Give pencil colouring a go • You only need a handful of colours!

Give pencil colouring a go

All you need is a handful of colours!

Have you just been gifted an adult colouring book? Or have you been waiting for the right moment to crack open that packet of finely sharpened pencils? If you’ve been thinking about giving colouring a go, don’t delay! Here are our top tips and techniques for getting started with colouring pencils.

Why use pencils for colouring?

Many colouring books are printed on paper thick enough to hold the heavy ink of textas. Yet there is something special about using coloured pencils to complete your colouring. Pencils allow you to experiment with a greater range of techniques than textas do, like shading, layering and blending. Choose pencils if you want to improve your technique and practice achieving an extremely detailed and lifelike look on your pages.

Grab some pencils

There are so many different types of pencils available on the market, that it can be difficult to know which ones you will get the best use out of. With regard to material, most pencils on the market today are either wax or oil based. Wax pencils give a soft, almost creamy finish, while oil pencils have a firmer point and enable you to get a sharper and more distinctive tonal range.

If you want more information on getting started, read our blog, Colouring pencils for adult colouring books • Starting with the basics.

Decide how many pencils you might need

Sets of coloured pencils come in range of numbers, both small quantities (usually starting with twelve basic colours) all the way through to sets which contain a hundred or more delicious, unique shades. But the good news is, you don’t need to go over the top to begin with. You’ll be able to achieve something very attractive even with twelve, 24 or 36 colours (see our range of pencils here).

And remember, colouring for older adults isn’t just about the finished art, it’s also about de-stressing and enjoying the mindfullness of colouring.

Pick up a few other tools

Colouring book – check! Pencils – check! Once you have these two items, you are pretty much set to go. However, a couple of other very small and very affordable items will help you along you colouring journey. As you take pleasure in using up your coloured pencils, they are going to need to be sharpened to keep them ready for use. A quality sharpener, with a tub for catching shavings will see you through hundreds of colouring sessions. You might also want a quality artist’s eraser, for clearing up any accidents, and a short ruler that will help you achieve total colouring tidiness on straight lines and borders.

And if you have hand health issues like Arthritis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Tremors, or a lack of hand strength – there are ergonomic writing aids such as pencils grips that allow you to keep a steady hand and keep colouring.

Find a subject that you love

Starting with a picture that you like is essential. There are literally hundreds of different colouring books available for adult colouring enthusiasts. If you have a particular interest or hobby, you are sure to be able to find a colouring book to suit your style. From mandala’s to animal patterns, from modern cityscapes to underwater seascapes, from sporting lines to gardening landscapes, there will be something out there that you will find simply fascinating. Check out our Birds, Sea Life and Animal Portraits stress relief colouring book for some delightful examples.

Example designs from our colouring book.

For more examples of the different colouring book designs and themes, our article 5 reasons how adult colouring books can brighten up your health includes a lot more images.

What are you waiting for? Just get on with it 😃

If you’ve been putting off making a start because you are worried you won’t do well, or if you don’t have any confidence in your artistic ability – the most important thing to do is just have a go! With colouring as your own private hobby, there are no teachers, no criticisms and no opinions. Once you connect your pencil to paper, you will find you have been whisked away to another world.

It doesn’t matter if your first attempt is a bust, having the confidence to give it a go is all you need. Regardless of the outcome, there are plenty more pages in that colouring book.

Whatever type of medium you go with, happy colouring!

While you’re here…

Learn more about the benefits of adult colouring books, as well as articles on tips to get started, types of pencils and medium, why colouring books have become so popular with the over 60s and more.

• 5 reasons how adult colouring books can brighten up your health
• Colouring pencils for adult colouring books – Starting with the basics
• 5 Tips & Tricks to Get Creative with Adult Colouring Books
• Give pencil colouring a go • You only need a handful of colours!
• 14 fun ideas to repurpose your favourite colouring pages

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