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A coloring page can be filled in a few minutes, or it can become a small piece of art. The difference is mostly technique: how you layer, blend, shade and highlight. This guide covers the techniques worth learning, for pencils, markers and watercolor pencils, along with the supplies that make them easier. New to coloring? Start with our Beginner's Guide to Coloring.
What you'll need
Colored pencils give you the most control, which makes them a good first choice for detailed pages. Soft, wax-based pencils such as Prismacolor Premier layer and blend easily; a 72-color Castle Art set is a lower-cost way to get a wide range.
Markers give bold, even color. Alcohol markers blend more smoothly than water-based ones and don't pill the paper. Fineliners handle tiny spaces.
Watercolor pencils go on like pencils, then turn into paint with a damp brush. They're handy for backgrounds and skies. Try a watercolor pencil set.
Crayons are fine too, especially for bold and easy pages, and they bring back a bit of childhood fun.
Blending and finishing:
- Colorless blender pencil and blending stumps for pencils
- Colorless blender marker for alcohol markers (usually sold separately)
- White gel pen for highlights
- A sharpener to keep a fine point
Paper. If you print your pages, use heavier paper such as cardstock. It takes more layers and stops markers bleeding through. See our printing guide.
For a closer comparison of tools, see Explore Top Coloring Tools.
Core techniques
Layering. Build color in thin layers, from light to dark, instead of one heavy coat. Layering gives smoother, richer color and lets you mix colors on the page.
Pressure control. Light pressure gives soft tones; heavier pressure gives deep ones. Varying pressure lets one pencil produce a whole range of shades. Start light: heavy pressure early fills the paper's texture, and later layers won't grip as well.
Blending. Smooth the transitions between colors by overlapping them where they meet, then going over the join with a blender pencil, a stump or a lighter color.
Shading. Decide where the light comes from, then put darker tones on the sides facing away from it. Shade with a darker version of the base color, or its complement, rather than black, which can look flat and dirty.
The three-tone rule. For each area, use three tones of one color: light for highlights, medium for the main area, dark for shadows. It's a quick way to make shapes look rounded.
Highlights. Leave the brightest spots almost white, or add them at the end with a white pencil or white gel pen.
Swatching. Test colors and combinations on scrap paper before using them on the page.
Want to practice shading without guessing where shadows go? Grayscale coloring pages come pre-shaded, so you can see the light and shadow as you color.
Colored pencil techniques
- Hatching and cross-hatching: parallel lines, then a second set at an angle, to build tone and texture.
- Stippling: small dots for gradual shading, sand, stone or skin texture.
- Burnishing: a final layer with heavy pressure, using a light color or colorless blender, for a smooth, paint-like finish. Do it last; little will go on top afterwards.
- Edge shading: darken the edges of a shape and fade toward the middle to make it look curved.
Marker techniques
- Light to dark: lay down the lightest shade first, then add darker ones while the first is still slightly wet so they blend.
- Even coverage: work in small circles or keep a "wet edge" to avoid streaks.
- Blending: go over the join between two colors with a colorless blender marker to soften it.
- Protect the next page: put a sheet of scrap paper underneath, as alcohol markers soak through most paper.
Watercolor pencil techniques
- Dry then wet: color as normal, then go over it with a damp brush to dissolve it into a wash.
- Backgrounds: color a sky or a wall quickly with the side of the pencil, then wet it for an even wash.
- Detail on top: once the wash is dry, add details with regular colored pencils.
Use heavier paper, because thin paper buckles when wet.
Backgrounds and textures
Backgrounds. A simple background, such as a soft gradient or a light wash, makes the main subject stand out. Keep it lighter or cooler than the subject, so it doesn't compete.
Textures. Short strokes in the direction of growth suggest fur or grass; wavy lines suggest water; long, uneven strokes suggest wood grain.
Personal touches. Add your own patterns inside large plain areas, or extend the design into a blank border.
Finding your style
- Take inspiration from nature, photos, music or other artists' color choices.
- Try new palettes. Pick a color scheme you'd never usually choose. Our Color Palettes blog has ready-made ones.
- Mix mediums. Watercolor pencil background, colored pencil subject, gel pen highlights.
- Let go of mistakes. A stray mark can often become part of the design.
FAQs
What supplies should a beginner start with?
A good set of colored pencils is an easy place to start. They're forgiving, they work for detail, and they don't bleed through paper.
How can I improve my blending?
Use light layers, overlap colors where they meet, and try a blender pencil or stumps. Practice on scrap paper first.
Can I mix different mediums in one picture?
Yes. Use wet mediums (watercolor pencils, markers) first and dry ones (colored pencils, gel pens) on top.
Ready to try these techniques? Browse our adult coloring pages, or start with our free coloring pages.