Adult Coloring Books: A Five Step Guide

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From SNL shout-outs to articles in high brow publications like The Atlantic, adult coloring books are everywhere! So, when I saw the giant display of them at Michael’s I decided to give one a try. However, there is much more to this art form (if you can call it that) than meets the eye. Here’s my five-step guide to coloring for adults:

1. Selecting Your Book:

Though a relatively new phenomenon in publishing, there are hundreds of adult coloring books to choose from and the options can be overwhelming. Into politics? Try the Hillary Clinton book. Want something edgy and NSFW? Maybe this one is more your speed…but don’t say I didn’t warn you! More than likely though, you’ll want to start basic with geometric shapes, animals, or both. I went with the New York Times Bestseller Enchanted Forest simply because I kept seeing it around and liked the images inside. My sister-in-law got its sibling Lost Ocean because she’s into marine life. Follow your bliss!

Enchanted Forest coloring book

 

2. Start Small

While I appreciate art immensely, drawing has never been a strength. I grew up playing the violin and always enjoyed writing, but never felt confident creating visual images. So when I actually sat down and opened the book to the first page, it was overwhelming. Where do I start? How do I pick which colors to use? What if I draw outside the lines??  So I took a deep breath and a page out of the Bob Ross school of art: I began by making happy little trees.

Enchanted Forest Adult Coloring Book

 

3. Pick The Right Coloring Environment

After doing these first few trees, I felt like “ok girl, you can do this.” It also helped that my son was napping, so I could get comfortable on the couch and focus on my book without distraction. There is definitely something therapeutic about the rhythmic feel of pencil on paper. In addition to the typical stresses of parenthood, I had been feeling anxious about the impending birth of our second child and how I’d manage the reality of caring for two. Pretty soon those worries faded and a relaxed peace washed over me as I got into a coloring groove. Before I knew it I had done all the trees on the page.

Enchanted Forest Adult Coloring Book

 

4. Have The Right Tools

I quickly realized that the basic 12 color pencil set I had (actually “borrowed” from my son’s art box) didn’t provide enough variety. I needed pastels and maybe a few shimmery options! Don’t limit your imagination or set yourself up for failure by not having the proper tools.

My New Colored Pencil Set
My New 72 Piece Set

 

5. Enjoy The Process

As I filled in the other shapes on the page, it hit me that this was the most artistic control I’d felt in a long time. As a volunteer at my son’s Co-op preschool, we’re trained not to influence their creative process (e.g. don’t tell them which colors or materials to use) so I observe  – never participate in – his art projects. Even at home, I have little aesthetic power over things I used to, like the interior of our house (it’s pretty much always overrun with toys) or my wardrobe (nowadays it’s mainly clothes I don’t care about getting stained). This may sound sad, but independently deciding which color to assign each shape was empowering in a small, satisfying way. And when I didn’t like the way some shading came out, it was enlightening to realize “oh well, it’s only a mushroom” and move on.

Finished Product - Makes Me Smile!
Finished Product – Makes Me Smile!

It’s also nice to show my son how making art can require hard work. He observed how long it took me to complete this page, how focused I was and, best of all, that I was actively creating something for entertainment rather than staring at my phone. Another great benefit to adult coloring books is the feeling of accomplishment you get after completing a page. Though I didn’t draw the lines and can’t claim it as my own original art, I controlled the colors and the finished product gives me a thrill to look at. Plus, if for some reason I end up not liking the color choices that I made, I can just turn the page and start afresh tomorrow!

Two Page Finished Coloring
Ta-da!

 

adult coloring books a 5 step guide

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Hilary Feldstein Ratner
Follow me on Instagram @EcoFriendlyMama, Twitter @EcoFriendlyMa, and Pinterest @EcoFriendlyMama! Though I was born and raised in New York City, I've lived in SoCal for over ten years now and am proud to call this beautiful and diverse place my home. My husband and I have a son and baby daughter (whom I was 9 months pregnant with when this photo was taken!). Prior to becoming a mommy I spent several years in feature film publicity and acquisitions for Miramax and later as the Creative Executive for Hilary Swank Productions before seguing to the music industry where I did Online Communications for the GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares. In my ample pre-parenthood free time, I also freelanced as a script analyst and screenwriter. I am fortunate now to be able to devote all my time to my family, but I still love to write so am thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of this blog! I am a foodie, avid traveler, environmentalist, preschool board member, and unabashed Disney nut. I can also be found writing about green parenting and eco-conscious living on my personal website, https://ecofriendlymama.com.