Adult coloring books have been a trend. If you are not so into it because you think you would somehow look childish when you try it, well, let us tell you that coloring has gone mainstream that seeing an adult doing it does not instantly make them look like a child. This activity is a great escape from the busy adult world. Most people who have tried it experienced a relaxing effect not only in their minds but also their physical body. This activity also develops creativity. In fact, experts say that coloring has a brain-quieting and stress-reducing effect on adult professionals. Gloria Martinez, a psychologist, shares with The Huffington Post that coloring brings out our imagination and takes us back to our childhood; a period in which we most certainly had a lot less stress. This has been the main reason why more adults are buying coloring books. If you want to feel relaxed or just like to experience a great stress-buster and tension reliever, coloring should be included on your list of things to do.
If you are afraid to try it because you know to yourself that you are not artistic, let us tell you that coloring books are made for everyone. Whether you are artistic or not, coloring books are designed to make it easier for anybody to express emotions and moods. You can find pre-made details and patterns inside a coloring book. Choosing the coloring material to use or the mood you want to portray will be easy. Check out some of our tips below before you get started. You can even meet the woman behind this surprising new way to relax.
Choosing the Coloring Material
As we mentioned, adult coloring books contain pre-made patterns and details. More often than not, these details and patterns are very intricate. Because coloring books may contain tiny details, it is more advisable to use a coloring material that has a smaller point. This only means that your favorite childhood coloring tool which are crayons, cannot be used. Crayons have too fat points to use in coloring tiny details. Apart from that, you may hate the smell of wax. The best coloring materials for adult coloring books are color pencils and markers. You can either get a set of color pencils if or a set of markers. Of course, you can also combine the two if you want to achieve more advanced designs.
Color Pencil
When it comes to the best color pencil to use in coloring, our top pick are Prismacolor pencils. This type of coloring material is not the most affordable option but it is definitely one of the best. In fact, it is the best-selling color pencil on Amazon. They are easy to layer when you want a varying depth of color on your design. They also shade the paper pretty smoothly. The best characteristic of this color pencil is that it can go over markers really well. Markers can also go over on top of Prismacolor pencil without any issues. Prismacolor pencils will definitely shine when it comes to color and quality.
Marker
Markers feature a fine point which makes them perfect for adult coloring books. When it comes to markers, our top pick is the Pentel Arts Color Pen. This color pen is also a best-seller. It has an attractive packaging with a snap on one side. If you want to achieve a rich and more vibrant color in you coloring, then, you should opt for markers. Markers are perfect in highlighting small details. However, if you do not want all parts of your coloring book to feature colors that are too rich, you can combine it with color pencils.
Quick Overview Best Coloring Books for Adult
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Adult Coloring Books Reviewed
1. Secret Garden Adult Coloring Books
Secret Garden by Johanna Basford is our first choice since it is the number one best-selling adult coloring book. This is a phenomenal book which has sold over two million copies all over the world. This is the book that introduces the trend for adult coloring. What makes it very appealing is its black and white drawings which are an awesome work of art. Regardless if it’s a huge artwork or a label for Brewdog (her husband’s brewery) it gives you the opportunity to make your own version by coloring it.
Aside from being a coloring book, it is also an inky treasure hunt, as what it says on the cover. In every illustration, you will discover hidden treasures. At the beginning, you will be introduced to a list of things that you can discover along with a key as well as an index which can be found at the back. This book has 96 pages of black and white illustrations which are all bare giving you the chance to create your own imagination.
To know more about the book’s pros and cons please watch this video:
2. Enchanted Forest Coloring Book
Enchanted Forest is our second pick because it is more than just a simple coloring book. As you take your journey through the forest, you will be surprised to discover the wonderful things that are found in the castle. You might be wondering why Johanna Basford’s books are so popular. Well, it’s because all the illustrations are so beautiful and are neatly drawn. There are literally no scenes, but rather fantasy illustrations which look so gorgeous.
As you begin your journey, you will discover hidden objects such as birds, animals, wildflowers, gems, keys, treasure chests and many more. Your journey will start as you enter the forest then you will be taken to the woodland, caves, mazes, streams, waterfalls, tree tops then ultimately, you will reach the castle. You must be able to find the nine symbols in order to unlock the door of the castle and be the first to find what lies within.
Here is a quick review of the book:
3. Splendid Cities Color Your Way To Calm
We choose Splendid Cities as our third choice because it offers a variety of amazing cities which are real and imagined ones. It seems like you are traveling all around the world while you are coloring. In this book, Rosie Goodwin and Alice Chadwick do not only create well-known cities such as San Francisco but also cities from their own imagination. There is even a futuristic city as well as a magical tree house. Some cities have bold and simple designs while others have complicated ones. Artists will not get bored since it has sufficient white spaces where they can make complicated illustrations.
4. Adult Coloring Book Stress Relieving Patterns
This book definitely lives up to its name. It is one of the best adult coloring books because it is very calm to use and at the same time fun too.
5. Animal Kingdom Coloring Book
This coloring book is filled with beautiful and intricate art that makes you hesitant to color it. However, these images can look more stunning with your colors.
6. Balance By: Angie Grace
This best-selling book can let you relax while exploring these circular and whimsical patterns. It promotes stress alleviation by means of creative expression.
7. Color Me Calm Best Adult Coloring Books
After having a busy day, you can sit back and relax and grab your coloring materials. This book consists of 100 calming images that can remove your stress.
8. Creative Cats Coloring Book
Are you a cat lover? If so then this book is perfect for you to color. It has paisleys, hearts, flowers and much more.
9. Disney Princess Art Therapy
With this book, you can feel like a kid again. Although, these illustrations are a bit more complicated than the ones you had when you were still a child.
10. Doodle Invasion Zifflin Coloring Book
This book has 50 original illustrations from the expert of doodles Kerby Rosanes.
11. Dream Catcher A Soul Birds Journey
Take a wonderful journey through these stunning drawings which are specially designed to help you listen to the voices within you.
12. Fanciful Faces Coloring Book
The face is the most amazing part of our body. You can show your creativity by bringing life to the faces found in this book.
13. Fantastic Cities A Coloring Book
These aerial views of imagined and real cities are so fantastic. It’s very intricate!
14. Flower Designs Coloring Book
There are lots of daisies for you to color. Enjoy!
15. Good Vibes Adult Coloring Books
Do you want a mood booster? Well, you’re fortunate since Good Vibes can make you feel groovy instantly.
16. Harry Potter Coloring Book
If you can’t get enough of Harry Potter then this coloring book is something that you should not miss.
17. Lost Ocean An Inky Adventure And Coloring Book
This time best-selling author Johanna Basford will let you explore the beautiful underwater adventures. Discover what’s hidden in the depths of the sea.
18. Outside The Lines
This is a perfect choice for people with wild imagination. Let your imagination run free with this fabulous coloring book.
19. Owls Coloring Book
This book is specially created by expert artists. It consists of flowers, owls, paisleys and other designs which are drawn in intricate backgrounds.
20. Posh Coloring Book Japanese Designs
All the Japanese designs found in this book are very neat. They are truly Instagram-worthy!
21. The Mandala Coloring Book
This book features 100 mandala drawings which can be customized. It allows you to use your imagination while coloring these vibrant designs.
22. The Mindfulness Colouring Book
This is a pocket-sized book that is best for relieving stress and anxiety. Since it is in compact size then you can bring it with you wherever you want to relax.
23. The Pixel Coloring Book
In this book, the drawings are being simplified to pixels. You are also given the chance to draw the image before you start coloring.
24. The World Of Moose Fill Me In
In this book, you are allowed to let your imagination come alive. As a reader, you will be taken to an amazing journey in the fantasy world.
25. Tropical Wonderland
In this book, you will be drawing fine lines, creating patterns aside from adding brilliant colors to the illustrations. This is a great way of firing up your imagination while relieving your stress.
Express Mood Through Colors
Lacy Mucklow, a licensed clinical professional art therapist and the author of Color Me Happy and Color Me Calm, said that colors themselves carry therapeutic qualities. Seeing and using a specific color can create different effects to anybody’s mood. When you are coloring, you can use specific colors to express what you feel or change what you feel. Let’s check how colors can affect you.
The calming colors you can use when are stressed out and you want to calm down are purple, green, and blue. Looking at them would literally help you chill out a little bit. However, if you want to express and burst your anger through coloring, you can also use colors like yellow, orange, red, and pepper-uppers. Once you have released your anger through these colors, you would surely have a better, lighter, and brighter day. If you are a little dizzy, tired, and unenergized, you can use other bright colors in coloring to feel more lifted and energized. On the other hand, if you use dark colors in coloring, it can help you relax your mind. Dark colors are perfect for people who always use an active mind at work. You may also go for pastel colors for a soul-soothing experience.
Coloring Tips
- Practice coloring more frequently. The more you try doing it, the better you will be able to do your designs and the happier you will be.
- Start coloring from the outside part of a pattern slowly going in.
- When coloring, do not stress the paper and yourself by pressing too hard. It is better to build up the color with layers than achieving a bright color by pressing hard. This would ruin your coloring tools as well as your coloring book.
- If you are using a color pencil, always keep them sharp.
- If you are using a marker, ensure to cover the tip with its cap after use, This will prevent the ink from drying out.
Adult coloring books have become more popular in recent years. Who said that coloring can only be for kids? You might have some awesome memories from your childhood where you enjoyed coloring but have you tried doing this relaxing activity now that you are an adult? Chances are you haven’t. Let us ask you one thing. When was the last time your eyes and mind stayed focused so intently on something that wasn’t a screen; Not a computer screen, a T.V screen, a tablet screen, nor a smartphone screen? Well, if your answer travels way back to your childhood, then you should definitely start coloring. It’s time for adults to get those crayons out.
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