to check to see if it bleeds through or leaves a shadow, particularly if the book has double-sided pages.
  2. Slip a piece of paper behind the page you are coloring just to protect the pages behind from denting them if you have a heavy hand or bleed-through issues.
  3. Sharpen your pencil more than you think you need to.
  4. Slow down – you aren’t selling these pages. Enjoy yourself and you will be happier with your colorings.
  5. Buy books one at a time so you can see which ones you really like to color in. (I have wasted way too much money buying books I really don’t enjoy)
  6. If you color in public, another tip is to take an extra book (maybe one of those you don’t particularly like) your friend will walk in and want to join in when they see what you are doing.
  7. Go to the biggest art store in town to check which pencils you like the feel of. Playing with pencils is so great and they will usually have them available to buy one at a time. The prices on Amazon are always cheaper but that way you can test them all. I bought a few of each kind and brought them home. Plus you can never have too many pencils!! That’s a rule!
  8. Buy the biggest selection of colors that you can afford. It ends up being cheaper than buying a small box of 12 or 24 and then filling in with singles. I find 36 colors is a minimum number as those sets usually have 3 of each color so you can have a base color + shading and highlighting colors. You can buy individual pencils of all the top loved at Dick Blick’s and the prices are great Testing them out will save you lots of time and money.
  9. Print out free to-color pages you find online. I have a huge list of them here.
  10. Join a Colouring / Coloring Book Facebook page to learn and get support. There are dozens! If you join one that’s drama-filled.. leave and look for another. Most of them are lovely and are how I’ve learned a ton of my tips and techniques. Join the Coloring Book Addicts here.
  11. Search YouTube for tutorials – there are thousands.
  12. Look for local coloring groups. Check Meetup and your local library or art club. I am helping to start one in my area with the Library in my town. I can’t wait to meet other coloring book addicts!
  13. Have fun and color outside the lines.. it’s ok! 

I had to add one more because when I received this book it is perfect for new colorists and I had to let everyone know about it!

The New Guide To Coloring

Colored Pencil Techniques + Tips and Tricks for Colorists of all skill levels

This book has everything you ever wanted to know about coloring in adult coloring books but didn’t know how to ask. From basic blending, shading and highlighting techniques to complex color theory, ideas for things to do with your colorings and advice on supplies. The amount of knowledge in the coloring book bible will blow you away. It is published by Design Originals and the editors of DO Magazine.

Click to Order Amazon US   Amazon UK   Amazon Canada

Color Workshop: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Artistic Effects

I haven’t gotten to see this book in person yet but from the rave reviews, I’m going to recommend it anyway. I’ve gotten pretty good at spotting “paid for” type reviews and these are not that type.

Rachel Reinert has also created two coloring books so included in this instruction book are 20 designs for you to follow her directions step by step to create your own masterpieces. She teaches how to shade and highlight hair, feathers, flowers, and leaves, and how to add backgrounds, water droplets, and auras. She explores each type of supply both wet and dry mediums. If you are just starting out, I’d recommend getting one of these two books. From the things included in this one, it may be a bit more advanced than the one by Design Originals.

How to Color Like an Artist

Colored Pencil Tips Including Blending & Shading

Colorist’s Special Effects

Encyclopedia of Coloured Pencil Techniques

A complete step-by-step directory of key techniques

Click to Order Amazon US, UK or Canada

color outside the lines coloring books
Adult Coloring has NO rules!

Explore our lists of top-rated Coloring Books for Adults

I STRONGLY recommend downloading the Michaels App to your smartphone. That way you always have the coupons with you. I ALWAYS forget the coupons at home or in the other car or the other purse.. you get me.. right?

Shop Dick Blick

www.dickblick.com

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Angie Snow says

    What are the best markers to use for coloring in the larger sections? Looking for one that doesn’t bleed through. I currently use the Staedtler pens but they are quite small at the tip and while great for the smaller sections, I wouldn’t use them for the larger areas. Thanks!

    Reply

    • Coloring Book Addict says

      It really depends on the book. If you don’t push too hard the Tombows do nicely but always check the paper on a back page so you don’t mess up a page you don’t want to mess up. 🙂 You can always put a piece of paper behind if you are working in a one sided coloring book.

      Reply

      • Mary says

        All good tips! I agree with buying a large coloring supplies since a variety of colors is needed for proper shading. The tip to bring an extra book in public is so thoughtful. Donating to dialysis units or other health facilities is also a nice idea, especially if you have books you dont care for anymore.

        Reply

  2. Farhana.H says

    I totally agree on point no 5. Keep on buying and end up..we dont like it. Waste money.. right ? Thanks for the tips. ?

    Reply

  3. Joanne Z. says

    I love your website! Thanks for the great information. It’s been a big help as I rediscover this fun hobby that I loved so much as a child. I hope to have a coloring get-together with a big group of my lady friends sometime soon, and your site will be very useful in planning it. Great job!

    Reply

    • Addicted Colorist says

      Hi Joanne! Thanks so much for the wonderful compliment. It is a fun hobby to share with others, I’ve worked with our local library and we are having our 5th coloring and coffee event tonight. It has been waitlisted each month so far.

      Reply

  4. DonnaG. says

    I have become very addicted to coloring ever since I discovered adult coloring books on the web about two years ago, way before they lately have become a craze. I have a huge stack of books that I have purchased during this time. I have a big box of colored pencils and even purchased a nice electric pencil sharpener from Amazon, so I can sharpen them frequently. I find that colored pencils made by Crayola work well for me. I have a variety of books but I prefer coloring flower prints. To add variety, I like to skip around and color a couple of pages from one of my books and then change to another book. I like to color while listening to tv programs. Sometimes I get so engrossed in coloring that I have to force myself to quit so that I can go to bed! I’m so happy that I discovered this site and look forward to hearing hearing about the coloring habits of other addicts.

    Best wishes and happy coloring! Donna G.

    Reply

  5. Rhonda Carrell says

    I’m completely obsessed with adult coloring. I can’t wait until January 1, 2016 when my retirement begins so I can feed my obsession without having to worry about sleeping. 🙂 I enjoy your tutorials. Please keep them coming.

    Reply

  6. Bekki says

    I love the idea of putting paper between the pages and protecting the ones behind them!! Love that tip!! I also totally need to work on #4. The problem is I have 2 kids who play sports and don’t seem to have any time to color. So when I do I want to finish something and then I start to hurry and the relaxed feeling goes away!

    Reply

  7. Mandy Thakkar says

    All good tips! I agree with buying a large coloring supplies since a variety of colors is needed for proper shading. The tip to bring an extra book in public is so thoughtful.

    Reply

  9. Ginny Webb says

    Where have you been all my life?!?! I looked up one simple thing on Google which led me to this site. I have been reading for about an hour and have added $1.5 million to my Amazon cart. (My husband will be so pleased.) I also requested to join your Facebook group. I have a rare genetic disorder and I’m basically homebound. Coloring and reading are my two favorite pastimes. I will now be using my extensive eye shadow collection for coloring backgrounds (what I initially Googled), because who needs make-up when you never leave the house??

    Reply

    • Addicted Colorist says

      Hi Ginny! What a fun message to receive first thing in the morning! I’m happy you found me! Our Facebook group is very nice and friendly, I’m sure you will enjoy it. I’m so glad you now have a use for all that eye shadow! Have a wonderful day.

      Reply

  10. Anonymous says

    Hi there..just found your site. I too have returned to coloring. I used to paint..then took up needpoint..even opened a shop in Palm Springs. Ca. Quite some time ago..got involved in many other things and now that I am 80..I’m back to coloring..been buying all the pencils I see..several books. Love amazon!!! Watch everything I can find on U tube..great info..love the reviews. So glad I stumbled on your sight…I have fallen into the same trap as another coloring fan. Start coloring watching (listening to tv) begin at 7 PM. Next thing I know its 4
    30 am..oh well I dont have to be anywhere next day..so I get a snack and color somemore..here is something I discovered that may help others who are taking up coloring again or for first time…word of caution..on Ebay you will find about 7 or more ads for “prismacolor premiere ” pencils..PLEASE LOOK CAREFULLY AT THE PICTURES FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE REAL PACKAGING..THE ONES YOU SEE THAT SHOW PICTURES OF 120 PC SETS ARE FAKES. PRISMACOLOR DOESNT MAKE 120 PC SET FOR ONE THING …I BOUGHT ONE SET OF 96 IN TIN BOX WHITE PENCILS COLOR ON UPPER END. PRETTY INEXPENSIVE. FAKE..ALBEIT NOT BAD BUT DECEPTIVE..EVEN PRISMACOLOR PENCIL CO. WAS UNAWARE THIS WAS GOING ON UNTIL I CALLED AND ALERTED THEM…IN SHORT ,AMAZON IS A BETTER PLACE TO SHOP FOLKS.! THERE ARE A COUPLE LARGE SETS OF INEXPENSIVE PENCILS THAT ARE ACTUALLY Very favorably comparable to the high priced ones..138..to 160 PC. Costing 22.to24 . I’ve bought them all prisma. Polychromo. Wax based oil based. It’s up to individual which is best..I’ve used some I got for free with books that were the best..and others you have to sell a kidney for that are awful…that being said the point is ENJOY YOURSELVES WITH WHATEVER SUPPLIES YOU LIKE USING..FOR MOST PART I BET YOU WIND UP MIXING AND MATCHING WHEN AKL IS SAID AND DONE..MY EXPERIENCE..FOR WHAT ITS WORTH IS. ALWAYS BUY THE BIGGEST SET YOU CAN GET YOUR HANDS ON OF THE ARTIST VARIETY BECAUSE IN THE LONG RUN IT WILL COST HALF AS MUCH AS A MEDIUM SIZE SET AND FILLING IN WITH SINGLE PENCIL OPEN STICK..NOT TO MENTION A ZILLION TRIPS TO ART STORE TO SECURE MISSING COLORS THAT USUALLY ARE OUT OF STOCK BECAUSE EVERYONE ELSE IS DOING THE SAME DANCE AS YOU. ENJOY YOUSELVES FOLKS..I DIDNT MEAN TO RAMBLE ON..WISH SOMEONE WOULD HAVE TOLD ME SOME OF THIS MONTHS AGO. ILL DONATE WHAT I DONT WANT OR NEED TO A DIALYSIS CENTER AND CONSIDER IT WELL WORTH WHAT I SPENT!

    Reply

    • Addicted Colorist says

      I’m so glad you found coloring as a hobby and that you are back to it. Sounds like you have some beautiful supplies. I have found that Prismacolors are also the preferred colored pencils for mixed media artists as well for all sorts of different effects in your art work. I hope you are having a wonderful day and thank you for sharing.

      Reply

  11. Anonymous says

    Coloring is such a great way to destress. Lately I’ve been obsessed with watercolor pencils. I love the way that the colors interact with each other when used on really good card stock.

    Reply

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