Colouring is a beloved activity by people of all ages, offering relaxation, creativity, and a way to express oneself. But with so many colouring tools available, from the classic crayon to sophisticated artist pens, choosing the right tool for your colouring book can make all the difference. In this blog post, we'll dive into the benefits and drawbacks of various colouring tools such as crayons, coloured pencils, gel pens, markers, and watercolour pencils, helping you decide which is best suited for your artistic endeavours.
Permanent Markers
Permanent markers, often epitomized by brands like Sharpie, are favoured for their lasting marks and versatility across different surfaces.
Benefits:
- Highly Permanent: Permanent markers are smudge-proof and water-resistant, making them ideal for projects that require longevity.
- Vivid on Various Surfaces: Effective on not just paper, but also on plastic, metal, wood, and more, offering expansive creative possibilities.
- Wide Range of Colours: Available in a broad spectrum of colours, including neon and metallic, allowing for vibrant, expressive artwork.
Drawbacks:
- Indelibility: The permanent nature means mistakes cannot be easily corrected, requiring more precision and planning.
- Potential Bleed Through: Like other markers, they can bleed through paper, necessitating careful selection of the underlying surface.
- Odor and Toxicity: Often contain strong solvents, which can emit fumes that may be unpleasant or harmful over long periods in unventilated spaces.
Felt Pens
Felt pens, characterized by their porous tips made from compressed fibres, are popular for both writing and colouring, offering a smooth and even application.
Benefits:
- Smooth Application: The felt tip allows for a soft, even distribution of ink, ideal for filling in large colour blocks without streaking.
- Precise Yet Flexible: The tips can be fine for detailed work or broad for coverage, providing flexibility based on tip size.
- Fast Drying: Generally dries quickly to prevent smudging, enhancing the neatness of the final artwork.
Drawbacks:
- Fraying Tips: Over time, the felt tips can fray or compress, leading to less precise lines and potential uneven ink flow.
- Ink Depletion: May run out of ink faster than other types of markers, especially when used for extensive colouring tasks.
- Limited Blendability: While they lay down colour smoothly, felt pens typically do not blend well on paper, limiting gradient creation unless blended quickly after application.
Crayons
Crayons are the first art tool many of us come to know. With their rich texture and ease of use, they are particularly popular among young children.**
Benefits:
- User-Friendly: Easy to grip and control; suitable for even the youngest artists.
- Vibrant and Waxy: Provides bright, rich colours with a pleasing tactile feel.
- Cost-Effective: Generally inexpensive and available in large packs with diverse colours.
Drawbacks:
- Limited Detail: Not suitable for detailed colouring due to their thicker tips.
- Blending Issues: Difficult to blend seamlessly, limiting artistic versatility.
Coloured Pencils
Coloured pencils are a staple in any artist's toolkit, valued for their precision and the control they offer over colour application.
Benefits:
- Precision: Allows for greater detail, perfect for intricate designs.
- Blendable: Easy to blend colours to create new hues and gradients.
- Variety of Hardness: Different hardness levels affect colour intensity and line sharpness.
Drawbacks:
- Requires Sharpening: Frequent sharpening can lead to material wastage.
- Pressure Sensitivity: Requires varying pressure levels to achieve desired effects, which may be tiring.
Gel Pens
Gel pens are favoured for their smooth application and the unique, vibrant effects they can create, such as glitter or metallic finishes.
Benefits:
- Vivid and Smooth: Produces a smooth line with a range of vibrant colours.
- Perfect for Detail: Excellent for adding delicate details or embellishments.
- Variety in Effects: Offers effects like glitter, metallic, and even glow-in-the-dark.
Drawbacks:
- Ink Usage: Can deplete quickly, especially when used for large areas.
- Smudging and Drying Time: Some types may smear or require longer drying times.
Markers
Markers are another popular choice for their vivid output and ease of use. They range from fine liners to broad tips, suitable for both detailed and large-scale work.
Benefits:
- Bold and Uniform Application: Strong, even application of colour.
- Quick-Drying: Most markers dry quickly, minimizing the risk of smudging.
- Diverse Tip Sizes: Available in a range of tip sizes for different artistic needs.
Drawbacks:
- Bleed Through: Can bleed through pages unless the paper is sufficiently thick.
- Less Blendable: While some markers are designed to blend, many do not, limiting gradient effects.
Watercolour Pencils
Watercolour pencils are perfect for artists who enjoy the versatility of watercolour but prefer the control of a pencil.
Benefits:
- Dual-Use: Can be used dry or with water for different effects.
- Control and Versatility: Combines the precision of coloured pencils with the blending abilities of watercolors.
- Unique Textures: Allows for creating washes and textures not achievable with other mediums.
Drawbacks:
- Requires Additional Tools: Need for a brush and water for full effect.
- Paper Requirements: Best results require watercolour-specific paper, which may not be ideal for all colouring books.
What’s your go to?
Each colouring tool offers unique benefits and can be suited to different styles, preferences, and the specific demands of your colouring book's paper and design. Crayons and markers are great for their vibrancy and ease of use, ideal for young artists or those who favour bold, graphic looks. Coloured pencils and gel pens offer more precision and blending capabilities, suited for detailed and nuanced artwork. Watercolour pencils provide a bridge between drawing and painting, perfect for those who like to experiment with textures and effects.
The key is to consider what you value most in your colouring—whether it's the ease of use, the ability to detail and blend, or the sheer pleasure of watching colours mix and meld in new and exciting ways. Experiment with different tools to find what best sparks your creativity and brings your colouring pages to life! What ever you choose, Colourly has a great selection of tools to help in finding your go to choice.
