Where do I begin?
We all know the joy of Colouring as a kid, but many of us believe we have outgrown them. Adult Colouring is a fun and creative way to relax and unwind. I’ve never found anything as satisfying as I’ve felt with my coloured pencils in hand and some fresh ink on the page. Now that you’re an adult, it’s time to enjoy those feelings again! There is just something about them that makes this tolerable and enjoyable. I can’t put my finger on it. But I can promise you that you will be filling pages with colourful characters and illustrations in no time.
What is Adult Colouring?
You may already know what adult colouring books are. Still, if not, let me explain: Adult colouring is the act of taking a simple piece of paper and using coloured pencils to fill it with beautiful illustrations. I will discuss coloured pencils, but crayons, paints, and gel pens can all be used in this post. The result is an entirely different piece of art that is uniquely your own and nothing like anything else that has ever been seen before. Adult Colouring has become a huge trend.
How do I know I am ready to colour?
Did you, as a kid, ever doodle on your white school notebook with pencils? Adult Colouring can be just like that – fun and playful! It also helps relieve stress. Now you have all the tools you need to get started. You have to pick a medium and a book and get started! This book focuses on coloured pencils because they are the most used by all age groups.
How much does a set of coloured pencils cost?
A nice set of 24 coloured pencils can be purchased for about $10 to $15. However, this is not recommended because the tips will become worn down very quickly, resulting in uneven Colouring and weak Colouring in certain areas.
What colour of the pencil should I get?
You will want to use the best-coloured pencils that you can find for the price. I recommend Prismacolor because of its fantastic quality and long-lasting colours. They are also affordable. You mustn’t use any coloured pencils that are more than six years old, as these older ones wear down quickly and will not yield great results.
What colour of paper should I use?
You will want to use light-coloured paper because it is more forgiving. It will not bleed your colours as much, so it’s better to use light colours than dark ones. With this craft, you can also create your coloured pencils mixed with felt tip pens if you wish to get even more advanced! Most use a white heavier stock paper.
How far apart should I space my colours?
Your space should be just slightly smaller than the width of the page that you are colouring on. You want your colours to travel across the page quickly, but you also want them to be spread out enough to give them depth.
How do I start Colouring?
You will want a light-coloured pencil and a fine-pointed one. Now hold the pencil very lightly and begin at one point, tracing over the shape of what you see. You will have a lot of control using this technique, so do not press too hard. Begin at one point and gradually build up your colour as you go across. At this point, you may add other colours that compliment the one that you just used. Do not forget to add shadow and depth to your picture! Be sure to add your darkest shade at the very end.
What is a colouring wheel?
To create depth and shadow in your work, you will want to use a wheel. A wheel is straightforward: it circles colours with light to dark and vibrant to dull values. You will want to pick a colour directly across from the one you used in your previous step. This is your shadow colour, and it will add depth and contrast to the picture.
How do I add shading?
Shading is another important colouring technique that will ensure depth and realism in your pictures. To avoid messy colours, layer your colours rather than smearing them together. Start at one point and use a lighter colour than before, perhaps 45 degrees away from the previous point. Once you get to the end, add another colour that is 45 degrees away from the last. Again, do not allow yourself to be sloppy and smear your colours together!
What is blending?
Blending is another important colouring technique that will ensure depth and realism in your pictures. It involves layering colours very lightly across one area of a page. Start at one point and slowly work your way along the entire line. Make sure that you are not touching all of the colours with just one of them. For example, if you start with red, purple and white, you can use the blue yet still go over the first colour. This will create the effect of a light-coloured pencil moving across the dark paper.
How do I draw with coloured pencils?
When drawing with pencils, you want to make sure that you apply pressure evenly across your paper. If you press too hard, it will make your pictures look unrealistic and weak. You can also use a brush to colour in larger areas or blend the colours you have already made. You will want to use a very sharp pencil with a fine tip for details on small items.
How do I erase a mistake?
To correct a colouring error, it is best to use a white coloured pencil and cover up the part of the picture that you wish to change. You can also use a coloured pencil in the same shade as the paper. This isn’t easy to do and is not recommended for beginners.
How can I make my pictures look like they were in a magazine?
Now that you have the basics down, you will want to add your final touches and make your pictures look like they belong in a magazine. You will want to use sharpened pencils because their tips are pointed and thin. Ensure that you are not pressing too hard, or your drawing will become over-saturated and messy. For detailed Colouring, use a brush with soft bristles.
How much pressure should I apply?
To make your pictures look like real life, it’s also crucial to correctly position your colours. For example, some people prefer to have their colours on top of each other; this is called “overlapping” This is a great technique to get a realistic look. But be careful when working at this because if you start with one colour, you will not be able to change it without disturbing the rest of the Colouring. Finding the right balance can be tricky, but it’s worth trying out!
Here’s a colouring page for you to experiment – request the PDF download.