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Arts & crafts

Adult colouring books.

(57 Posts)
henetha Tue 13-Oct-15 11:12:51

Have you tried these adult colouring books that are so popular these days? I received a couple, together with nice pens and pencils, for my recent birthday. Amazingly, it's wonderful and very relaxing. I get really caught up in trying to keep inside the lines, and use nice colours.
I happened to mention to a neighbour that I now do adult colouring and he said it sounds pornographic! Well, maybe there are porno ones in the shops, but mine are just flowers and scenery etc. smile

leenan Mon 01-Feb-16 13:03:20

Is it just me that finds the phrase "adult colouring books" a bit odd? Makes it sound like you'd be colouring in all manner of X-rated material. Nothing against the books themselves though

AshleyM Mon 01-Feb-16 12:39:10

I have to say, I prefer the children's pattern books. I've looked at the 'adult colouring books' and they give me a headache just flicking through the pages! They are also too prescriptive for me. I like the freedom to create my own designs from the possibilities rather than just colour in a designated picture of trees or whatever. Each to their own I suppose.

AlgeswifeVal Sun 31-Jan-16 21:19:24

I brought an adult colouring book for my DH as he is house bound. It is very therapeutic. He uses fine tipped colouring pens. They are a brilliant idea.

phizz Sun 31-Jan-16 20:27:39

I used to colour in my children's books when I was stressed when I was getting divorced and found it very therapeutic. Who'd have thought it would become the 'in thing' 40 years on?

I was bought one for Christmas but the pencils are too hard to work properly but I might be tempted back if I had some nicer pens.

maryEJB Sun 31-Jan-16 19:47:00

I used to love colouring when I was a child, but not tried it as an adult (apart from helping grandchildren!) I'd like to try it I think - I'll hint for one for my birthday. I also like ironing but hate most other household chores including cooking.

FarNorth Sun 31-Jan-16 18:05:38

I liked colouring when I was young; I used to colour in the Bunty stories and also some recipe book drawings.
I haven't seen any adult colouring books that I fancy doing, tho. All the ones I've seen seem to be very intricate.

Greenfinch Sun 31-Jan-16 18:03:11

Gosh ! All this enthusiasm .I must be missing something. Will have to give it another go.confused

Elsie10 Sun 31-Jan-16 17:56:34

PS I hate ironing - only do the minimum and then only when the sun is shining into the spare bedroom where I keep the ironing paraphanalia. That said, my new 200 count cotton duvet cover needs ironing !!!!! Colouring is a much better way to spend my time.

Elsie10 Sun 31-Jan-16 17:51:52

I have 2 colouring books - both bought from market stalls at around £2. Bought the best coloured pencils I could find - soft and blendable. I have packed them in my suitcase today to take abroad to visit my aged Mother tomorrow - there will be lots of time for 'relaxation' whilst she has her afternoon nap.

oldie730 Sun 31-Jan-16 17:13:45

These colouring books are addictive!! Thought I was being a bit childish when I first tried one, but find it relaxing and an alternative from doing puzzles and using my Nintendo. I haven't an Iphone so am not addicted to sitting staring at that for hours on end. Try using watercolour pencils for a change. Haven't tried felt tip pens yet.

DianneAngel Sun 31-Jan-16 17:05:48

If your felt tips are bleeding through the back of the page just put a piece of cardboard underneath the page. Cut down a cerial box to the right size. hugs

NanaandGrampy Sun 31-Jan-16 14:19:50

I do one on my iPad called colorfy. As I always have my iPad in my bag I can do a bit as I want. I don't have to worry about not having too steady a hand and can enlarge it if I've forgotten my glasses.

I highly recommend it !

Skweek1 Sun 31-Jan-16 14:12:52

I loathed colouring books as a kid, but have bought one or two recently, just to see if it is as therapeutic as they say. I finished January on the calendar one the day I bought it, and started on Feb, but only did a little before deciding I had other more important things to do! Don't mind a few spare minutes, but more than that I think will prove not for me! But enjoy yourselves, girls and guys!

Greenfinch Sun 31-Jan-16 12:23:19

I love ironing too. It is the only household chore I really enjoy.

Teacher11 Sun 31-Jan-16 12:16:15

I also find ironing very relaxing. My DH and I quarrel over who gets to do it! Bonkers really....

annifrance Sun 31-Jan-16 12:00:30

Thanx for some lovely ideas/info on this thread. I have loads of colouring stuff of whatever media, and some adult colouring books so must get down to it.

I do have a free App on my Kindle Fire called Colourfy, it's great if you have a few minutes. I introduced to my DGS and he became addicted to it!

Shrimp Sun 31-Jan-16 11:24:52

Can't imagine I would like it - I hadn't the patience even at school to 'colour in' carefully, although I used to greatly admire one girl whose efforts were always perfect. I could never work out her technique for such a smooth finish!

EmilyHarburn Sun 31-Jan-16 11:09:35

I am not a fan of colouring in books for adults. I am dyspraxic so keeping inside the lines would be stressful for me. I love Chinese Brush Painting especially Landscape and flowers. This art form encourages you to look at trees, scenery and flowers, to imagine the brush stokes you would use to express them in the most simple form and when at last you do get a free hour to put your imagination to the development of a landscape or flower.

I love poppies. It is great to dip the brush in red and the tip in black and by laying the brush on the paper and rolling it, and lifting it and doing it again to create a poppy. and then another, And then some green for a bud, a stalk a leaf etc.

Land scape takes longer and involves the whole mind in such a way that it is mindful and relaxing.

bikergran Sun 31-Jan-16 10:09:07

I have found that if you use felt tips the colour bleeds through to the pic on the other side of the paper..hence destroying the picture on the other side, I have changed from felt tips to pencil crayons but I prefer the vibrant more solid colours of the felt tips.

Greenfinch Sun 31-Jan-16 09:56:11

Not convinced I'm afraid. I would rather watch paint dry!

ninathenana Sun 31-Jan-16 09:52:56

This is one DD bought me

harrysgran Sun 31-Jan-16 09:43:11

I have three I love them when I'm not at work especially at the weekend I find them a great way to relax and just let my mind wander.

Albangirl14 Sun 31-Jan-16 09:42:31

I bought some colour in Christmas cards at the RHS shop and coloured a few and sent some un coloured to my friends so they could try colouring as a whole page could take ages.

Lindaloulabel Sun 31-Jan-16 09:33:04

Love mine such a nice way to relax....
I love Johanna Basford books Secret Garden,Enchanted Forest and Lost Ocean. I have about 12 books and I take them in turn currently on Game Of Thrones one. I also have a calendar and will start on March as soon as I have finished.
I use an assortment of pens/pencils depends what mood I am in.
As I can't draw to save my life when I look at one of my completed pages I feel quite proud.
It's all good clean fun lol.
smile

sherish Sun 31-Jan-16 08:01:55

I received one as a gift called 'The Secret Garden' and it is a book of postcards to colour. It is was lovely to colour one and send it to the person who bought me the book as a thank you card. It is for sale on Amazon.