5 Things Every Colorist Needs (Adult Coloring Tips)

With over a decade spent in this wonderful world of adult coloring, I have come up with 5 things that I think every colorist needs to have joy and success in their coloring journey. I believe that these coloring tips and tricks will improve your coloring and the fun you get from it.

===FREE COLORING TOOLS===

Take Our Coloring Quiz

Free Swatch Charts

===RECOMMENDED VIDEO===

What is the BEST PAPER for COLORING?

===AFFILIATE LINKS===

Large Color Wheel

Nature Mandalas Coloring Book

Johanna Basford Rooms of Wonder

Ottlite Desk Lamp

===CHAPTER MARKERS===

00:00:00 - Welcome & Introduction
00:00:44 - 1: Art That Inspires You
00:01:47 - 2: Good Light
00:04:03 - 3: Color Wheel
00:05:14 - 4: Good Paper
00:07:41 - 5: Patience & Kindness for Yourself
00:09:32 - BONUS: Swatching
00:11:00 - Recap & Final Thoughts

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[Julie-vyoz]

Every colorist needs a Rose…. So make that six things ;)

[CynthiaBerry]

I'd say an honorable mention would be a good desk or table with a comfy chair or a happy nest that you can snuggle into like your bed or a soft chair!

[ripley]

Look at Rose🤣😂 she’s so focused on you! Adorable

[sapphire]

The 5th need is mega important. Sometimes I get so discouraged about coloring when I screw something up beyond repair lol. I'm like "what was I thinking". But, then I realize I do have an imagination up there, and I just need to keep practicing to pull it out. I also ordered the color wheel. Thanks for sharing your perspective on the things a colorist needs.

[anneleonas]

I enjoy seeing Rose listen to you so intently! 🥰

[lachauntiswashington]

these are great tips. I really need to get some swatches to keep my colors organized and practice blending. I use scratch paper to see what the colors look like since they are different from the box. And a color wheel would be helpful too. Thank you for this. 😊❤❤❤

[tommiesmith]

The 5 things a colorist needs is spot on, especially #5, being a colorists isn’t made in a day. I hate swatching but I see how important it is. Thanks 🙏🏽 for the informative and encouraging video. 👍👍🙏🏽🙏🏽💞💞

[catbriggs]

Great video! Thank you, Coloring Bliss! I discovered a proper-sized chair mat is helpful in moving around between desk space and supplies storage. It should be large enough to cover the area where your chair "travels" the most. My other favorite is a range of erasers. I have a Derwent automatic (battery-operated), a Tombow Mono Ink "sand" eraser -- for stubborn marks--plus a Staedtler gum eraser. Similar items are available in other brands' lines.

[dotellabelle]

Absolutely loved this video—great tips! Choosing inspiring art and having good lighting really do enhance the coloring experience. And you're so right about the importance of patience and kindness towards oneself. As someone who loves using watercolor pencils, I’ve found that high-quality card stock really brings out the best in this medium. Thanks for such an informative and encouraging video!

[Gamer_Allie]

I took your test mentioned and I agree with the results. I am an introverted, therapeutic, craftsy-artsy, creatively unsatisfied artist. I’m excited to read about what it means and how to get better with my art. Thank you Jennifer and Steve for all you do. ❤

[julienotsmith]

I have a tiny LED light I can clip on the earpiece of my glasses, and move it around so it shines into any shadows from my hand. I think about $25 on Amazon? (My spouse got them - a set of two in a single pack - as a gift, so I don’t know details.) It always seems silly to me, but I sure like having it. 😁

[ellenbrechin]

I haven't colored since I was a child, and I have just turned 73. I didn't realize there was so much to coloring. I need classes on " How to color"

[carolynbeam]

Jennifer and Steve do a great job explaining and covering the process of coloring

[kiwess]

Wow! I'm a member of your website and I love it. You're very right about the 5 essentials and I do all of them, with the exception of the Ott Lite. I just added it to my wish list on Amazon. Paper is the most important for me. I couldn't agree more. I've found that with great paper, even your cheapest mediums will look like you used expensive mediums. I purchase my paper from your store as well and I absolutely love it! I encourage all your followers to purchase your paper because it's really awesome! I've made beautiful art with it!

[Emmawilliams]

Hi Jennifer, Steve and rose.. great tips love these tips especially no.5 so important as we can be to harsh on our selves tysmfs 🥰🙏

[Linda-qqmg]

I love your mix media paper, and enjoyed this video! Thank you so much.

[JustHatchinIdeasU]

Thanks for this! Especially the swatching 😊 I’ve been wanting to color but felt stuck Now to print out those charts and get swatching! Jennifer, you are great as always!😊😊

[lisa_cotter]

I agree totally <3 Good lighting is a must have, and great paper makes colouring so much better! oh I took your quiz I am crafty artsy of course ! and yep im a extrovert, though i will say I do prefer coloring alone, I feel to much pressure when doing color alongs on my youtube channel sounds silly but its stressful making sure your hands not in the way of the camera! it cuts the fun for me, I love the colouring community we are a deverse group, full of different people who have a passion for colouring!

[shannonlowery]

My birthday is this month and am planning on nabing some of your books and I agree you do need to be patient and kind to yourself with coloring. I'm not no where neare as good as everyone I know but I do it for fun and it helps me emotionally especially now since I just lost my mom back in December.

[wilmaeckhardt-hfzm]

I just love Rose! Greetings from the Netherlands.