“Cozy coloring” trend has sparked a slew of cute illustrated books for adults, and it has been my new consuming hobby in July. Current alcohol marker technology lays down color very evenly at only $1 per marker. It has been so satisfying to color while watching episode after episode of Brooklyn 99 after work.
I shall now explain the techniques I have accumulated, on the pages I've done, chronologically. Afterwards, I will also discuss my favorite part of this current hobby and every hobby, which is product research; as well as what coloring techniques I am interested to try next.
1. Choose your colors in advance. You can test combos on a scratch paper.
2. Experiment with a duochromatic color gradient.
It's clear I was learning how alcohol markers behave here and still trying to get the hang of it.
3. Color normally with a limited palette. Practice shadows and shinies (paint pen highlights).
4. Try two-toned coloring with glow lighting technique and sparkle border.
I was very drawn to this style initially, but coloring the entire page with a single marker felt boring and wasteful.
5. Try two-toned glow effect again with additional light sources.
6. Test out paint markers. Try jelly effect.
Paint markers are frustrating to color with. Textured nib feels squeaky and the opaque ink is unforgiving. Stick to alcohol markers.
7. Try rainbow outline + gray fill effect.
8. Try making patterns.
It's important to let each layer dry so that the pattern doesn't blur.
9. Commit to full jelly effect.
Try larger dark spots and fewer shinies next time. Too much detail in the small areas hurt legibility. This took about 4 hours.
10. Print digital coloring page onto new paper. Color a gradient sky and draw in clouds. Play with layering multiple colors to create new shades.
This paper is mediocre at handling patchiness, but blank paper opens up the world of digital coloring pages.
Materials discovery
Markers: After quickly realizing that alcohol markers outperform paint markers, the clear industry favorite for alcohol is Ohuhu Honolulu B. Among the few available sets, I landed on yixia, supplemented by individual markers. It will be difficult to expand my collection economically, as Ohuhu sets are either highly overlapping (the upcharged collab sets) or highly diluted with colors I wouldn't use (the base sets). I will likely be purchasing individual markers, even though they are the most expensive per piece and don't have bullet nibs. My focus is to keep adding colors as I demonstrate necessity and usage of them.
Books: Coco Wyo is the leading cozy coloring publisher and a happy starting point. As I expand, options for good art on good paper is limited. I am currently testing coloring paper, but paper choices are also surprisingly limited. Once I choose a favorite, I'll be able to print out the couple adorable, magical digital books that I found.
Techniques: I farm ideas from Youtube. I will likely want a tutorial book and colored paint pens to learn more techniques, in the near future.
Experience
A coloring page takes me around 2-2.5 hours. I usually feel quite satisfied or very satisfied with my work, as the purpose is enjoyment and relaxation.