Adult Coloring Tutorials: Best Techniques For Beginners

Ready to level up your coloring skills? These adult coloring tutorials will take you from beginner colorist to proud artist.

Learn skills like shading, highlighting, blending, and choosing the right colored pencils, markers, or gel pens for the job.

Getting Started with Adult Coloring

Whether you're new to coloring or just need a little something to improve the quality of your pages, these tutorials offer tons of tips and tricks that make a huge difference in the "professionalism" of your artwork.

Don't worry if you're not an "adult" though. Many of these coloring tutorials are great for older kids and teenagers too!

Essential Adult Coloring Supplies

While quality does differ between supplies, you don't have to have the best colored pencils or markers to create coloring pages you're proud of.

Whether you've got Prismacolors or Crayolas, you can nurture your creativity and enjoy improving your coloring skills.

Here are my favorite coloring supplies for adults.

Budget:

I suggest starting with the supplies you have on hand (yes, even your kids' crayons!) If you're just getting into the hobby, I recommend investing in a set of colored pencils and a set of markers. 

• Crayola Twistables Colored Pencils – for basic, all-around coloring with no sharpening needed
• Soucolor Colored Pencils - Nice soft lead and affordable enough that I feel safe sharing these with my kids
• Wellokb Alcohol Markers - 80 markers that provide a good range of colors. Brush and fine tip.
• Ohuhu Alcohol Markers - Quality brush tips. I wish there were more mid-tone colors.
• Soucolor Glitter Gel Pens - For small areas, adding highlight and shimmer.

Splurge:

Once you're gung-ho about coloring, here are some of my favorite high-end supplies.

• Copic Markers – Great for layering. Available in smaller packs so you can purchase the colors you need, such as skin tones.
• Prismacolor Premier Pencils – For basic coloring and detail work where I need a sharp tip.
• Sakura Gelly Roll – For small areas, adding highlight and shimmer.
• Koh-I-Noor Tri-Tones – For advanced colored pencil techniques.

Related: Why does coloring feel so good? Learn about the benefits of coloring for adults

Selecting Your Coloring Books and Pages

Finally, finding the right printable coloring pages or coloring book is key:

• Look for designs that inspire you—whether they're intricate mandalas or serene landscapes. It goes without saying, but you're more likely to enjoy the process and the final outcome if you're coloring a design you enjoy. (Don't be afraid to check out coloring pages for kids too–the printer doesn't know your age!)
  
• Consider the paper quality. Books with thicker pages are better if you're using markers or gel pens to prevent bleeding.

Understanding Color Theory

Don't worry if you can't remember all the color lingo from high school art class! A basic grasp of color theory can greatly enhance your coloring experience.

Check out this guide on how color theory applies to adult coloring to gain a deeper understanding of choosing the right shades for your projects.

Basic Coloring Techniques for Beginner Colorists

Mastering a few basic coloring techniques can really level up the quality of your artwork. This section will introduce you to four adult coloring techniques to practice first.

Pencil Grip and Control

Your pencil grip has a significant impact on your coloring outcome. Hold the pencil nearer to the tip for finer lines and greater precision. For broader strokes, I like to hold it further up the shaft. Practice consistent pressure to avoid unwanted lines and hashmarks.

This beginner coloring tutorial shares tips for getting started with colored pencils.

Shading Basics With Colored Pencils

Shading is about adding depth and dimension to your work. Both oil and wax based pencils worked very well for providing good pigment. 

This quick tutorial talks about how to create shading with colored pencils.

Where's The Light Coming From?

When learning how to shade, my biggest recommendation is to consider where you want the light source in your coloring page to be. This helps ensure that the shadows in your coloring are consistent.

Practice by noticing highlights and shadows in everyday life and how the placement of light source impact them. 

Just understanding this single concept will definitely level up your adult coloring skills!

Layering for Depth

Since colored pencils are generally made of wax, you need to press pretty hard to cover the white of the paper. Start with lighter strokes and gradually build up to darker shades to create a smooth transition. Just like with painting, you want to layer your mid-tones in first and then add deeper colors to create shadows. 

Here's a good step-by-step tutorial that shows how to use colored pencils to create sophisticated works of art.

Blending Colors

To blend colors most smoothly, you want to choose pencils that are similar in shade and work them together until they create a seamless transition. Circular or back-and-forth strokes can help meld the colors. For more advanced techniques, you can even try using blending stumps or solvents.

This adult coloring tutorial shows several techniques for blending. Check it out to learn basic colored pencil techniques.

Then watch this quick tutorial about overlapping your colors for the best blending results.

Advanced Coloring Methods

Alright, are you ready to really level up? These advanced methods will add depth and intricate detail to your artwork.

Creating Textures

To create texture in your coloring, pay close attention to the pressure and movement of your hand. Varying pressure can lead to visual effects like the appearance of fur or wood grain. Experiment with different strokes like cross-hatching or stippling. 

Experimenting With Paper Tooth

The "tooth" (aka the surface or texture) of your paper can make a big difference in how your coloring looks.

Obviously, when using a pre-printed adult coloring book, you don't get to choose the tooth of the paper. But when you're printing coloring pages at home, it can be worth it to think about the texture of your paper and the right paper for your favorite coloring supplies. 

Here's a brief tutorial that explains why paper tooth is important in coloring.   

Working with Gradients

Gradients bring your coloring to life by smoothly transitioning from one color to another. You know those adult coloring pages that look almost photo-realistic? That's thanks to perfectly executed gradients! 

I really like this colored pencil tutorial for learning advanced blending techniques and understanding how light affects color.

Exploring Different Coloring Mediums

In the realm of adult coloring, a diverse range of mediums can transform your creative experience. Each medium offers unique qualities that cater to different styles and techniques.

This guide nicely separates supply recommendations for the beginner colorist and the most advanced artist. 

Markers and Their Uses

Markers are my favorite for their vibrant colors and ease of use. They are perfect for bold, precise lines and filling large areas with color. (When you've been coloring with pencils for a while, markers feel so fast!) 

For best results, choose markers that are specifically made for coloring, as these will have inks that lay down smoothly and blend well. Remember that markers can bleed through paper, so I recommend placing a spare sheet underneath to protect the next page when working in a coloring book. 

Thaneeya offers some fantastic tips for learning how to blend alcohol markers in this coloring tutorial. (She even has an entire course on the topic if you want to dive really deep!)

Watercolor Pencils

Watercolor pencils offer a unique two-in-one experience. You can use them dry for traditional colored pencil techniques or add water to create the look of watercolor painting. (These were my absolute favorite art supply as a kid!)

It’s important to use watercolor pencils on thicker paper that can handle moisture without warping. Use a light touch to layer colors and a clean brush to blend them seamlessly. 

Check out the nuances of watercolor pencils in an Ultimate Guide to Coloring.

Using Gel Pens

You'll love gel pens for their smooth ink flow and variety of effects, such as metallic, glitter, and neon. While can color with them on their own, gel pens are also ideal for adding embellishments and intricate details to your artwork. Gel ink can take longer to dry, so be careful not to smudge your work. 

Pro Tip: If your gel pens seem clogged, fight the instinct to press harder on the page. This blocks the ink flowing. Instead, get the ink flowing on a seperate page, and then use the gel pen with a really light touch.

This coloring tutorial is both relaxing to watch and will help you learn how to use gel pens for adult coloring.

Finishing Touches

When completing your coloring page, adding finishing touches can really elevate your artwork. Don't sleep on these final adult coloring tricks!

Applying Finishing Highlights

To bring your colored page to life, focus on highlights. Use white pencils or paint pens to add reflective spots that mimic light on various surfaces. For instance, if you're coloring a leaf, you may add highlights along the edge or on the veins to create a more three-dimensional look. 

This tutorial will teach you how to add highlights to your coloring pages.

Protecting Your Artwork

When you're really proud of a finished coloring page, consider taking a few steps to preserve it. 

You can use a fixative spray to seal your page, which prevents smudging and fading over time. Choose between a matte or glossy finish based on your personal preference. One I like is Krylon Workable Fixatif. [LINK]

I recommend testing on a page first before using it on your finished artwork.  That way you can get a feel for how lightly to spray and how the paper and your mediums react.

This video tutorial shows you how to apply a fixative properly. 

What Next?

I hope this collection of my favorite adult coloring tutorials has been helpful to you. Consider pinning this guide to your coloring Pinterest board to refer to later. I hope you'll print plenty of our free coloring pages while you're here too!

What Will You Color Next?

If you enjoyed these learning these adult coloring techniques, I think you'll love these free coloring pages too. Print your own personal coloring book from your favorites!

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More Free Printables to Color

We've got loads of free printable PDF coloring pages for both adults and kids to help your family relax, work on fine motor skills, practice color recognition, or enjoy time together.

Download a few (or a hundred!) today.