Coloring is a wonderful way for artists of all levels to practice their skills, develop new techniques, and build a daily habit of making art with their hands. In this article I explore a few ways that you can turn our coloring collection into an at-home art class to relax, get creative, and have fun.
“Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”
-Albert Einstein-
Paints, Pencils, Crayons, Oil Pastels, all ready to color!
Color Theory
Color theory is a set of guidelines used by artists to create harmonious color combinations.
Start by getting to know ROYGBIV (Red-Orange-Yellow-Green-Blue-Indigo-Violet), then expand into more complex colors and variations. By coloring regularly and starting simply with a limited number of colors, you’ll be able to build a foundational understanding of the connections between colors. Test your own knowledge and search for answers with art books and web resources.
Can you draw a Color Wheel?
Do you know which colors are Warm and which are Cool?
To get to know each color, try coloring a design with just one hue using shadows and highlights. Then move on to simple Primary and Tertiary Color Schemes. Explore common combinations, such as Analogous, Complementary, and Triadic. Write a glossary of terms, create color swatches, use these for future reference.
Explore Mediums
A medium is a substance or tool through which an artist creates a work of art. Some common media used in painting are watercolors, acrylics, and oils. The term can also be used to describe the type of paint used by an artist (for example, oil paints).
Start with coloring a page with a single medium, going through pencils, crayons, markers (even paints, charcoal, graphite pencils, etc) one at a time. Then start mixing.
What happens when the mediums are layered on top of each other?
What ones mix well together?
Which is your favorite, overall and for specific things?
Practice Technique
Technique in the arts refers to the means by which an artist creates a work of art. It encompasses the tools, materials, and methods used.
Develop hand-eye coordination and practice new methods for achieving different visual effects. Try cross-hatching, pointilism, gradients, blending, even other tools such as protractor for making circles and a straight edge for building patterns.
This can also include tracking your time and practice details.
How long does it take you to color a single page?
Can you make it take longer, or shorter?
How many colors did you use?
When do you usually color, and how much time do you spend making art?
The coloring pages provide a place for creative exploration. Simply find a technique you want to improve or focus on, such as creating texture, mixing mediums, or creating color harmonies.
Host an Art Gallery Event
Once you’ve created a collection of hand-colored artworks from your coloring books/posters/postcards it’s time to move into the next phase of the creation process: Sharing your work.
Start with an artist’s bio, where you write up your own story in a way that shares your style. Explore the following:
What inspires you?
What colors do you like to use?
What would you want to say about yourself, if your art was going to be at a museum or gallery or coffee shop?
You can even capture a self-portrait and create a flyer with your information.
Then, share the fun of making art with friends and family by hosting a gathering. You get to be the lead, talking about your own art and even teaching the techniques you used. Showcase your art and get them coloring too, particularly with a Coloring Postcard for each person. Gather color inspiration, your favorite mediums, along with some tasty treats and something special to drink. Imagine you’re a famous artist and this is your first Gallery Showcase.
Remember to Have Fun
By using coloring as a tool for these art studies, it takes away the pressure of a blank page. The lines provide a framework for the creative experience, and in doing so free the imagination. Always remember, there is no right or wrong way to color – it is all about the experience itself.
Ready to get started?
Check out our SHOP to begin right away.
About the Author
Mackenzie Bakewell, or ZieBee, is the lead author and artist here at ZieBee Media. Mackenzie is a travel photographer, illustrator, and professional book maker. She specializes in helping people turn their ideas into reality, tapping into her background in web design, publishing, and portrait photography. She is passionate about the use of coloring as a tool for health and happiness.
