Adult coloring book – A colorful new trend for more relaxation in everyday life

If you're hearing about this for the first time today, you're probably thinking, "What's that all about? Coloring books are for kids ." However, this mega-trend from Scotland has long since arrived here and is winning over many users who want to reduce stress or simply bring some peace and quiet into their lives.

Adult coloring books are popular across all demographics. More and more adults are discovering the joy of coloring pre-made drawings . Thanks to the huge selection of adult coloring books available, there's no need to use your children's coloring books anymore.

Origin of Adult Coloring Books

Adult coloring books have become a true phenomenon in recent years, and a key factor in this trend is the Scottish textile designer Johanna Basford . With her first work, "Secret Garden," published 2013 , she succeeded in unleashing a wave of creative expression. Considered by many to be a work of art, this book captured people's hearts and became an absolute bestseller, selling over 1.5 million copies.

The fascination with Basford's work isn't limited to her native Scotland. Her first three coloring books have also enjoyed enormous popularity in Germany, encouraging countless adults to pick up their pencils and unleash their creativity. Basford's illustrations are more than just black and white patterns; they are inviting landscapes and imaginative scenarios that inspire dreaming and discovery.

In her fourth book , "Enchanted Forest," we find another source of inspiration: the life and breathtaking nature of the Scottish Highlands. Here, she creates a sense of the unspoiled beauty of this region by capturing its unique flora and fauna, as well as its mystical landscapes. The pages of this coloring book invite readers to embark on a visual journey of discovery while simultaneously leaving the stresses of everyday life behind.

Basford's works not only embody a return to handicrafts and creativity , but they also foster mindfulness and relaxation through the active creative process of coloring. It is this special ability to bring people together and offer them a space for self-expression that has made Johanna Basford and her coloring books a crucial part of modern culture.

In a world increasingly dominated by digital distractions, her books offer a wonderful escape – an invitation back to the simple pleasures of life.

Why do adults also use coloring books?

In today's fast-paced world, most people experience a lot of stress and have often forgotten how, or have little opportunity, to truly switch off and let go. Demands are constantly increasing, and it is becoming ever more difficult to "find peace .

The stressful everyday life, high pressure in the working world and also the increasing demands on ourselves cause us to push the important things in life into the background.

We need to relearn how to be more considerate of ourselves and listen to our bodies. It's very important to reduce the constant flow of information we're exposed to daily, or to create "free time" for ourselves. Painting doesn't demand performance. The body can "wind down"—there's no time pressure or performance anxiety— painting should simply be fun .

Coloring in various motifs, such as landscapes or animals, can achieve a pleasant state of relaxation from which we can draw new energy.

Years ago, the interns at the municipal media center of Salzgitter produced a film about the phenomenon of "adult coloring books" :

There are many different themes for coloring books

There are countless themes for adult coloring books. Depending on interests, preferences, or hobbies, everyone has the opportunity to choose according to their own needs:

• Floral coloring pages (flower patterns)
• Wildlife
• Cities & Countries
• Artists and artworks
• Tattoo Designs
• Marine life and sea creatures
• Mandalas
• Nature

Mandalas for adults

Mandalas are among the most popular coloring pages because they have a particularly calming and relaxing effect. Mandalas originate from Buddhism, where they hold religious and spiritual significance. The term mandala means circle or round. A mandala has round and symmetrical shapes – everything is oriented towards a central point.

Coloring a mandala requires special concentration and promotes imagination – it puts us in a balanced state.

Mandalas have a special effect on people. Their calming atmosphere creates a state of relaxation.

In addition to the various coloring pages for normal coloring, there is also the well-known "paint by numbers" for adults .

Paint by numbers

In paint-by-numbers, pre-existing areas are painted according to numbers. The image is already predetermined, specifying which colors to use – that is, which color is to be used for which area is indicated by numbers.

The "paint by numbers" trend originated in the USA – this form of painting has been around in Germany for over 40 years. Its inventor, Schipper, succeeded in setting a trend that is often described as art, since complex pictures can be created from individual drawings. The quality of these paintings is usually very high. Many paintings don't even look like they were created using the "paint by numbers" technique.

The appeal of paint by numbers

by numbers allows everyone to express their creativity and escape from everyday life. The joy of painting, even for those who aren't particularly talented, is guaranteed with paint by numbers, as a small work of art is always created. Likewise, many a hobby artist discovers their talent and learns about new facets and abilities they never knew they possessed.

Benefits of coloring books for adults and seniors

The focus here is primarily on mandalas.

Painting promotes motor skills

Painting can improve hand-eye coordination. It also contributes to dexterity, grip control, and concentration. The development of motor skills is also crucial for adults to manage everyday activities independently, and painting offers an excellent way to support this process.

Painting supports social interaction

Painting can be a wonderful group activity, allowing both young adults and seniors to build and maintain social connections with friends, family members, and caregivers. Whether in a painting group or painting together with friends, children, or grandchildren, this simple pastime unites people of all ages and backgrounds.

Since social interaction is essential for physical and mental well-being, painting can also help lonely seniors to lift their spirits and improve their overall well-being.

Painting relieves stress

Painting is a stimulating activity that offers similar benefits to meditation. It calms the mind and focuses attention on the present moment, which can help let go of negative thoughts and reduce everyday stress. Painting also reduces stress in older adults with dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

Painting can be a particularly helpful way for seniors with dementia or Alzheimer's disease to reduce the restlessness that often accompanies their condition. The opportunity to paint freely, without relying on memory or following specific steps, can help minimize the distressing impact of dementia or Alzheimer's on older adults around them. At the same time, painting can also provide an excellent opportunity to stimulate memory.

Painting promotes creativity and expression

Coloring offers people of all ages an ideal platform to express their artistic talents and further develop their creative thinking skills. When coloring, we enjoy creative freedom because we don't have to follow any fixed guidelines or rules.

The wide variety of colors and designs allows us to follow our own wishes and create works we can be proud of.

Coloring provides a sense of accomplishment

One of the problems that can contribute to poor mental health in adults is monotony or boredom. Coloring stimulates mental activity and focuses the brain on a specific goal. It improves both concentration and problem-solving skills and provides a tangible representation of a completed project.

Painting can take place anywhere

A major advantage of painting is that it doesn't require a fixed location – it can be practiced anywhere. This can be particularly beneficial for people with limited mobility, such as those receiving home care. Furthermore, modern technologies have led to the development of digital coloring pages for older adults, where users can adjust the size and resolution for easier viewing.

Such tools offer a great alternative to traditional coloring books for older people with declining eyesight.

How do I get started and what do I need to pay attention to?

Since coloring books are quite inexpensive, you don't have to spend a lot of time searching for the right one. To get started, simply order a theme that interests you and is easy to learn – and get going. You can't go wrong.

You can experiment without spending a fortune. You'll quickly discover which type of coloring book suits you best and which designs appeal to you. Again, don't put pressure on yourself – it should simply be fun.

The question of the right pens

When choosing colored pencils, you can simply experiment to get started (felt-tip pens, wax crayons, artist-quality colored pencils, fineliners). However, the best starting materials are colored pencils and a good sharpener. When buying new pencils, you should choose high-quality products to achieve good drawing results.

Generally speaking, you should consider the difficulty level of the coloring book when choosing colored pencils. That is, thin colored pencils for intricate mandalas – thick colored pencils for larger areas.

Here are some basic considerations about colored pencils:

1. The brand plays a significant role – often it is the deciding factor in whether it makes sense to keep a painting tool or pass it on to your preschooler.
2. Determine your color preferences – First, you should figure out your color preferences and get the tools that best suit them. It's perfectly fine to use your children's crayons. We primarily recommend artist-quality materials, but I myself occasionally use my niece's washable crayons when I want to achieve a transparent finish.
3. Dry media versus wet media – understand the difference! Wet media (like markers and gel pens) can bleed. Test your paper, use dividers between pages, and be careful with books that have blank back covers. Dry media are ideal for books with images that lie spine to spine and where there are no issues with bleeding.
4. Package size – It's not necessary to buy the largest color range of anything. I think the 24-pack is an excellent choice if you're on a budget. This way, you get a few shades of each color as well as some neutrals.
5. Don't be afraid to mix – different painting tools produce different textures and results – combine them in one image to create additional texture.

01 Colored pencils with a soft core

The main difference between Crayola pencils and a high-quality artist's pencil lies in their softer interior. Specifically, this means the inside is softer. Yes, this makes them more prone to breakage, but it also allows you to layer and blend colors, creating vibrant, intense hues.

02 Alcohol markers / Double-ended felt-tip pens

These markers are somewhat more expensive, but offer significant advantages. They penetrate the paper surface less than water-based markers and allow for excellent blending without damaging the paper. When used correctly, you can achieve results comparable to professional illustrations – intense colors and smooth transitions.

Alcohol markers typically come with two tips – a wider one for filling in areas and a finer one for details. Many of these markers are refillable, so you can easily replace your favorite color, making them a sustainable investment.

Gel pencils

Oh, I wish I'd discovered these adult art supplies sooner. Gel pens really do offer everything: they blend amazingly easily and come in countless textures and styles that are unavailable in ANY other medium (glitter, metallic tones, delicate pastel shades, transparent as well as opaque colors...).

Moreover, they are inexpensive. It's very easy to learn how to use gel pens like a pro.

However, they can sometimes smudge. So if you're a bit clumsy, this could be a problem. Also, they wear out surprisingly quickly, which can mean you have to use a large quantity, thus diminishing the overall "cost-effective" aspect (so if you spot a good deal on a large set of paints, you might want to grab it).

Has your interest in something new been sparked? – then get started!

Painting is a wonderful hobby for young and old . The balanced state achieved through painting allows you to draw new strength – you start other areas of life with renewed energy.