9 Reasons to Color
1 Coloring is for everyone
Coloring is not just for kids or makers.
You don’t even need to think you are creative to color.
You don’t need any skill to begin, and you can start at whatever stage in life you are in.
2 Coloring may Help you feel lighter or maybe even happier
That is if you are coloring in a way that feels right for you.
If you tried coloring once and didn’t like it, you may need to explore more types of illustrations, subjects, and even ways to color. Choose subjects that make you feel excited. Use tools that you are curious about.
Coloring is a way to explore.
3 You will get better the more color
In just 9 days coloring this Johnny Jump Up illustration, I’ve watched my own skills grow.
The more you spend time on something typically has results of you growing better. So if you are wishing to be “better”, just keep at it. Only compare your coloring progress to yesterday’s work and try not to compare it to other’s.
4 Coloring May change your focus
Whether you color for 5 minutes or 5 hours, coloring gives the mind a moment to refocus and reset.
Sometimes when my mind is feeling a bit loud or I’m needing to go between projects, I’ve been taking a few moments to color. As I become lost in layers of color my mind begins to quiet.
Bonus: Coloring in the evening can be a lovely way to help prepare for a good night of sleep. The nights I color before bed have been becoming nights the nights I fall asleep faster.
5 You may find your favorite colors used on repeat
Whether we each have a favorite color or not, I believe we each have colors we are drawn to. If you aren’t sure which colors you are pulled towards, just start coloring A LOT. After a few months, you’ll start seeing what colors you are pulled towards through the colorings and by possibly how short those color pencils become.
If you already know what your favorite colors are, that’s perfect. Use them to get started to color. And keep using them until you are ready to expand to more colors.
6 Colors begin to slowly make sense
Colors begin to come alive. You begin seeing the world around you with possibilities of color combos to use on your next coloring adventure. You will find more confidence in not just choosing colors but slowly expanding and testing new color combos to try.
I’ve been a black and white artist for a long time, and color palettes have not always made sense to me. I love contrast and sometimes I don’t always see how to create that type of contrast with colors. But after four years of coloring I’ve begun to find more confidence in choosing colors to work with, and no longer fear color. Color begins to aid in communicating the story.
When in doubt, just copy the colors of nature.
7 You May Build & Grow friendships
Over the course of making coloring books and coloring in my own illustrations, I’ve found coloring to be a lovely activity to build friendships.
It’s now one of my favorite activities to do when getting to know someone. So next time you have a coffee meet up planned with new or old friend, grab a couple coloring books and some tools. Keeping your hands busy while getting to know someone is a fun way to create a bond over creativity. It may take you both back to childhood memories.
8 You may begin to Become more creative
The more creativity you use, the more you are rewarded with.
As we grow older, it is easier to forget to make room in our days for some playful fun. Coloring is that. Playful fun. Some days might not allow for this, but try your best to invest in your creative self. You don’t have to color for long. Even 15 min a day will be enough to booster a spark of new energy.
There is still something different about creating an illustration vs coloring that illustration. Coloring becomes a reward. It’s the “non-work” time for the artist. So if you are an artist reading this, go treat yourself to some creative play. You need it. You’ll come back to your projects refreshed and ready with a new perspective.
9 You don’t have to show anyone your coloring
Color for you. An investment to grow. A gift of creative expression. A gift of play. A gift to relax. A gift of refocus.
It’s up to you if you want to share your coloring. Do it for you and not for the outcome to share unless you want to.
And if you have colored one of my illustrations, and DO want to share it, please let me see! It would really make my day. There are so many of my illustrations I’m eagerly waiting to see brought to life. I typically only color a handful of them for my own play and to inspire you.
Are you ready to color?
Find this illustration inside my newest book!
What are your reasons to color?
Let me know in the comments below.
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