Adult coloring books can be a great way to de-stress and unwind after a long day. The act of coloring can help to relax the mind and body, and provide a sense of calm and relaxation. Coloring can also be a form of self-care, and can help to improve mood and well-being.
Adult coloring books can also be used as a form of art therapy. Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses art as a means of communication and expression. Art therapy can help to improve mood, reduce stress and anxiety, and promote self-expression.
The Pros and Cons of Using Gel Pens in Your Adult Coloring Books
Gel pens are becoming increasingly popular for use in adult coloring books. They offer many benefits, including the ability to produce fine lines and detailed illustrations. However, there are also some drawbacks to using gel pens in your coloring book. Here are some pros and cons of using gel pens in your adult coloring books:
Pros of Using Gel Pens in Adult Coloring Books
- Gel pens can produce fine lines and detailed illustrations. This can be helpful if you want to create a sophisticated look in your coloring book. Blending with gel pens is also a possibility, but this technique does take some practice.
- They allow for a great deal of control. This can be helpful if you are new to adult coloring books.
- Gel pens are non-toxic and safe for use by adults and children. This is important if you are a parent who often shares supplies or views coloring as a family activity.
- Gel pens provide unique looks when combined with other art mediums. White gel pens are often used to add highlights to pages done in colored pencil. Combining gel pens with highlighters can give you a bold look.
Cons of Using Gel Pens in Adult Coloring Books
- Gel pens may bleed through the pages of your coloring book. Gel pens should not bleed through most adult coloring books. However, poor-quality books with very thin paper might experience some bleed through with darker colors.
- Smearing can sometimes be an issue. Smearing is a brand-related issue. Gel pen brands that use a fast drying ink won’t smear. However, brands that use a wetter ink that takes a bit longer to dry, such as Sakura Gelly Roll pens, may create problems with unsightly smears and smudges if you’re not careful.
- If you’re heavy-handed when coloring, ghosting might be a problem. This refers to a faint outline of what you’ve colored showing through the paper. Try using less pressure to see if it corrects the problem.
- Gel pens can be tricky to use when you’re left-handed. Left-handed people tend to have more problems with smearing and smudging ink than right-handed people. If you’re left-handed, try rotating your coloring page as you work so your hand isn’t accidentally touching areas that aren’t entirely dry.
What Color Range Do Gel Pens Offer?
Gel pens come in an almost endless variety of colors. For example, Shuttle Art’s set of 120 gel pens contains a rainbow of classic colors, as well as pastel, neon, metallic, and glitter pens. This lets you create a wide range of effects in your favorite adult coloring books, many of which aren’t possible to duplicate using colored pencils or markers.
Most gel pens have a clear barrel that lets you see what color of ink you are using. However, many people like to create color swatches on test sheets so they can see precisely what a pen color will look like on their finished page.
Consider using a free color combination chart to keep track of which color combos you like best. Implementing a chart system to track color combos is particularly useful if you’re mixing and matching gel pens from different brands.
What to Consider When Buying Gel Pens for Your Adult Coloring Books
If you are planning on purchasing gel pens for your adult coloring books, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Here are some factors to consider when buying gel pens for your coloring book:
- The type of paper you will be using. Gel pens work best on smooth, non-textured papers. If you plan on using gel pens on textured or rough papers, you may want to consider another type of pen.
- The type of illustrations you plan on creating. Gel pens are great for detailed illustrations and fine lines. If you plan on coloring large areas or using bold colors, you may want to consider another type of pen.
- Your budget. Gel pens are very affordable, but the price varies significantly among brands. If you’re on a tight budget, plan to do some comparison shopping.
How to Make Your Gel Pens Last Longer
Gel pens won’t last as long as standard ballpoint pens because of the type of ink that is being used. Ballpoint pens use paste ink in an alcohol solvent. Gel pens suspend pigment in a water-based gel.
To make your gel pens last longer, always remember to put the cap on tightly after use. Otherwise, the ink will dry out.
Gel ink pens can be stored horizontally or vertically. However, if you store your pens vertically, you should be careful not to drop them abruptly into your pen cup. Jarring the pen can create tiny air bubbles that will make the ink skip when you try to color.
If you have a gel pen that has dried out because it hasn’t been used in quite some time, try holding it near the steam from a tea kettle for a few minutes. The steam will often be able to loosen the dried ink. (Just be careful not to burn yourself!)
