Coloring Tips & Screen-Free Ideas

Alcohol and water-based markers compared with paper swatches

Alcohol Markers vs. Water-Based Markers for Col...

Compare blending, streaking, bleed-through, paper needs, and working time before choosing a marker for your coloring book.

Alcohol Markers vs. Water-Based Markers for Col...

Compare blending, streaking, bleed-through, paper needs, and working time before choosing a marker for your coloring book.

Damp brush activating watercolor pencil on a floral coloring page

How to Use Watercolor Pencils in Coloring Books

Use watercolor pencils safely on coloring-book paper with light applications, a barely damp brush, and careful testing.

How to Use Watercolor Pencils in Coloring Books

Use watercolor pencils safely on coloring-book paper with light applications, a barely damp brush, and careful testing.

Adult coloring a bold floral page with layered artist crayons

Can Adults Use Crayons in Coloring Books? Absol...

Get richer adult-coloring results from crayons with layering, point control, resist techniques, and realistic expectations.

Can Adults Use Crayons in Coloring Books? Absol...

Get richer adult-coloring results from crayons with layering, point control, resist techniques, and realistic expectations.

Silver and gold objects colored with sharp highlights and dark reflections

How to Color Shiny Metal With Colored Pencils

Make gold, silver, chrome, and brass read as metal by using sharp value jumps, reflected colors, and clean highlights.

How to Color Shiny Metal With Colored Pencils

Make gold, silver, chrome, and brass read as metal by using sharp value jumps, reflected colors, and clean highlights.

Glass and water droplets rendered with blue gray and white pencils

How to Color Glass and Water in Coloring Books

Create transparent glass and reflective water by coloring reflections and edges while preserving the paper beneath.

How to Color Glass and Water in Coloring Books

Create transparent glass and reflective water by coloring reflections and edges while preserving the paper beneath.

Green leaf shaded from light to dark with colored pencils

How to Shade With Colored Pencils on a Coloring...

Turn flat color into form with a clear light source, three useful values, gentle layering, and shadows that follow the shape.

How to Shade With Colored Pencils on a Coloring...

Turn flat color into form with a clear light source, three useful values, gentle layering, and shadows that follow the shape.