Coloring For Adults: Pushing Your Creativity to the Next Level
There are so many different coloring books on the market and so many different materials to choose from, but how can you find a way to challenge your creativity and bring your coloring to life in a whole new way?
In this blog post, I will share with you some of my favourite coloring challenges that really help to make each coloring experience feel fun, unique and a great way to build those artistic skills.
The Benefits of Coloring Challenges
But first, what are the benefits of choosing a coloring challenge rather than simply coloring a picture in a normal way? Well, they offer a range of benefits that can help you grow as an artist and enjoy your hobby even more.
Here are just a few reasons why you might want to give them a try:
1. Expand Your Skill Set
Coloring challenges often encourage you to try new techniques and experiment with different styles. Whether it's blending, shading, or intricate detailing, tackling a challenge can help you develop your skills and become a more versatile colorist.
2. Boost Your Creativity
Stepping outside of your comfort zone and trying something new is a great way to spark your creativity. Coloring challenges often come with prompts or themes that can inspire you to think differently and come up with unique ideas for your artwork.
3. Gain Confidence
Taking on a challenge and seeing it through to the end can give you a real sense of accomplishment. As you tackle more challenges and see your skills improve, your confidence as an artist is likely to grow too.
Types of Coloring Challenges
There are many different types of coloring challenges out there, so you're sure to find one that suits your interests and skill level. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
1. Daily Challenges
Daily challenges involve coloring a new picture every day for a set period of time. These challenges are a great way to get into the habit of coloring regularly and can help you develop a more consistent practice. I find these particularly rewarding when I have struggled to find the time to color for a while and I begin to feel my mental health suffering as a result. As a Mom, it is often difficult to find the time, but daily challenges help me to stay the course until coloring is once again a regular part of my routine.
2. Weekly Challenges
If a daily challenge feels too overwhelming, you might want to try a weekly challenge instead. With a weekly challenge, you'll have more time to work on each picture, but you'll still benefit from the regular practice and the opportunity to experiment with different techniques.
This is also a great way to set time for relaxation into your schedule. For example, you might find that every Friday evening, after a long work week, you need some time to unwind and once you begin to make this a weekly habit, you'll soon find yourself in a much more relaxed place.
3. Themed Challenges
Themed challenges involve coloring pictures based on a specific theme or subject. This could be anything from animals to flowers to your favorite movie characters. Themed challenges are a great way to explore your interests and preferences as an artist.
To complete a themed challenge, simply decide on your favourite thing and use this as inspiration for each piece. For example, you could color a new page in the style of a different disney princess or choose a different season and use the colors from each as inspiration for each page.
4. Collaborative Challenges
Collaborative challenges involve working on a coloring project with one or more other artists. This could be as simple as each coloring a page from the same book or as complex as working together to create a larger piece of artwork.
Collaborative challenges can be a fun way to connect with other artists and learn from each other.
An other great way to collaborate is with someone in your family. I often keep two copies of my coloring books on hand, so when I have the spare time, I sit alongside my son and we color the same page at the same time. It is a really special bonding experience that has helped us to find relaxation together while making memories.
5. Skill-Building Challenges
Skill-building challenges are designed to help you develop specific skills or techniques. These challenges can be a great way to push yourself out of your comfort zone and grow as an artist.
Some things you could try:
- Only using shades of one color
- Using only colors from one shade (e.g. different shades of green)
- Using blending techniques for each section
- Layering different colours
- Using new materials e.g. watercolors
- Using color gradients across the page from light to dark or vice versa
- Using negative space (coloring only certain sections of a design with some spaces left blank for an interesting effect)
- Adding textures or patterns on top of your coloring
- Color blocking (dividing the picture into segments and coloring each part in different colors)
When it comes to skill building challenges, the sky's the limit! You can choose to work on any skill you need to take your work to the next level.
Getting Started with a Coloring Challenge
So, are you ready to take on a coloring challenge? Here are some tips to help you get started:
1. Choose the Right Challenge for You
There are so many different coloring challenges out there, so take some time to find one that appeals to you. Consider your skill level, your interests, and how much time you have to devote to the challenge.
If you are looking to increase the amount of time you spend on relaxation and coloring, then a time based challenge such as setting daily or weekly goals is going to work best for you. However, if you regularly color then you might prefer to choose a skill based challenge.
2. Gather Your Supplies
Make sure you have all the supplies you need before you start your challenge. This might include coloring books, pencils, markers, or whatever else you like to use in your artwork.
Don't forget, you can check out the full range of my coloring books right here. Including my digital PDF books, so you can get started today!
3. Set Realistic Goals
Be realistic about what you can achieve with the time and resources you have available.
If you're new to coloring challenges, start with something small and manageable, like a weekly challenge and don't forget that your challenges are not set in stone. If you find it too challenging or too easy, you can always go back and review or change completely to a new challenge.
4. Stay Consistent
Consistency is key when it comes to coloring challenges. Try to set aside some time each day or each week to work on your pictures, and stick to your schedule as much as possible.
Having a set time to work on your challenge will really help to see it through!
5. Don't Be Afraid to Experiment
One of the best things about coloring challenges is that they give you the opportunity to try new things and experiment with different techniques. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and see what you can create.
Conclusion
Coloring challenges can be a fun and rewarding way to push your creativity to the next level and take your coloring hobby up a notch. Whether you're looking to expand your skill set, boost your creativity, or connect with other artists, there's sure to be a challenge out there that's perfect for you. So why not give it a try?
Who knows what amazing artwork you might create!
Happy coloring and don't forget to tag me @KimberleyKreates on social media so I can see your wonderful creations!