Coloring Tips
Number One Coloring Rule - Relax and Enjoy
Coloring is good for stress relief, anxiety, depression, and so much more. There is no wrong way to color. You can do it while you watch television, listen to music, drink tea, drink wine, or just focus on your coloring project. Do not compare your work to anyone else's. The more you do it the more you will improve and like some of the most famous artist's you will not love every single image you create. That is completely okay! If you are relaxed and enjoying the creative process that is all that matters.
Basic Tips - Colored Pencils
SHARPENING YOUR COLORED PENCILS
Dull pencils are a chore to work with, so before you begin coloring, make sure you that your pencils are nice and sharp! Blunt pencil points prevent you from laying pigments properly on the page--- the colors just don’t come out right. They are also not good for doing small details. Sharp pencils, on the other hand, produce better pigments and bolder colors because they can penetrate between the tiny grooves found on the paper’s surface.
REDUCING FINGER FATIGUE AND CREATING TEXTURES
Colored pencils are quite thin, so people tend to put unnecessary pressure on their wrists and fingers to gain more control and dexterity. This leads to pain and discomfort.
Gripping the pencils farther from its base allows for wider coverage, lighter strokes, and a more relaxed hold. This should be the general position of your hand when coloring. You want to start lightly first, and then slowly build the colors.
Gripping the pencil closer to the base is great if you want bolder strokes and more control. However, you should only use this method when you are working with details and intricate designs.
GO IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS
Coloring in one direction is a faster way to do things, sure, but this method leads to streaky lines and uneven distribution of pigment. Your strokes will ultimately appear broken and awkward when they meet in different areas, so mix things up and color in different directions instead.
The most common way to do this is to create circular strokes, especially when you’re still laying down your base color. This technique helps you distribute the color more evenly.
Other techniques, like coloring in the opposite direction of your initial strokes and crosshatching, also allows the pigment to penetrate between the paper’s tiny grooves and dips (also called the tooth of the paper) better.
PRESSURE SHADING
Pressure shading is one of the easiest ways to add depth and dimension to your works. It is so easy that even beginners can master it in no time!
Pressure shading is when you produce different shades by changing the amount of pressure you apply on the pencil. Light pressure will produce light shades while heavy pressure will give you darker shades. Practice swatching a light-to-dark gradient and vice versa and then when you are ready, apply it to your artwork.
The amount of pressure you put will also depend on the sharpness of your pencil. If your pencil is sharp, you do not need to put as much pressure as you would on a dull pencil. Make sure to always keep your pencils on point to save your hands from fatigue.
Lighting
Do not forget your lighting when pressure shading! The areas that get hit by the light source are brighter; areas away from the light source should be darker. Light studies are a bit tricky at first, but just keep at it. You will see that your artworks will take on more depth and dimension once you have mastered this skill.
Mandala Coloring Tips
Mandalas are intricate geometric shapes that originated as a Hindu ritual symbol. While they still have a significant connection to religion and spirituality, mandalas now also influence art and are one of the most popular designs for coloring books today.
Many coloring books feature mandalas because of their relaxing nature. Plus, they’re relatively easy to color and the symmetry of the design make for a very satisfying end result. To ensure that your mandala is as stress-free to color in as it should be, follow these tips: