The Ultimate Guide to Coloring Tools and Materials

Walk into any art supply store, and you'll face a dizzying array of coloring tools. Colored pencils in sets of 12, 24, 72, or even 150. Markers that promise to blend like butter. Gel pens that sparkle and shine. It's enough to make your head spin and your wallet weep. So let's cut through the confusion and talk about what really matters when choosing your coloring tools.

Here's the truth: the "best" coloring tool is the one you'll actually use. That said, understanding the unique properties of different mediums can help you achieve the effects you want and discover new creative possibilities. Think of this guide as your friendly neighborhood art supply expert, minus the intimidating art school jargon.

Colored Pencils: The Versatile Workhorses

Colored pencils are like the Swiss Army knife of coloring tools—versatile, reliable, and perfect for both beginners and advanced colorists. But not all colored pencils are created equal. Let's break down what you need to know.

Wax-Based vs. Oil-Based: The Great Debate

Colored pencils come in two main types: wax-based and oil-based. Wax-based pencils (like Crayola, Prismacolor, or Faber-Castell Polychromos) are softer and creamier. They blend beautifully and lay down color easily. The downside? They can develop "wax bloom"—a cloudy film that appears on heavily colored areas. Don't panic if this happens; you can just wipe it off with a soft cloth.

Oil-based pencils (like Faber-Castell Polychromos or Caran d'Ache Pablo) are harder and more precise. They're perfect for fine details and don't get wax bloom. They're also more lightfast, meaning your finished pieces won't fade as quickly. The trade-off? They're harder to blend and require more pressure to get vibrant color.

So which should you choose? If you love smooth blending and rich color, go wax-based. If you prefer precision and durability, choose oil-based. Or do what many colorists do: use both! Wax-based for large areas and blending, oil-based for details.

The Magic Number: How Many Colors Do You Need?

Here's a secret: you don't need 150 colors to create beautiful work. A good set of 24-36 colors gives you plenty of variety and room to experiment. More colors can actually be overwhelming when you're starting out. It's like having too many options at a restaurant—sometimes it's easier to choose from a smaller menu.

That said, if you fall in love with coloring and want to expand your collection, go for it! Just know that you can create amazing work with a basic set. The skill is in how you use the colors, not how many you have.

Pro Tips for Colored Pencil Success

Keep them sharp! A sharp pencil gives you control and precision. Invest in a good quality sharpener—it makes a huge difference. Layer your colors gradually. Start light and build up. It's much easier to add more color than to remove it. Use circular motions for smooth, even coverage. Back-and-forth strokes can leave visible lines.

And here's a game-changer: colorless blender pencils. These magical tools smooth out your colored pencil work, blending colors together and filling in the paper's texture. They're like Photoshop's blur tool, but for real life.

Markers: Bold, Bright, and Beautiful

If colored pencils are the careful, methodical friend, markers are the bold, confident one. They lay down vibrant color quickly and easily. But they also require a bit more planning and confidence—there's no erasing a marker mistake!

Alcohol-Based vs. Water-Based: Know Your Markers

Alcohol-based markers (like Copic, Ohuhu, or Spectrum Noir) are the premium option. They blend seamlessly, don't warp paper, and create smooth gradients. They're refillable and have replaceable nibs, making them a good long-term investment. The downside? They're expensive and can bleed through thin paper.

Water-based markers (like Crayola or most kids' markers) are more affordable and widely available. They're great for bold, flat color. The trade-offs? They can warp paper, don't blend as smoothly, and may bleed through. But for casual coloring or if you're on a budget, they work perfectly fine.

Brush Tips vs. Chisel Tips vs. Fine Tips

Markers come with different tip shapes, and each has its superpower. Brush tips are flexible and perfect for both broad strokes and fine lines. They're like having a paintbrush in marker form. Chisel tips have a flat, angled edge great for filling large areas quickly and creating varied line widths. Fine tips are perfect for details and precise work.

Many markers are double-ended with different tips on each end. This is super convenient—you get two tools in one!

The Blending Game

Here's where markers really shine: blending. With alcohol-based markers, you can create gorgeous gradients by working while the ink is still wet. Start with your lighter color, then add the darker color while the first is still damp. The colors will blend together beautifully. You can also use a colorless blender marker to smooth transitions.

Pro tip: work quickly! Alcohol-based markers dry fast, so you need to blend while they're still wet. It's a bit like a race against time, which adds an exciting element to your coloring.

Gel Pens: The Detail Masters

Don't underestimate gel pens! These little powerhouses are perfect for adding details, highlights, and special effects to your coloring. They're like the sprinkles on your coloring sundae—not necessary, but they make everything more fun.

White Gel Pens: Your Secret Weapon

A white gel pen is possibly the most transformative tool in your coloring arsenal. Use it to add highlights after you've finished coloring—sparkles in eyes, light reflections, stars in a night sky. It instantly makes your coloring look more professional and dimensional.

The trick with white gel pens is to use them sparingly. A few strategic highlights have much more impact than covering everything in white. Think of it like salt in cooking—a little enhances everything, too much ruins it.

Metallic and Glitter Gel Pens

These are pure fun. Metallic gel pens add a sophisticated shimmer, perfect for jewelry, crowns, or magical elements. Glitter gel pens are more playful and sparkly. Both work beautifully over colored pencil or marker, adding a finishing touch that catches the light.

Fair warning: glitter gel pens can be a bit scratchy and may skip. But when they work, they're magical. It's worth the occasional frustration for that sparkle factor.

The Underdogs: Other Amazing Coloring Tools

Crayons: Not Just for Kids

Modern crayons have come a long way from the waxy sticks of your childhood. Brands like Caran d'Ache offer professional-quality crayons that blend beautifully and create rich, vibrant color. They're perfect for bold, expressive coloring and have a lovely, tactile quality.

The best part about crayons? They're incredibly forgiving. You can layer them, blend them with your finger, and create interesting textures. Plus, there's something wonderfully nostalgic about coloring with crayons as an adult.

Watercolor Pencils: The Best of Both Worlds

Watercolor pencils are colored pencils that become watercolor paint when you add water. Use them dry for regular colored pencil effects, or add water with a brush to create soft, painterly washes. They're perfect for creating atmospheric effects and gentle gradients.

The learning curve is a bit steeper with watercolor pencils, but the effects you can achieve are stunning. They're especially beautiful for nature scenes, skies, and anything where you want a soft, dreamy quality.

Brush Pens: Calligraphy Meets Coloring

Brush pens have a flexible brush tip that responds to pressure, creating varied line widths. They're perfect for adding dynamic, expressive elements to your coloring. While they're primarily designed for lettering and calligraphy, creative colorists use them for all sorts of effects.

Paper Matters: The Foundation of Great Coloring

Here's something many beginners don't realize: paper quality matters just as much as your coloring tools. The right paper can make mediocre tools look great, while the wrong paper can make expensive tools perform poorly.

Paper Weight and Thickness

Paper weight is measured in pounds (lb) or grams per square meter (gsm). For coloring, you want at least 80lb (120gsm) paper. Anything thinner will likely bleed through with markers and may buckle with heavy coloring.

Our coloring cards are designed with the perfect paper weight to handle all mediums—colored pencils, markers, gel pens, even light watercolor. We've done the testing so you don't have to!

Paper Texture: Smooth vs. Textured

Smooth paper (often called "hot press") is perfect for markers and gel pens. The smooth surface allows for even color application and prevents bleeding. Slightly textured paper (called "cold press" or "vellum") is better for colored pencils—the texture gives the pencil something to grip, allowing for richer color and better blending.

Building Your Coloring Tool Collection: A Practical Approach

You don't need to buy everything at once. Here's a sensible approach to building your collection:

The Starter Kit

Begin with a basic set of 24 colored pencils (wax-based for easier blending), a white gel pen for highlights, and maybe a black fine-tip marker for details. This simple kit will let you create beautiful work while you figure out what you enjoy.

The Intermediate Expansion

Once you're hooked (and you will be), add a set of alcohol-based markers in basic colors, some metallic gel pens, and maybe a colorless blender pencil. This gives you more options for different effects and techniques.

The Advanced Arsenal

As you develop your style, you'll naturally gravitate toward certain tools. Maybe you fall in love with the precision of oil-based pencils. Maybe markers become your go-to. Invest in higher-quality versions of the tools you use most, and experiment with specialty items like watercolor pencils or brush pens.

Mixing Mediums: Where the Magic Happens

Here's where things get really fun: you don't have to choose just one medium. Some of the most stunning coloring comes from combining different tools. Try these combinations:

Markers for base color + colored pencils for details and shading. This gives you the vibrant color of markers with the precision and subtlety of pencils. Colored pencils for everything + gel pens for highlights and special effects. The gel pens add that extra pop that makes your work stand out. Watercolor pencils for soft backgrounds + regular colored pencils for detailed foregrounds. This creates beautiful depth and dimension.

Care and Maintenance: Making Your Tools Last

Good tools are an investment, so take care of them! Store colored pencils tip-up to prevent breakage. Keep markers horizontal to ensure even ink distribution. Clean gel pen tips occasionally by scribbling on scrap paper. Replace marker caps immediately—dried-out markers are sad markers.

The Most Important Tool: Your Creativity

Here's the truth: while quality tools can enhance your coloring experience, they can't create art for you. The most important tool is your creativity, experimentation, and willingness to play. Some of the most beautiful coloring I've seen was done with basic supplies and lots of heart.

So yes, invest in good tools when you can. But don't let lack of fancy supplies stop you from coloring. Start with what you have, experiment, learn what you like, and build your collection gradually. The joy of coloring isn't in having the most expensive tools—it's in the peaceful, creative act of putting color to paper, whatever tools you're using.

Now go forth and color! Your perfect tool is waiting for you—and it might just be the one already in your hand.