Have you ever seen a coloring design colored by two different people and even though the design is exactly the same, the finished coloring can look completely different? Well the truth is that some colorists take things to a whole different level and use professional artistic strategies to create some pretty amazing effects. Here are some the techniques that professionals use to create those amazing pieces.
Use a spare piece of paper behind coloring design
Coloring from Instagram by @mtalbac
This is a good tip especially if you are coloring a book that perhaps does not have the thickest paper or you plan on using watercolors. By placing a piece of paper, or even better, a sheet of card-stock behind the page you are coloring will help you save the rest of the designs in the book by soaking up any bleed through that would otherwise get onto the other designs and ruin them.
Add your own designs to the colorings
Coloring from Instagram by @shawnannjimmurphy
Sometimes what separates an average design from become extraordinary is...YOU. If a design has some open space experiment by creating your own background and patterns to fill that space. This can dramatically affect the finished product. Better yet why not try to fit patterns into the subject of the design themselves and instead of coloring just a fish, make it an awesome mandala fish.
Put down an initial layer of color
Coloring from Instagram by @colorvscolour
This is an awesome tip that will help you create those really deep colors in your art. By putting down an initial layer of color on the page and then coloring on top of it with coloring pencils you will help create a much deeper color with much more texture and shading. It just a whole other level to your art.
Blend colors with a solvent
Coloring from Instagram by @artecomoterapia
When coloring with pencils it can be difficult to create high quality blending but using some sort of solvent will help break the individual lines of the pencil and fuse all the colors together. Solvents can range from simple tap water to rubbing alcohol and several different types of chemicals (consult your local art shop for the best option for your colored pencils). Try using this method to fuse colored pencils of different colors together.
Color with patterns
Image from www.tombowusa.com
Next time you are coloring a large open space consider doing so with a pattern instead of just the normal back and forth motion of the pencil. Try filling the space with a cross pattern or any other version of a zentangle. This will add texture and a whole new level to your colorings.
Join a coloring club
With any undertaking whether it is something for your professional life, fitness, or a hobby like coloring, surrounding yourself with a group of people with the same goals and likes is a huge benefit. By joining a coloring club you can share your creations with fellow colorists, get more suggestions and tips, and even form friendships and participate in in-person coloring clubs! Doesn’t that sound awesome!?
Experiment
People say that there are no rules in love and war, and we would like to add art to that list. Many famous artists became famous by breaking the rules and experimenting with new methods. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your designs and try new things, it only takes one successful experiment to find some awesome new technique that you can share with the world over social media or even just with your local colorist friends. Art is all about experimentation and letting your ideas see the light of day.
Have you experimented with any of these techniques and would like to share your creations with us? Tag us on Instagram @creativelycalmstudios so we can see your beautiful colorings, and who knows, we may even feature your creations with the rest of our followers :) Happy coloring and don’t forget, experiment boldly!