You've got a new colouring book, you've cleared the kitchen table, and now you're staring at a wall of pencils in the shop wondering whether you need 12 colours or 120. If that sounds familiar, this guide is for you.
The good news is that you don't need expensive kit to enjoy colouring. A decent set of pencils, a bit of patience and a couple of simple techniques will get you a long way.
Why pencils are the best place to start
There are lots of ways to colour: pencils, fineliners, felt tips, watercolour pencils and alcohol markers. For most beginners, coloured pencils are the best starting point because they're:
- Forgiving. You can build colour up slowly and lighten mistakes.
- Controllable. Great for fine detail like windows, brickwork and railings.
- Clean and portable. No drying time, no bleed-through, no mess.
- Affordable. A good starter set costs less than a takeaway coffee and cake.
Wax-based vs oil-based pencils
Most coloured pencils have either a wax-based or an oil-based core.
Wax-based pencils are the most common. They're soft, lay down colour easily and blend well. The only quirk is "wax bloom", a slight hazy film that can appear when you press very hard. A gentle wipe with a tissue usually sorts it.
Oil-based pencils tend to be a little harder, hold a sharper point and are good for crisp detail and layering. They're usually more expensive.
For beginners, either is fine. Pick a set that feels nice in your hand and go from there.
How many colours do you actually need?
Less than you might think. Here's a rough guide:
- 10 to 12 colours: plenty to get started. You can create extra shades by layering one colour over another.
- 20 to 24 colours: the sweet spot for most people. You'll have a few greens, blues and browns, which matter a lot for skies, trees and buildings.
- 48 colours and up: lovely to have, but not essential. Many experienced colourers still reach for the same dozen pencils most of the time.
If you're colouring architecture, as you do in our books, a good range of greys, browns and muted tones makes a bigger difference than having twelve shades of pink.
Simple techniques that make a big difference
Use light pressure first
Start soft and build up. Pressing hard straight away fills the paper's texture and makes it difficult to add more layers later.
Layer your colours
Put a light layer of one colour down, then go over it with another. Yellow under green makes leaves glow. A touch of blue over grey gives stonework a cool, realistic shadow.
Pick a light direction
Decide where the sun is coming from before you start. Keep the sides of buildings facing it lighter, and the opposite sides darker. It's the quickest way to make a flat drawing look three-dimensional.
Colour in small circles
Tiny overlapping circles give smoother coverage than back-and-forth lines, especially for skies and large walls.
Blend and burnish at the end
Once you're happy, a white or colourless pencil pressed firmly over the top blends layers together and gives a smooth, polished finish.
Don't forget the paper
Your pencils are only half the story. Thin paper pills, tears and lets colour show through. That's why our books are printed on heavyweight 160gsm paper and wire-bound so they lie completely flat, giving you a steady surface for detailed work. If you'd like to try fineliners or markers too, test them on a small corner or the back of a page first.
Our colouring pencil sets
We put together two simple pencil sets to pair with our books:
- 10-pack colouring pencils (£4.99): a ready-to-go starter set.
- 20-pack colouring pencils (£7.99): a fuller range for more detailed and varied colouring.
Pair a set with one of our hand-drawn books of British towns and cities and you've got everything you need for a quiet evening, or a ready-made gift.
The most important tip
There's no wrong way to colour. Purple skies, pink castles and a lime green cathedral are all completely allowed. The point is to slow down and enjoy it. If you'd like to read more about why it works, see why architectural colouring is so relaxing for adults.
