It's difficult to choose from so many, isn't it?

Coloring books are all over now, even Bed Bath Beyond and Costco has them. I saw on Amazon that there is a coloring book for the Gabaldon Outlander book series.

Let us know what you get.

Hope I'm not hijacking here...I'm thinking this would be a fun new hobby for my newly-retired sister during the long winter (Christmas gift). What sort of pencils do you coloring fans prefer?

I really have gotten into this hobby and really enjoy it. For the colors I personally don't like the pencils, my 2 top choices are gel pens and Bic mark-its. You can find the sets of both at many stores. I found a huge 100 gel pen set at Costco for $20,and a set in a nice metal carry case of 36 gel pens at big Lots for around $10. I have bought nice good quality coloring books at hobby lobby, Walmart, and Amazon. Plus I have printed several from online sites using very heavy paper. This is a great hobby and a good idea for Christmas. I am getting a lot more movement in my hands and wrists so it's helping my arthritis. If you get color pencils go for a better quality don't get the cheapest ones. Prismacolor I think is the name of good ones, look on amazon. Jo Ann fabrics stores also carry a wide variety of these products.

Even tho' the gel pens are much easier on the hands and wrists, I would not be without my set of colored pencils. I like to shade with them. I got Prang which seems fine, but Prismacolor is supposedly better. I bought one Prismacolor pencil and don't see a difference between it and the Prang. Maybe I'm not discerning enough!

Pipsmom, think about your sister's interests your because there is a coloring book with every theme you can think of. Many are geometric designs like Raven's above, others are plants, animals, fashion, etc., etc. Have fun choosing the gift for sister.

Raven, I'm liking the pens I got from Big Lots. Have you read about colored pencil work getting a white glaze after a while, something about the wax? I haven't thoroughly read up on it, but that might not happen with gel pens.

I don't buy books I print out pages I like. Go to my pinterest page and print them from your computer. I have 3 folders full of coloring pages. One is all kinds and the other is Holidays and then beach things. I have more fun collecting them then coloring them.

Adult coloring pages

Yes indeed I got some from you, I did mention printing from online, I have several I printed and I went and bought some very heavy weight paper which works better with less bleed. I do want to caution about doing a search for free coloring pages, these sites are well known for spreading malware and viruses. Someone here unfortunately got infected. You get more than just coloring pages for free! Lots of the pinterest pages I have gone to link back to the original website so beware of that. I go to the Angie Grace site where she has several free downloads those are safe.

The pencils and crayons are really about the only way to do shading if you are wanting to do that. I need to try a few more with pencils.

Another thing to keep in mind is the point of the pens I have ultra fine and fine point of Bic mark-its. I have lots of sharpies in various points but I don't like how much they bleed. Gel pens don't dry instantly so they can smear if you are not careful, I speak from experience.

I'm going to have to revise my opinion of these coloring books. You are producing some beautiful pieces, I love these designs and colors.

JoAnn, thanks so much for posting your Pinterest pages. I need to get some heavier paper and print some of them, love them.

That`s a beautiful picture, Raven! Love the colors.

Thanks, I have several I have done recently I need to post.

I prefer the Prismacolor pencils. I also have the Crayola and Fine Touch (from Hobby Lobby) but they are just ok. Crayola is my least favorite. I have the Bic Markit pens and like those ok but prefer the pencils.

I have pre-ordered the Outlander coloring book. It should be interesting to color.

I just took pictures of 3 recent works . Christmas balls in glitter gel pens. Next is Blue Butterflies in glitter and metallic gel pens, and last Flower Power done with Bic mark-its.

I love seeing the pictures you have colored, so very pretty and I also like reading about what everyone has colored or bought to color with!

Sue

They are so much prettier in real life, the pictures don't do them justice. Especially the glitter and metallic gel pens. I have 2 more that are in my Angie Grace book. The thing I don't like about the Angie Grace book is the pages are not perforated for easy removal and it's difficult to color with it in the book. I have been putting each finished work in a clear document holder in a 3 ring binder to protect them. I have not determined the best way to get the pages safely out of the Angie Grace book. Every other book I have the pages tear out easily. And I have to say that the paper in the AG book is not as heavy either. But I love her drawings.

I was looking at some art work of a Louisiana artist on his website and saw he has a coloring book for sale too. I got 2 catalogs in the mail yesterday that I have never heard of, no idea why I got them, but both had adult coloring books in them. It's really becoming a very popular hobby. I saw on pinterest one person had framed six of a series of her work in matching frames and had them hanging in 2 rows on the wall and looked great. Like real artwork. By the way if you are looking for coloring books be sure to do a search on eBay there's lots of them and most are free shipping. I saw an Art Nouveau one that is beautiful.

Jamie Hayes Louisiana artist Coloring book

Interesting article on adult coloring.

Article

Those pictures are great and I really like the butterfly one. You do such a good job.

I broke my ankle & fibula in June and these adult coloring books saved me from going bonkers with boredom ( I was non-weight bearing for 6 weeks). Now I have a new addiction (sigh)

Thanks Donna, the blue butterflies one I did in honor of my mom. Soon after her passing I, my sisters and my niece had some very interesting and touching blue butterfly experiences.

Lisa how fortunate for you that you were introduced to the coloring. I first saw the use of coloring as therapy when my mom broke her hip. In the recovery facility they used it to help them relax and focus on something other than their pain and situation they were in. My mom enjoyed it very much even though her hands were twisted and deformed by Rheumatoid arthritis she was able to do some very pretty work. I am glad I decided to give it a try. Interestingly enough as a child I was never really into coloring and was not very good at it either. I feel your addiction pain lol.

I ordered a new book called Mystical Mandala coloring book by Dover coloring book. It has beautiful drawings but unfortunately it's printed front and back of each sheet. Average weight paper. So I will have to print each side on heavy paper. I guess it would be OK with pencils but markers bleed through.

JoAnn, I enjoyed looking at your pinterest pages. I don't have time to color but enjoyed seeing the prints and your boards are very interesting. My last name is Tudor on Pinterest.

Raven, off topic but your comment about having had blue butterfly experiences after your mom passed caught my eye. My family and I have had experiences with yellow butterflies following my husband's passing. It started when one fluttered up and down each row of mourners at his burial. Yellow butterflies are very special to us now.

These recent threads sparked my interest in coloring! I bought a coloring book off of amazon along with some gel pens and colored pencils. This is my first one, done in the gel pens. It's so fun and sparkly in the sun!

Oh that's a beautiful one chi83! Excellent first work. What book did you order, I really like that wreath shape. It is frame worthy!

Pipsmom, how interesting! I certainly understand how that would be significant. I have been amazed at the frequency of the blue butterflies that have been finding their way into our lives since the funeral. I started reading up on the significance and it's very interesting, especially the native American significance. They definitely have a new place in our hearts and lives.

Thanks raven! I have this book http://www.amazon.com/Adult-Coloring-Book-Relieving-Patterns/dp/1941325122

The one I did is my favorite in the book but they have several other ones that are nice too. I might check out some of the other ones the company publishes as the are good quality. Single sided and thick paper.

I couldn't find you on pinterest Marilyn. Maybe I'm not doing it right.