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Coloring Supplies for Seniors or Colorists with Physical Limitations

January 2, 2021 By Addicted Colorist 4 Comments

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easy coloring for seniors

Coloring Supply Recommendations for Seniors

Because arthritis and reduced vision often are issues for seniors or anyone with physical or vision disabilities, we recommend using coloring materials that are easy to get color out of without pressing too hard. Many of the senior friends in my coloring group seem to prefer gel pens and markers over colored pencils.

Best Markers for Seniors

My favorite non-bleeding marker to use in coloring books are the Artist Quality Faber Castell Pitt Pens. 

This set of 24 Faber Castell Pitt artist brush pens come in a handy slide-out case

faber castell artist grade pitt pens

Click to order Amazon US  –  UK  –  Canada

BIG Brush Pitt Pen Markers make marker use easier for seniors.

There is a gift box set of the BIG Brush Pitt Pen Markers with 15 colors. It says it’s for stampers but these are Pitt Pens at a decent price. These would be really nice for seniors with arthritis because of the bigger size barrel.

Order these Pitt Pens from Amazon US   Amazon UK   Amazon Canada

Tombow Dual Brush Pens

I asked for feedback from everyone and have had a few people let me know they loved using Tombow Dual Brush Pens. Their flexible brush tip for large areas and the fine tip work wonderfully for those with pain, stiffness or weakness in their hands. Each set comes with a colorless blender which works to fade out colors and to blend two of them together. I have some of those and haven’t tried them in my books yet! I do use the Tombow Brush Pens in flesh tones in my mixed media girls quite a bit.

There’s a set of every color which is fabulous. I’ve bought smaller sets along the way and then filled in with purchases of single colors in the fancy art stores. I’m sure I would have saved a ton of money if I’d just have ponied up and bought this set to start with.

96 Color Set with Desk Stand. Blendable, Brush and Fine Tip Markers with Stand

Even though the picture shows them upright, please store horizontally to get the best performance and life in your markers. These are water-based so don’t bleed through the paper like Copics or other alcohol markers but I’d still take care and test them on the test pages at the front or back of your book before I trusted any marker completely.

Full Set Tombow Markers for seniors with arthritis

Click to order the full set of Tombow Dual Brush Pens Amazon US, UK or Canada. Unfortunately, Michaels doesn’t sell this big pack.

Tombow offers several options for smaller sets so you can try them out. Many of the colors are quite bright so to test to see what you like I’d recommend a set of the pastel or skin tone markers as well as a brighter one.

tombow pastel dual brush pens for senior hands

Pastel Dual Brush Pens Amazon US, UK or Canada or at Michaels (Don’t forget to use your coupon + Seniors get 10% off every day)

Tombow Galaxy 10 Pack Dual Brush Pens

tombow dual brush pens for senior hands

Click to Order Amazon US, UK or Canada or at Michaels

The other option for non-bleeding markers is these Staedtler’s recommended by Johanna Basford.

Triplus Staedtler Fine Line Markers – I adore these markers and usually have them in my coloring bag. The 24 pack has a cool stand-up case which is perfect if you like to take your coloring with you.

  • Triplus Staedtler Fine Line Pens 36 Colors US
  • Triplus Staedler Fine Line Pens 36 Colors UK
  • Triplus Staedler Fine Line Pens 36 Colors Canada 
staedtler fine liners
staedtler fine point pens

This is the smaller Staedtler selection of colors with the portable stand-up case.

Staedtler Markers Set of 20 Amazon US   UK   Canada

If you are coloring on one-sided paper then good old Crayola Supertips are perfect and you can’t beat that price point for 100 gorgeous colors. They DO bleed but if you just put a scratch piece of paper behind your picture, you will be fine.

super tips crayola markers big size make it easier for seniors to grip

Set of 100 Crayola Super Tip Markers

Gel Pens for Coloring

Gel pens, particularly the glitter and metallic ones are also a favorite because they give such vibrant color with little effort. Gelly Rolls are still my favorite of all that I’ve used, they are just consistently great and last for years! I had some stashed in my scrapbooking supplies from the 90’s and they still write! I even have some colors that aren’t available anymore so win/win for me.

Gelly Roll Gel Pens

Sakura’s Gelly Roll Glitter Pens come in several different types of Gel Pens for Coloring 

gelly roll gel pens metallic
  1. Sakura Gelly Roll Stardust Meteor Pen Set Metallic silver, marine, copper, pink, green and blue. 
    Click to Order Amazon US  ~   UK   ~ Canada
  2. Sakura Stardust Galaxy Set which includes: rose, sky, lime, purple, golden and red.
    Click to Order Amazon US   ~  UK  ~  Canada
  3. Metallic Gel Pens -1.0 Metallic: 2 Gold, Silver, Copper, Blue, Purple, Pink,  Green, Teal, and Red 
    Click to Order Amazon US   ~  UK  ~  Canada
  4. White Gelly Rolls – These are really fun to use for special effects over your pencils or to highlight or dot however we actually prefer the Signo White Gel Pens for that purpose.
  5. Clear Glitter Gelly Roll Pens – Perhaps our favorite of them all is the clear glitter because you can apply it over the top of the pencil and some markers to get any color of glitter you want. Very effective for fairy wings or crystals.  
    Click to order: Amazon  US  ~   UK  ~  Canada
  6. Classic Gelly Roll Pens
    Click to order:  Amazon US   ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Canada
  7. 75 piece Gelly Roll Artists Collection of Pens. Of course, the granddaddy and the best value, if you are splurging, is this pack with all of the pen!

You can explore more about using gel pens including tutorials here.

Best Colored Pencils for Seniors

If you want to use colored pencils for shading I do strongly recommend artist quality pencils because getting the pigment out of the stick is just SO much easier. I love my Prismacolors and my Polychromos so really it’s a matter of preference of more waxy or more oily, lightfast ratings and the price point. My very favorite budget pencil that although it isn’t artist quality but gives fabulous results is Marco Raffine. If the budget allows the very best pencil I’ve ever used in a coloring book are the Caran D’Ache Pablo colored pencils. They really are a dream, very smooth even application and if you want to color pictures for your kids or grandkids to enjoy for years to come, these beauties have a very high lightfast rating!

  • Caran D’Ache Pablo Colored Pencils Amazon US, UK or Canada
  • Faber Castell Polychromos     Amazon US   UK  Canada
  • Prismacolor Colored Pencils      Amazon US   UK  Canada
  • Marco Raffine Colored Pencils   Amazon US  UK  Canada

Coloring Tools for Senior

To help with sharpening the pencils which can be hard on your hand after an injury or if you have arthritis, an electric sharpener can really make or break this hobby for you.

Electric Pencil Sharpener

Electric Pencil Sharpener

Click to Order Amazon US, UK or Canada

Derwent Battery-Operated Eraser would be great if you erase a lot and could save your hands. It works really well for erasing pastel backgrounds or if you want to lighten up an area for a highlight. You can order refills here: Derwent Battery Eraser refills

Colored Pencil Sharpener, Electric Battery Operated

I recently ordered this pretty aqua sharpener that is just for colored pencils. It has three different sharpening settings and has batteries so that you can take it with you if you color with friends or at the coffee shop and don’t have a plug handy as well as being USB compatible to plug into your laptop or other device.


Click to Order Electric Colored Pencil Sharpener

Pencil Grips

Pencil grips that are easier to grasp are often a godsend to people with gripping weakness or pain.

Many members of our coloring group recommend a few different types.

Egg Shaped Pencils Grips

egg shaped pencil grips for seniors and coloring

Click here to order Egg Shaped Pencil Grips

The Friendly Swede Hand Grip Strength Trainer

Friendly Swede has different levels of grip and different sizes.

FRIENDLY DESIGN: Egg-shaped for a comfortable fit in your hands. Made of skin-safe thermoplastic rubber (TRP). Three size options – for anyone in the family! Extra Small: 2”x1.3” Small: 2.5″ x 1.75″ Large: 3.0″ x 2.2″. Less messy than Therapy Putty. Easy to clean from dust and dirt.

PERFECT FOR: Preventing tension, increasing limberness and alleviating joint pain. Great stress relief toys for adults and kids. Perfect occupational distraction for quitting smoking. Grip muscle training for beginner lifters.

EXERCISE GUIDE: Scroll down on the Amazon listing for handgrip exercise ideas! Always consult with your physician before beginning any physical exercise program for rehabilitation purposes.

Click here to Order from Amazon in the US, UK or Canada

Pencil Holder Pen Writing Aid Grip Posture Correction Tool

“Helping Adult Hands The Pencil Grip is widely used by the millions of Americans diagnosed with hand health issues like Arthritis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Tremors, and a general lack of strength. The Arthritis Foundation recognized The Pencil Grip for ‘helping to improve the quality of life of the millions of Americans with arthritis. “

Click to Order from Amazon in the US, UK or Canada

Lighting aids for Coloring Books

Since vision issues are pretty common as we age (Mine started at 45!) having better lighting while you color will really help with the outcome and your happiness while coloring.

Sofia + Sam Multi Tasking Memory Foam Lap Desk with USB Light

Sofia + Sam Multi Tasking Memory Foam Lap Desk with USB Light

I use my lap desk every day for work, coloring, playing games on my phone, you name it. It also has a retractable LED light for working on tiny details.
Click to Order Amazon US, UK or Canada

LightView Pro Flex Magnifying Lamp – 2 in 1 Clamp Table & Desk Lamp

LightView Pro Flex Magnifying Lamp - 2 in 1 Clamp Table & Desk Lamp

Click to Order Amazon US, UK or Canada

If you have an idea that I haven’t included please let me know in the comments below or on social media.

Senior Friendly Coloring Books

Cancer Survivor Coloring Books

Chrissy and the crew at the Coloring Book Addict

  • ColoringBookAddict.com
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Filed Under: Art Supplies, Coloring Supplies Tagged With: Coloring Supplies, seniors

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How to Use Stencils in Mixed Media Art

December 21, 2020 By Mixed Media Art Newbie Leave a Comment

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my art supply stash with stencils, stamps and ink from scrapbook.com

Stencils have always intimidated me, probably because the decor fad of the 80’s when I bought my first home was to stencil things on your walls, and they had to look perfect! I tried them a few times and they were always crooked or not filled in all the way, or the edges looked too smudgy, just not the look but in mixed media, smudgy, crooked, imperfect perfection is the goal.

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A post shared by Mixed Media Artist (@christinefaithart)

I think I belong to a large club of art supply collectors who don’t necessarily USE all the lovely things we buy. I wanted to start using some of my pretties so have been watching the masters use their stencils in unique ways in art projects and journals.

my art supply stash with stencils, stamps and ink from scrapbook.com

Well, I have used a few of these at least! Good to look back at pictures of my pretties from Scrapbook.com.

Stenciling Techniques for Mixed Media Art

Tamara Laport goes through several different ways to use her whimsical stencil pack including spray inks, heavy body acrylics, liquid acrylics, modeling paste and more.

Tamara Laport Stencil Ideas Tips & Tricks


Another of my art journaling heroes is Dina Wakley. She taught me in her art journaling books that it’s OK to copy, it’s OK to trace, it’s OK to learn from your teachers. Yes, you should credit them with being your inspiration of course but if you’ve ever tried to copy what an art teacher does exactly I’m sure you’ve learned that yours looks like a sister or a cousin to the original example but it really never looks EXACTLY like the originals piece of art.

How to Monoprint with Stencils by Dina Wakley – Art Journaling Live

Dina is using a few of her stencils as well as heavy body paint in her demonstration.
Dina Wakley Heavy Body Acrylic Paint
Dina Wakley Mixed Media Stencils
Dina Wakley Art Supplies on Amazon

You can also take art classes from Dina Wakley here.


Tim Holtz Stencil Layering Ideas at CHA

Tim demonstrates how to layer random stencils and stamps with inks to get lots of different effects The goal is always perfectly imperfect. Love that quote from Tim. Stenciling first with acrylic paint and then adding ink on top creates a resist of the original layer.

click here to join or for more information
  • Tim Holtz Layering Stencils – On Amazon
  • Tim Holtz Misters – On Amazon
  • Dylusions Spray Inks – On Amazon
  • Tim Holtz Art Supplies on Amazon

Jessica Sporn demonstrates stenciling on Tissue Paper Techniques starts at about 4:20 and it’s pretty brilliant.

Dry Stencil Techniques from Stencil Girl

She uses pan pastels and sand paper in ways I’ve never seen before in this video tutorial.

I hope these tutorials from some mixed media artists will help you get some of your lovely art supply collection a little dirty instead of staying in their pristine condition in the box. As Dina says. Done is better than perfect!

Shop at Scrapbook.com NOW!
  • Adult Coloring Books – Top 13 Tips for New Colorists
  • Background Coloring Supplies
  • Tim Holtz – King of all Things Distressed
  • How to Collage
  • Tamara Laporte of Willowing and Life Book Fame

Filed Under: Art Supplies, Tutorials Tagged With: Dina Wakley, How To, Mixed Media, Stenciling, Tamara Laporte, Tim Holtz

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How to Collage

December 10, 2020 By Addicted Colorist Leave a Comment

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lifebook online art class for 2021 by tamara laporte

The art of collage goes back to early childhood for most of us, that first paper mache covered balloon project or that jar we made for mom or dad covered in pretty tissue paper started a love for creating art from layering.

You just have a go with collage ideas with Modpodge (for temporary items) or Matt Medium for those that last a bit longer or get some inspiration from a few books I’ve been devouring lately.

I find my collage most pleasing when I do have some sort of color scheme or texture ideas to start with. It looks better if you have different sizes and shapes of ephemera and I rarely like to see a flat edge unless it’s a fancy cut item or die-cut. I like the look of the ripped edges of papers. Remember to layout the papers in all different directions too so your page has the look of organized chaos. If you need more color, use watercolors, watercolor crayons, Tombow brush pens or spray inks, whatever your favorite water-soluble medium is. If you have gotten it too bright and need to bring back the color a bit use your white gesso and the brayer. You can also use a cloth to wipe back the white if you have gone overboard. That’s what I adore about collage, you really can’t ruin it, and more layers make it even yummier.

Collage Idea Books

Extraordinary Things to Cut Out and Collage Paperback

things to cut out and collage

Click to Order Amazon US, UK or Canada or Book Depository

The Collage Ideas Book

the collage ideas book

Please note that this is a TINY book with lots of BIG idea inside.

Click to Order Amazon US, UK or Canada or Book Depository

Project Collage: 50 Projects to Spark Your Creativity 

Collage is the art of reinvention. This magical and tactile process invites you to collect, experiment, combine and transform. These creative mashups don’t require specialist equipment, only everyday materials. It is an art form for everyone and every budget.

Bev Speight
project collage

Click to Order Amazon US, UK or Canada

The Collage Workbook: How to Get Started and Stay Inspired

The Collage Workbook: How to Get Started and Stay Inspired

Click to Order Amazon US, UK or Canada

Painted Paper Art Workshop

Easy and Colorful Collage Paintings. Step-by-step instructions for creating your own painted paper collage–from underpainting and directional ripping and tearing to auditioning your papers and combining collage with mixed media by Elizabeth St. Hilaire.

Painted Paper Art Workshop

Click to Order Amazon US, UK or Canada

Collage Supplies

Supplies can really be anything you have at hand for collage projects. My favorite paper to use is old books, letters, music sheets, maps, dictionaries & bibles.

This really can be free or very cheap! You can use non-glossy magazine pages, old books, old music sheets, letters, envelopes, if you belong to a Buy Nothing Group ask for some there, people are always trying to get rid of their accumulated stuff.

The Antiquarian Sticker Book: Over 1,000 Exquisite Victorian Stickers

Click to Order Amazon US, UK Europe or Canada

Scrapbook Paper

If you were or still are a scrapbooker, raid those supplies! The non-cardstock versions work perfectly for collage.

Supporting Independent Artists has been my goal since I created this website and mixed media artists are no exception.

One of my favorite teachers Toni Burt offers some of her delicious collaged papers to use in your own art journal in her Etsy shop.

Toni Burt Collage Papers Instant Download

Mulberry Paper

I’ve recently discovered this magical paper with bits of leaves and flower petals and other lovely textures.

This selection has bright lovely colors and contains 50 Sheets Mixed Colors A4 Sheets Thin Mulberry Paper

Click to Order Amazon US, Europe, UK or Canada

Neutral Colored Mulberry Paper

This lovely stuff has bits of Tamarind Leaves, Onion, Banana Tree Fiber, Rice Straw and more.

Click to Order Amazon US, Europe, UK or Canada

Solid and Neutral Mulberry Paper for Collage

Click to Order Mulberry Paper US, UK, Canada or Europe

Green Mulberry Paper

Dick Blick has a really inexpensive pack of 6×6″ mulberry paper scraps that would be perfect for your collage needs. Each pack is different so you could order several

Click to Order from Dick Blick Here

Vintage Papers are a favorite of mine, they add such warmth to the page. This Etsy seller has a huge variety to offer.

Click to Order

Ephemera

Such a fancy word for junk paper! Really this is anything you have laying about, old tickets, envelopes, cards, paper scraps of any kind, things you’ve cut out of magazines or ads. Tim Holtz is the king of cool ephemera so you can find a TON at Michaels or Amazon.

Die Cuts

The fancy cutting is already done for you on these vintage flowers & butterflies.

Serviettes – Paper Napkins

If you attend any parties, start snagging up a napkin to take home for your stash! If you have some artsy friends, see if you can do some trading. One of my favorites spots in the US to get pretty napkins is Tuesday Morning! Michaels has some bright colored basics with holiday ones emerging of course. Watch for those sales on those!

Amazon has a decent selection as well. I love using napkins in my collages.

I have these pretty birds and use them all the time.
Click to Order

This is a fabulous printed tissue paper assortment.

The Graphics Fairy has a ton of inexpensive papers you can print here as well as some amazing ideas and tutorials.

Rubber Brayer

This essential little tool really comes in handy for making sure your layers of collage stay tidy and don’t crumple but you’ll need to to spread gesso too.

This speedball one at Michaels is perfect, remember to use your 40% off coupon, that’s how I built up my art supply stash for sure.

The best selection of brayers I’ve seen is at Dick Blick so take a look here.

Lots of Speedball Brayer options on Amazon too

Click to Order Amazon US, UK, Europe or Canada

You just need cheap paint brushes, they will get all gloppy with the glue anyway so use your old ones.

This is a great selection and price if you want a few brushes to get started with. If you get serious about acrylic painting or watercolor, that is the time to invest in good brushes, for art journaling and collage, there really is not need. Save your money for pretty inks.

Stencils

I did a full writeup on using stencils in your mixed media work and I’ve also used them for back grounds on my coloring pages as well.

Dick Blick has a large selection of all sorts of stencils including furniture DIY and adhesive stencils here.

I’m pretty obsessed with all of Tim Holtz layering stencils here at Michaels & a bigger selection here at Amazon.

Stencils on Etsy

Etsy has a huge selection of stencils from Indie Artists! These accidentally just spilled into my cart last night. OOPS!

ASC Supplies has some gorgeous stencils I’d never seen before

NEW Foliage Stencil by Lavinia Stamps 

Wallpaper Fantasy by Stamperia

I fell in love with this stencil, it has everything I like on my pages, music notes, words, and random patterns.

I have these Tim Holtz Stencils on my Christmas Wish List

These layering flower stencils hold so much promise don’t they? I must have them!

All of the art classes I’ve talked about on the site also use all sorts of ideas and methods with Collage, Tamara Laport in Lifebook, Jane Davenport in her art journals, Micki Wilde in her creature paintings, really all mixed media artists use this fun technique to create a layer to either show through or be part of the story they are telling with their art. Give it a try, I think you might just fall in love with the art form.

  • Life Book Art Supply List
  • Life Book Art Journaling Mixed Media Course 2021
  • Paper Dolls for Adults
  • Tim Holtz Mixed Media
  • Hand-Lettering – Best ‘How To’ Books and Lettering Supplies

Filed Under: Adult Activity Books, Art Supplies Tagged With: Art Journal, Art Journaling, art supplies

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Top Coloring Supplies

October 16, 2020 By Addicted Colorist Leave a Comment

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colored pencils for adult coloring

Every year new coloring supplies come into the market and in 2020 these were the most popular & purchased items by the Coloring Book Addict Fans. They aren’t necessarily my preferred / recommended supplies so I have editorialized the list below. I’ve listed the top 10 coloring supplies in a few categories below.

Top Colored Pencils 2020

  1. Prismacolor Colored Pencils 72 Colors – Probably my favorite too. Prismacolor Colored Pencils various sizes
  2. Crayola Colored Pencils 50 Colors ( recommend Marco Raffines over these for pigmentation and blending)
  3. Castle Art Colored Pencils ( I haven’t heard of them but they have amazing Amazon reviews and a low price)
  4. Marco Raffine – 72 Colors (These are my favorite budget pencils)
  5. Sargeant Art Pencils 50 Pack
  6. Lyra Rembrandt 72 Colors
  7. Faber Castell 120 Colors – Tons of pigment in these color sticks they rank neck & neck with the Prisma’s for me.
  8. Staedtler Ergosoft Pencils (Johanna Basford’s favorites)
  9. Faber Castell Polychromos Artist Pencils 60 count
  10. Luminance Colored Pencils – the most amazing pencils money can buy, lightfast, creamy dreamy, uber-expensive buy oh my what a treat. I have a small set and adore them. I also use them in my mixed media art.

Top Coloring Gel Pens

  1. Color-it Gel Pens – These were a new supply for me in 2020 but WOW what a punch of glittery shimmery perfect color in my books. Plus the pack they come in is just fantastic.
  2. Sakura Gelly Roll Pens – Big box of 72 – a long time favorite of mine, particularly the sparkly set, you all know I can’t live without the clear sparkle pens that you can use over your pencils or marker marks.
  3. Uniball Signo White Pen in Bold – invaluable for making white highlights and other special features in your coloring.
  4. Reaeon Gel Pens – a set of 100 with 100 refills – 28 Glitter, 18 Metallic, 16 Neon, 15 Pastel, 14 Neon-Glitter, 6 Swirl, 3 Classic
  5. Tanmit Gel Pens set of 100 with 100 refills
  6. Gel Pens – a small set of 30
  7. Glitter Gel Pens, 100 Color
  8. Arteza Gel Pens, set of 60
  9. Shuttle Art Gel Pens, set of 180 with 180 refills
  10. Fiskars 48 Gel Pens

Most Popular Markers in 2020

  1. Staedtler Fine Tips Markers – These are really the only markers I use in my books. Always recommended by our Queen Johanna Basford and still the best. They are bright, never bleed and come in enough colors (36) to keep me happy.
  2. Pentel Markers set of 36
  3. Staedtler Triplus Fineliner Pens – My go-to for fine liner pens in my books, another favorite of Johannas.
  4. Dual Tip Brush Marker Pens by Tanmit 
  5. Dual Tip Art Marker Pens Fine Point Journal Pens & Colored Brush Markers 
  6. iBayam Journal Planner Pens
  7. Arteza Real Brush Pens
  8. Ohuhu 40-color Alcohol Markers – Reminder! Alcohol markers bleed through paper so these should only be used on one-sided images with a barrier behind your coloring page
  9. BIC Intensity Fashion Permanent Markers

Most Popular Pencil Sharpeners

  1. Prismacolor Sharpener
  2. Staedtler Sharpener
  3. Kum 2 Hole Pencil Sharpener – This is my favorite, yes it’s a bit more expensive perhaps but it works on every pencil and never breaks them. Any of the Kum sharpeners are fantastic.
  4. Staedtler 512 001 ST Double-hole Tub Pencil Sharpener – this is my preferred Staedtler sharpener particularly if you have the ergosoft pencils.
  5. Faber-Castell Grip Trio Pencil Sharpener

Other Popular Coloring Supplies

  1. Derwent Blender Burnisher Set
  2. Mungyo Square Chalk, Soft Pastels for Backgrounds
  3. White Posca Pens – Fabulous option for white details in your coloring pages

I hope this helps you narrow down your choices if you don’t want to read through my in-depth supply pages on Colored Pencils, Markers, Gel Pens, and Background Materials.

  • Best Colored Pencils for Coloring Books
  • Best Gel Pens for Adult Coloring Books
  • How to get white in your coloring book pictures
  • Johanna Basford’s Magical Jungle and Johanna’s Christmas
  • Top Hand Lettering Art Supplies

Filed Under: Art Supplies, Coloring Supplies Tagged With: colored pencils, gel pens, pencil sharpeners, White Gel Pens

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Coloring Backgrounds Tutorials

October 13, 2020 By Addicted Colorist Leave a Comment

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coloring backgrounds with chalk pastels

We often see amazing creations from those expert colorists in the coloring groups on Facebook and wonder how in the world they could make a simple coloring page look like a work of art. Backgrounds are the magic sauce. Below we gathered several background tutorials to try in your adult coloring books to really make them pop!

Background Coloring Tutorial Videos

Our wonderful Johanna Basford has given us a lovely video tutorial on a picture in her coloring book.

You know how fond I am of Peta Hewitt’s Tutorials and she hasn’t let us down on this topic. This first video she using the pastels first for the background before she colors in the picture.

Coloring Book Tutorial – Pastel Background Made Easy by Peta Hewitt

In this tutorial, Peta shows us how to preserve the pencil colors if you use a darker pastel next to it. It’s quite an extensive study on the topic.

Coloring Book Tutorial: Applying Pastel Over Pencils by Peta Hewitt

Cher Kauffman has done this extensive series about coloring in Backgrounds

Coloring Backgrounds First Steps

Coloring Backgrounds Pencil Basics

Pastels Coloring Background Tutorial

Coloring Backgrounds with Eyeshadow

Coloring Basic Backgrounds using Gel Pens

Coloring Backgrounds – Chalk Basics

Coloring Book Background Tutorial from Coloring Karia

Ultimate Adult Coloring Book Background option breakdown: Watercolor, Pastels, Inktense from Coloring Karia.

The key to beautiful backgrounds is to play and practice. We’d love to see your work in our Coloring Book Addicts Facebook Group here.

Visit the Background Coloring Supplies page here to see our favorite brands.

  • Colored Pencil Tutorials for Adult Coloring Books
  • Background Coloring Supplies
  • Coloring Book Video Reviews
  • Hand-Lettering – Best ‘How To’ Books and Lettering Supplies
  • Best Gel Pens for Adult Coloring Books

Filed Under: Art Supplies, Tutorials

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Rock Painting

October 7, 2020 By Addicted Colorist Leave a Comment

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rock painting for adults & kids

This extended amount of time indoors has brought out the creative soul and artist in lots of us. I’ve wandered outside of coloring to painting, and crocheting and collage decor, so many fun things to do while you are staying safe inside your home and in your yard which led our family to do some rock painting.

Stone Painting Time

A ton of people have turned to stone painting to beautiful their own yard and to leave words of hope and happiness scattered around for others. It’s also a fabulous family fun activity to share with your kids of all ages.

A Year of Stone Painting: 52 Mandala Designs to Inspire Your Spirit 

a year of stone painting

The Art of Stone Painting. F. Sehnaz Bac, an artist, and seasoned archaeologist presents step-by-step instructions for fifty-two projects creating mandala designs on rocks. Her easy-to-follow rock painting guide will show you how to transform ordinary stones into inspirational works of art.

Click to Order Amazon US, UK or Canada Worldwide at Book Depository

Rock Art Handbook

Techniques and Projects for Painting, Coloring, and Transforming Stones from Fox Chapel Publishing. This book contains 30 Step-by-Step Tutorials using Paints, Chalk, Art Pens, Glitter Glue, bobbles & bits.

rock art handbook

Click to Order Amazon US, UK or Canada or Worldwide at Book Depository

If you’ve never painted rocks before, you might enjoy this art book for beginners.

Rock Painting For Beginners

Step by step instructions using dot paintings, mandalas, decoupage and other fun ideas to try.

rock painting for beginners

Click to Order Amazon US, UK or Canada or Worldwide at Book Depository

Rock Painting for Kids

Kids learn step by step to make all sorts of creatures, and fun shapes out of rocks. Great gifts to drop off at the grandparents house too.

rock painting for kids book

Click to Order Amazon US, UK or Canada or Worldwide at Book Depository

Rock Painting Supplies

The best paint to use on rocks is one that will last with weather, you can also seal them if you already have lots of acrylic paint sitting around the house that you’d like to use up.

We love using paint pens best. You can get the most detail and more vibrant colors and of course lots of them have glitter so that’s always a plus. It looks so pretty when they shimmer in the sun in your yard.

Acrylic Paint Pens

acrylic paint pens

Click to Order Amazon or Michaels

Acrylic Paint Pens for Rock Painting

rock painting pens

Amazon or Michaels

Sharpies

Sharpies are of course the least expensive markers around and everyone probably has several already floating around their house. The different sized nibs make detail work easy too

  • 72 Count of Sharpies in Fine & Extra Fine Point
  • 80’s glam pack of Sharpies UK
  • 24 Electric Pop pack of Sharpies Canada

Don’t have any nice smooth flat rocks at your house? No problem, you can even buy those.

Flat Rocks to Paint

Click to Order on Amazon US, UK or Canada

Finally, you will need a sealer for your pretty painted rocks, this video shows a few techniques. You can choose matt or glossy finish, that part is up to you.

Gloss Sealer
Matt Sealer

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