Last Updated on Monday, May 5, 2025 by Lavania Oluban

Colouring might seem like something you grow out of, but I’m fully grown and fully obsessed.

It all started on a flight to Edinburgh. I’d picked up a cheap colouring book for Arlo to keep him busy, but I ended up hogging it. For twenty minutes, I wasn’t glued to my phone or mentally juggling my to-do list. I was just focusing on filling a page with colour. It was such a peaceful moment, and something about it just clicked.

Fast forward a few weeks and I’ve got four different types of pens, a growing stash of books, and I’ve even started designing my own. So if you’re curious about trying adult colouring, here’s everything I wish I’d known at the start.

What are the benefits of adult colouring?

Colouring is a great way to switch off. It gives your brain a break from screens and constant stimulation. You can’t really scroll your phone and colour at the same time, it demands your focus in a gentle, satisfying way.

I’ve found it especially helpful before bed. Instead of mindlessly scrolling, I’ll sit down with a page and some pens, and I always sleep better when I do. It can also be a great way to process your thoughts. When you’re in that creative flow, you start coming up with creative solutions too.

Finishing a page, even a simple one, gives you a little sense of achievement and you walk away with a lighter mood.

What are the best colouring tools for beginners?

There are loads of options and price points. You absolutely don’t need to buy everything all at once. Here’s what I’ve learned so far through reading reviews and checking out lots of different tutorials and networking groups.

• Pencils: There are premium brands that blend like butter, but cheap ones can be scratchy and low in pigment.
• Water-based felt tips: Budget-friendly but often give a streaky finish and can damage paper if they’re too wet.
• Alcohol-based markers: A dream to blend with smooth, bold colour, but they do bleed through paper.
• Brush tips: My favourite for blending.
• Fine tips: Great for smaller details.
• Acrylic paint pens: White ones are brilliant for adding highlights once you get a bit more confident.

My top tip? Start with what you’ve got at home. I raided Arlo’s stash and picked up a cheap pack from The Works. Later I found a brilliant 48-marker brush tip set of alcohol based markers at Smyths for less than £15, which was the perfect upgrade without breaking the bank.

How do I prevent marker bleed-through in colouring books?

This depends on what materials you’re using. Alcohol markers especially will almost always bleed through the page. So here’s what I do:

Look for single-sided colouring books so you’re not forced to choose which side to ruin. Place a sheet of paper or card between pages to catch any bleed-through. Photocopy your favourite designs if you’re using a double-sided book. Leave your work open to fully dry before closing the book or turning the page.

What techniques can enhance my colouring skills?

You’ve got to play around with different techniques, don’t worry about getting it perfect. Colour theory really helps, so try making little swatches on scrap paper to see what works well together. If you start to take this seriously then making a swatch sheet for all of your pens and organising them in order will help.

Some techniques I’ve picked up:

Shading to create dimension

Blending colours together with brush pens – the colourless marker was designed for this purpose.

Layering light over dark or vice versa

Using white paint pens for highlights

Adding sparkles or metallics or layering colours for a glitter effect

One thing currently trending is an outline 3D sticker effect I’ve been seeing everywhere so that’s the next on my list to try out, with a sticker colouring effect tutorial but it’s also made me feel like I want to create stickers to match my own book using my Cricut!

Start small. Don’t try to master it all in one go. Focus on one section and have fun with it. This is colouring, not decorating the Sistine Chapel.

Are there specific colouring books suited for beginners?

I recommend starting with:

Simple designs in books, ones with thicker lines and those which have single-sided pages. You can pick these up in lots of different places, most high street bargain stores, children’s toy shops and supermarkets will have examples.

Honestly, I borrowed Arlo’s books at first and they were ideal. But there are thousands of adult colouring books out there now in every theme imaginable. I couldn’t quite find what I wanted so I started designing my own.

What’s your advice for someone just starting out?

Just give it a go. You don’t need to invest a lot. Try a kids’ book and some basic pens or pencils you already have. If you find it relaxing and want more, treat yourself to a book or a new set of pens next time you fancy a little pick-me-up.

Instead of buying a coffee or something you don’t really need, you could add to your colouring stash. Build it up slowly. It’s a hobby that grows with you. I’ve chosen to buy books which fit in my handbag so that I can take them with me anywhere.

Whether you’re new to it or you’ve already fallen down the rabbit hole, I’d love to hear what supplies or books you’re loving right now. Drop me a message or tag me in your latest masterpiece, I’ll take any excuse to go pen shopping (for research, of course).

Images in this blog post are from my own book – Your Energy is Art. Available on Amazon now.