A Beginner’s Guide to Coloring Books

Welcome to the wonderful world of coloring with this beginner's guide to coloring books! If you’re here, you’re probably curious about diving into this creative hobby that’s taken over coffee tables and Instagram feeds alike.

Maybe you’ve seen those jaw-dropping, museum-worthy pages online and thought, “Yeah, I could totally do that… or at least not totally mess it up.” Good news: you’re in the right place. This beginner’s guide to coloring books is all about getting started with zero pressure. Coloring is supposed to be fun, not a race to impress your followers.

We’re going to focus on using alcohol markers as your go-to tool (they’re awesome, trust me), but I’ll also give some love to colored pencils and acrylic markers as additional tools of the coloring trade. We’ll talk about coloring book styles to target, why starting simple is your best bet, and how to level up as you get comfy. Plus, I’ll throw in a few extra nuggets of wisdom to keep you from tossing your markers out the window in frustration. 

 

Why Coloring Books?

Before we dig into the how-to, let’s talk about the why. Coloring books aren’t just for kids anymore. There’s something so satisfying and stress-relieving about watching a blank page come to life. With the rise of social media, it makes it so easy to share your art instantly, too, which is also part of the fun. The coloring community across TikTok and Instagram is so amazing and uplifting. 

Studies say that coloring is relaxing and calming (Google “coloring and stress relief” if you’re skeptical). Honestly, the real perk is that it’s a hobby where “good enough” is the goal. No one’s grading you. No one’s hovering over your shoulder saying, “That shading’s off.” It’s just you, some paper, and a handful of colors. And if your social media feed is full of perfectly blended masterpieces? Ignore ‘em. This is about your fun, not their flex.

 

Your Coloring Toolkit: Alcohol Markers and Friends

First things first: you need stuff to color with. Here’s the rundown on your options, with a spotlight on alcohol markers because they’re my personal favorite for bold, vibrant results.

 Alcohol Markers: The Star of the Show

Alcohol markers are like the rock stars of the coloring world. I remember my first time using my Ohuhu markers and thinking it was like magic the way the ink lays on the page so vibrantly. It's truly night and day compared to the markers you grew up with at elementary school.

The alcohol-based ink dries fast and delivers bold, vibrant hues that make your artwork pop. Unlike washable markers you used as a kid, these markers won’t leave streaky bare spots all over the paper. Just make sure you place an extra sheet of paper behind the page you are coloring, as the alcohol markers will bleed through the paper. 

Why they rock for coloring beginners:

Blending: You can mix colors right on the page for smooth gradients. There are multiple ways to blend these markers but more on that later in your journey. 

Coverage: They fill big spaces fast, perfect for those chunky outlines in beginner books. Many alcohol markers come in dual-tip form with one tip being more suited for larger spaces and one tip for more detailed work. 

Vibes: They feel fancy without requiring Picasso-level skill. If you keep it simple, even the most beginner level of artists will see results that impress when using alcohol markers. 

Pro Tip: Just grab a cheapo 12-pack to mess around with first. They bleed through paper like nobody’s business, so grab a scrap sheet to slip underneath your page. And don’t stress about being perfect. Experimenting is half the fun. After coloring a handful of pages you will start to learn more about your coloring style. Do you like the lighter shades or do you prefer bold, dark colors? 

If you decide the lighter colors suit your fancy then something like the Caliart Pastel Set would be a good one to get started with. If you lean to the bolder varieties, then I would suggest the Caliart 41-pack Dual-Tip Markers that has a lot of darker shades but also enough light colors to mix and match. 

Colored Pencils: The Reliable Sidekick

If alcohol markers sound intimidating or you have a youngster who likes to get into your art supplies then colored pencils are a good backup plan. They’re affordable, easy to control, and won’t bleed through (hallelujah). They’re great for:

• Detail Work: Tiny spaces? Pencils nail it.
• Layering: Build up color slowly for depth.

Pro Tip: Sharpen them often for crisp lines, and don’t sleep on a decent set like Prismacolor. They’re worlds apart from those waxy stubs you had in third grade.

Acrylic Markers: The Wildcard

Acrylic markers are paint in pen form. They’re less common for entire coloring pages but awesome for:

• Popping Details: Add highlights or cover mistakes.
• Mixed Media Vibes: Pair them with markers or pencils for extra flair.

Starter Kit Suggestion: Go with the Extra Fine Tip Acrylic Markers from Grabie. These offer a wide range of colors at an affordable starting price and the extra fine tip is filling in small spaces, great for fixing alcohol marker mistakes, as well as adding highlights to your coloring page. 

 

Coloring Book Styles: Where to Begin

For getting started with coloring books, go for bold and easy designs. These have thick lines, big spaces, and simple patterns. If you've been searching for coloring books at any point in the last year, you've probably seen just how popular this style is right now. 

Bold & Easy: Your Beginner BFF

The simple nature of these coloring books is what makes them so appealing. Why are they perfect for beginners?

• Low Pressure: No squinting at tiny details.
• Quick Wins: Finish a page in an hour and feel like a champ.
• Marker-Friendly: Alcohol markers shine with these wide-open spaces.

Stepping Up: Intermediate Vibes

Once you’ve got a few pages under your belt and aren’t terrified of your markers drying out mid-stroke, graduate to intermediate books. These have medium-sized details. Think smaller flowers, basic landscapes, or cartoon characters with accessories. They’re great for practicing blending with alcohol markers or layering with pencils.

Advanced: The Big Leagues

Ready to flex? Advanced coloring books are packed with intricate patterns, tiny swirls, detailed scenes, or hyper-realistic portraits. They’re stunning but intense. Save these for when you’re confident. Alcohol markers can tackle them, but you’ll want precision and patience. You’ll want to bring your finest tips when using markers or opt for colored pencils to more easily stay inside of the smaller spaces. 

Game plan for getting started with coloring books: Start bold and easy. Build your skills before jumping into the fancy stuff. Don't worry about having the best markers for coloring right away. You can upgrade as you grow. Bold & Easy coloring books for beginners are your playground. Many can play here for years without getting bored, don’t rush the glow-up.

Getting Started with Coloring Books: Tips to Keep It Fun

Alright, you’ve got your tools and your book. Now what? Here’s how to dive in without overthinking it.

Pick a Page, Any Page: Flip through your book and choose whatever catches your eye. No overanalyzing, just vibe with it. I've found that with some coloring books I can open it up and instantly find a page I gel with within a few pages. Whenever you find a book like this, take note and try to find more books by that same author or search for other coloring books of a similar style. 

Start Simple: Grab one or two colors and fill in a big section. With alcohol markers, go fast to avoid streaks but don’t rush. Even if you do end up with streaks you can always go over with a second layer, resulting in a darker, but streak-free, result.

Experiment: Try blending two marker shades (wet-on-wet) or layering pencils for depth. Mess up? Call it “abstract.” 

Forget Perfection: Your flower doesn’t need to look like it belongs in a gallery. Mine sure don’t. Wobbly lines? Yeah, I’ve got a million of them. Call it character and move on. I promise no one’s judging as hard as you think.

Coloring Mantra: This is fun. Not a job. Not a competition. Fun.

 

Troubleshooting for Newbies: Because We All Spill Ink Sometimes

Every beginner hits a snag when starting out with coloring books. Here’s how to handle the common ones:

Marker Bleed-Through: It happens. Stick a spare sheet under your page next time. You can always rip out the coloring page if you prefer or don’t trust yourself to remember the spare sheet behind the page. However, like any habit, it will start to become second nature and the times you forget will be few and far between before you know it. 

Color Overload: Too many shades on one page? Pick a palette (3-5 colors) and stick to it. Less is more. The three-marker challenge became a popular trend on TikTok for a reason. It's a fun challenge that keeps it simple and often still produces great results. 

Uneven Blending: Alcohol markers streak if you’re slow. Practice on scrap paper to get the rhythm. If you do end up with streaks, just apply a second layer using the same color or a slightly darker shade. 

Leveling Up: When You’re Ready for More

As you get comfy, try these to spice up your coloring book journey:

• Mix Media: Use alcohol markers for big areas, pencils for details, and acrylic markers for highlights. Fineliner pens can also be used for details or highlights. Don’t feel like splurging for acrylic markers right away? The Gelly Roll basic white pens can be your first friend when it comes to highlights. 
  
• Shading and highlights: Start simple with shading and highlights but as you get more advanced you can play with more advanced shading and highlight techniques. 
• Coloring techniques: I will be sharing some of my favorite coloring techniques here on the JMC Colors blog but in the meantime you can also search TikTok or Instagram for coloring techniques. This might involve different methods of blending, fun patterns, or unique ways to play with the lighting source. 

Coloring Books for Beginners: Your Hygge Haven Awaits

Getting started with coloring books is as simple as picking up a marker and making your mark. Alcohol markers bring the bold, colored pencils keep it light, and acrylic markers add a little edge. Use what feels right. Start with bold, easy pages, move to trickier ones as you grow, and above all, focus on the fun. Your lopsided, neon-green dinosaur or slightly streaky sunset? That’s the real magic.

So grab a coloring book for beginners, snag some coloring supplies, and get going. This isn’t just about filling pages, it’s about embracing the hygge life as the Danes might say, where cozy moments and quiet joys take center stage. Picture it: you, a warm drink, a soft blanket, and your markers, turning a rainy afternoon into something downright magical. You’ve got this, and it’s going to be a blast.

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