7 Tips for Beginners on How to Get Started with Adult Coloring Sheets

Coloring has become a favorite creative activity among people of all ages and professions. What started as a kids’ pastime has become a therapeutic art that helps many people relax, unwind, and connect with their emotions. Repetitive coloring and its required high-level focus are also linked to improved mental health and motor skills.

So, are you looking to improve your mental focus or express your artistic side with adult coloring? Whether you want to use them for their therapeutic benefits or as a hobby, adult coloring sheets can give you a fun way to spend your time as you engage with their intricate designs. For beginners, here are the expert tips for adult coloring sheets.

What are Adult Coloring Sheets?

Adult coloring sheets are unique coloring pages with intricate and complex patterns and detailed images, such as mandalas, floral designs, animals, geometric shapes, and abstract artwork. Unlike children’s coloring books, which contain simple and larger shapes for easy coloring, adult coloring sheets require a high level of focus and creativity to get a perfect outcome.

Adult coloring sheets can be physical or digital, with finer and hidden details that demand a keen eye to color. These can keep the colorist engaged in the task, leading to numerous psychological and physiological benefits, including:

Stress and anxiety relief
A sense of accomplishment
Mindfulness
Self-awareness
Improved concentration, mental clarity, and fine motor skills

How to Get Started with Adult Coloring Sheets

Getting started with adult coloring sheets can be a daunting task. Before you start coloring, you may have questions about where to get coloring supplies, how much they will cost, and how your final design may look. You can answer the questions along your creation journey as you unlock more secrets about adult coloring. As a beginner, the three essential questions to answer are:

What will you color?
What will you use to color?
How will you color?

Are you ready to start your adult coloring journey? Here are the expert tips on how to get started.

1. Gather the Right Supplies

Adult coloring starts with getting the right supplies and knowing how to use them. As a beginner, you do not need expensive materials and hands-on experience to start coloring. You only need the right digital or physical tools and a convenient working space. Some of the must-have supplies include:

Adult coloring sheets or books: You can get free printable adult coloring sheets with designs that match your artistic interests. You can also buy affordable coloring pages or join adult coloring communities where you can share ideas on how to get the best adult coloring sheets.
Coloring tools: Colored pencils are the most preferred for beginners because they allow better control and shading. However, you can try crayons, watercolor pencils, and fine-tipped markers for their versatility.
Working surfaces and printers: Ensure you have stable working surfaces that allow you to color without missing the lines. You should also have reliable printers, especially if you plan to buy or download printable sheets.

2. Test Your Coloring Tools

Familiarize yourself with your supplies before starting your first project. You can begin coloring a blank sheet of paper and test different color combinations to see how they look. Testing your tools helps you understand how much pressure to apply, what color combinations work well together, and the layering density. Once familiar with different shading techniques, gradients, and color blends, you can color your first design.

3. Start with Simple Designs

Refrain from overwhelming yourself with complex patterns right away. Instead, start with simple, beginner-friendly geometric shapes, floral patterns, and basic mandalas. This will help you feel the process and grow your confidence as you move to more complex designs. Choosing intricate designs in the beginning can be frustrating, especially if you are still getting familiar with coloring tools and advancing your skills.

4. Experiment with Different Color Schemes

Adult coloring is experimenting with different color schemes and palettes to find those that suit your mood. Most beginners often stick to standard color schemes like monochromatic and analogous. Conversely, you can further experiment with complex combinations like split complementary, triadic, and square. You can also combine muted tones and bold hues to create unique finishes.

5. Create Your Unique Style

As you continue coloring more designs and images, you can create your unique coloring style by trying different color tones, brightness, and textures. You can also learn how to use different coloring tools simultaneously. For instance, try using differently colored pencils and shading techniques to get a mixed-media outcome.

6. Practice Mindful Coloring

Adult coloring seems like a fun activity, but it is a mindful practice that can enhance your self-care and allow you to connect with the present moment. The repetitive coloring motions can help you relax, relieve stress and anxiety, and boost your concentration. Therefore, instead of treating adult coloring only as a creative activity, you can try mindful coloring to experience its vast mental benefits. Some tips to experience mindful coloring include:

Finding a quiet space that allows you to concentrate
Set a specific day and time for coloring
Set the mood by lighting a candle or playing soothing music
Focus on the process and do not worry about the mistakes

7. Join Adult Coloring Communities

Joining online coloring communities is one of the fastest ways to learn about adult coloring. The communities allow you to connect with different colorists globally and share inspirations, feedback, and tips. You can find coloring groups on Facebook, Reddit, and Instagram and engage with other coloring enthusiasts who share your interests.

Final Thoughts on Adult Coloring Tips

Adult coloring sheets are a unique way to explore creativity while unwinding after a busy day and practicing mindfulness. They also allow you to color and create a design that matches your artistic desires and evokes emotions. However, starting with adult coloring sheets is difficult for beginners, although it becomes easier along the way.

Therefore, as you begin your adult coloring journey, remember to start with the right supplies and less complex patterns and experiment with different color schemes. You should also create your unique style and practice mindful coloring, which teaches you to focus on the process for a better outcome.