Wondering how to choose an adult coloring book: A Beginner’s Guide

Have you ever looked at a beautiful coloring book and wondered where to begin? With so many wonderful designs, styles, and levels of detail available, choosing your first adult coloring book can feel a little overwhelming.

The good news? Finding the perfect coloring book doesn’t have to be complicated!

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing creative hobby, a way to enjoy some screen-free time, or simply something fun to do, there’s a coloring book waiting to inspire you.

In this beginner’s guide, we’ll explore how to choose an adult coloring book that matches your interests, coloring experience, and personal style.

1. Think About What You Enjoy Coloring

The first step in choosing an adult coloring book is finding a subject that makes you smile.

After all, coloring should be something you look forward to, not another task on your to-do list.

Some popular coloring themes include:

• Flowers and gardens: Beautiful blossoms, leaves, bouquets, and botanical arrangements.
• Animals and nature: Birds, butterflies, wildlife, and peaceful outdoor scenes.
• Fantasy and imagination: Dragons, magical creatures, and decorative fantasy artwork.
• Intricate patterns: Mandala-style designs, repeating shapes, and Zentangle-inspired illustrations.
• Bold and easy designs: Larger coloring spaces, simple outlines, and cheerful subjects.

If you love gardening, a floral coloring book might be the perfect place to begin. If you enjoy fantasy stories, imaginative creatures and dragons could spark your creativity.

Beginner’s tip: Choose a theme you genuinely enjoy rather than selecting a book simply because it looks complicated or impressive.

2. Choose the Right Level of Detail

Not all adult coloring books are created with the same level of complexity.

Some feature intricate illustrations with tiny spaces and elaborate patterns. Others offer larger shapes and bold outlines that are easier to color.

Neither style is better. The right choice depends on what you enjoy.

Bold and Easy Coloring Books

Bold and easy coloring books are wonderful for beginners and anyone who prefers a simpler coloring experience.

They typically feature larger coloring areas and clear outlines, making it easier to work with crayons, colored pencils, or markers.

These books are especially appealing when you want to enjoy coloring without spending a long time completing a single page.

Detailed and Intricate Coloring Books

If you enjoy spending time on small details, intricate coloring books offer plenty of creative possibilities.

Decorative patterns, detailed flowers, and fantasy illustrations provide opportunities to experiment with shading, blending, and color combinations.

A detailed page may take several coloring sessions to finish, and that’s perfectly fine!

Remember: Coloring isn’t a race. Enjoying the creative process matters more than finishing quickly.

3. Consider Your Favorite Coloring Supplies

Before choosing an adult coloring book, think about the materials you plan to use.

Different coloring tools can create very different experiences.

Colored Pencils

Colored pencils are a versatile choice for beginners.

They offer control, make it easier to work in small spaces, and allow you to build up colors gradually.

They’re especially useful for floral illustrations, intricate patterns, and designs where you’d like to experiment with shading.

Markers

Markers are wonderful for creating bright, bold colors.

They’re particularly enjoyable with larger illustrations and bold and easy coloring books.

However, some markers can bleed through paper, so it’s important to consider the book’s paper and page layout.

Placing a protective sheet behind the page you’re coloring can help protect the next design.

Crayons

Crayons aren’t just for children!

They can be a fun, affordable option for adult coloring, especially when working with larger spaces and simpler illustrations.

Their soft, familiar feel makes them a great choice for casual creative sessions.

Beginner’s tip: You don’t need expensive supplies to start coloring. A basic set of colored pencils and a coloring book you enjoy are more than enough.

4. Look at the Page Layout and Book Size

When shopping for adult coloring books, pay attention to the book’s size and how its illustrations are arranged.

A larger book may provide more room to color and make detailed designs easier to work with.

Smaller books can be convenient when traveling or coloring in limited spaces.

You may also want to look for books with single-sided illustrations.

Why Single-Sided Pages Can Be Helpful

With a single-sided coloring book, each design is printed on one side of the sheet.

This can make it easier to display finished artwork and may reduce the risk of damaging another illustration if your coloring materials bleed through.

Keep in mind that marker ink can still soak through the paper, so using a protective sheet is always a good idea.

Before purchasing, check the product description and sample pages to make sure the layout meets your preferences.

5. Decide How Much Time You Want to Spend Coloring

One of the nicest things about coloring is that you can enjoy it at your own pace.

Some people love spending an entire afternoon working on one detailed illustration. Others prefer a quick coloring session with a cup of tea or coffee.

If you have only 10–15 minutes available, a bold and easy design might be especially enjoyable.

If you prefer longer creative sessions, a detailed floral arrangement or intricate decorative pattern could be a wonderful choice.

You can even keep more than one coloring book on hand: one for quick, easy coloring and another for days when you feel like exploring something more elaborate.

6. Choose Colors That Make You Happy

One of the biggest misconceptions about coloring is that you need to use realistic colors.

You don’t!

A flower can be bright blue, a dragon can be pink and gold, and a butterfly can have every color of the rainbow.

Your coloring book is your creative space.

Try experimenting with different combinations:

• Soft pastels for a gentle, peaceful look.
• Bright, cheerful colors for playful designs.
• Earth tones for nature-inspired illustrations.
• Deep jewel tones for fantasy artwork.
• Contrasting colors to make decorative patterns stand out.

There’s no single correct way to color a page.

The most important thing is to enjoy making it your own.

7. Don’t Worry About Being an Artist

You don’t need artistic experience to enjoy adult coloring books.

In fact, one of the reasons coloring is such an accessible hobby is that the illustrations are already there for you.

You can focus on selecting colors, filling spaces, and exploring your imagination.

There’s no pressure to create a masterpiece.

Some days, you might carefully blend several shades together. Other days, you might simply fill a page with your favorite colors.

Both are perfectly wonderful ways to enjoy coloring.

If you’re curious about why so many adults enjoy this creative activity, read our article 7 Wonderful Benefits of Coloring for Adults for more inspiration.

8. Explore Different Coloring Styles

As you become more comfortable with coloring, you may discover that your preferences change.

Perhaps you begin with bold and easy illustrations and later develop a love for intricate floral designs.

Or maybe you start with decorative patterns and discover that fantasy artwork is your favorite.

That’s part of the fun!

Trying different coloring styles can keep your hobby fresh and exciting.

You might even experiment with different supplies, such as combining colored pencils with markers or trying new shading techniques.

Every coloring page is another opportunity to learn something about your creative preferences.

9. Make Coloring Part of Your Everyday Routine

Once you’ve found an adult coloring book you enjoy, consider setting aside a little time for coloring.

You don’t need a complicated routine.

Find a comfortable place, gather your supplies, and enjoy a few moments of creativity.

You might color while listening to music, during a quiet afternoon, or as a screen-free activity in the evening.

Some people enjoy coloring alone, while others turn it into a shared activity with friends or family.

Whatever works best for you is the right approach.

10. Discover Your Next Coloring Adventure with Windmill Colors

At Windmill Colors, we believe coloring is for everyone.

Whether you’re drawn to beautiful floral illustrations, decorative patterns, imaginative dragons, or bold and easy designs, the joy of coloring comes from expressing your creativity in your own unique way.

Our adult and teen coloring book collection offers a variety of themes and illustration styles to explore.

If you’re just beginning, start with a design that catches your eye. Choose your favorite colors, enjoy the experience, and remember that every finished page is something uniquely yours.

Ready to find your next creative adventure?

Explore our Adult & Teen Coloring Books collection and discover a world of color, imagination, and creative possibilities.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the perfect adult coloring book isn’t about finding the most elaborate design or the most expensive supplies.

It’s about discovering something that inspires you.

Start with a subject you love, select a level of detail that feels comfortable, and give yourself permission to experiment.

Whether you spend ten minutes or two hours coloring, every page offers a chance to create something special.

So grab your favorite colors, find a design you love, and let your creativity shine!