(Photos: my Ohuhu alcohol marker sets and Prisma Premier pencils in a colouring workshop I hosted, my Faber Castell Polychromos set and some colouring pages I did)

Adult colouring has blossomed into a creative movement over the past decade, bringing together mindfulness, creativity, art skills, and self-expression since Johanna Basford first helped make it popular. Whether you pick up your markers and pencils for relaxation or to create art you are proud to display, the choices can sometimes feel overwhelming, from the type of colouring book to the supplies you use.

Let’s break down the essentials, so you can choose what works best for you.

Popular Styles of Colouring Books

1. Intricate & Detailed

• What it’s like: These books are filled with fine lines, elaborate patterns, and illustrations that often feel like stepping into another world. Many feature story-like themes: enchanted forests, mythical creatures, or cityscapes that pull you in with detail after detail.

• Examples: Sierra Truong's Sacred Presence and Earthsong; Johanna Basford’s Secret Garden and World of Flowers, Kerby Rosanes’ Mythomorphia and Geomorphia.

• Why people love them: They are perfect for anyone who enjoys focus, patience, and the meditative rhythm of colouring small spaces. You can spread one illustration over several sessions, sometimes days or weeks, letting the process become almost like journaling through colour.

• Things to keep in mind: They require patience and a willingness to slow down. If you like instant results, this style can sometimes feel intense or overwhelming.

2. Bold & Easy

• What it’s like: With simpler lines, larger spaces, and less intricate patterns, these designs are approachable and playful. They’re great for anyone who wants to enjoy colouring without the pressure of tiny details.

• Examples: Sierra Truong's Slow Living: In Rhythm with Nature; Jade Summer’s large-print books.

• Why people love them: They are beginner-friendly and work well for quick colouring sessions. You don’t need to commit days at a time. They’re also excellent for people with vision difficulties or those who just want a relaxing, stress-free experience.

• Creative twist: Even though the designs are simpler, you can still take them further by adding your own doodles and details to personalise the page.

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1. Traditional Publishing

• Examples: Johanna Basford (Penguin), Millie Marotta (Animal Kingdom).

• Upside: Professionally printed, often with luxurious covers and high-quality paper.

• Downside: Traditionally published colouring books have sparked criticism for prioritising mainstream “safe” styles over diversity in art. Many smaller, innovative creators have found it harder to break into the traditional space.

2. Indie Artist–Published (Direct or Small-Batch)

• Examples: Sarah Renae Clark, artist & youtuber, creates and sells her book directly through her website.

• Upside: Supports creators directly; books often come with premium paper that handles markers well.

• Downside: Higher price point, sometimes limited runs.

3. Indie Print-on-Demand (Amazon, etc.)

• Examples: Sierra Truong, R.J. Hampson, and many other indie authors on Amazon. 

• Upside: Affordable, easy to access worldwide, huge variety of themes.

• Downside: Standard Amazon paper is thinner; colours may bleed through. There’s also been controversy with brands like CocoWyo, accused by the colouring community of copying designs from smaller artists and reselling them. If supporting originality matters to you, research the artist or brand before buying.

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How to Find Great Indie Colouring Books on Amazon (and Spot AI-Generated or Low-Quality Books)

Amazon has an enormous selection of colouring books, but not all are created equal. To find high-quality indie books and avoid low-effort or AI-generated designs, a little strategy goes a long way.

Focus on books where the artist is clearly credited, check their profile and social media, and look for unique, hand-drawn styles rather than generic patterns.

Tips to Keep in Mind:

• Look for books where the artist has a profile page on Amazon, or a website and active social media presence.

• Preview the pages to ensure the illustrations feel original, detailed, and thoughtfully designed.

• Be cautious with relying solely on reviews. New releases may have few or no reviews, so quality isn’t always reflected there.

• Avoid books with repetitive, overly simplistic patterns that lack artistic flair.

• Check that the cover and interior illustrations match. AI-generated covers sometimes look “too perfect” or slightly unnatural compared to the inside pages.

• Support small artists by purchasing directly through their links whenever possible.

Art Supplies: Choosing the Right Fit

If you are in New Zealand, here are a few places to consider when looking for high-quality art supplies:

• Moon Art NZ: for all the Ohuhu products. Use code INNERBEAUTY4JH7 for 5% discount.
• Ribbon Rose
• Gordon Harris

(Photos: Ohuhu markers & Copic markers, my colouring page, Polychromos pencils set and Prisma set)

What I currently use everyday for my colouring: Ohuhu alcohol markers (320 set, and 96 pastel set), Prismacolor Premier set and Faber Castell Polychromos set. I also own a cheap acrylic markers set and some white and gold gel pens for highlighting.

1. Alcohol Markers

• Popular brands: Ohuhu, Copic...

• Best for: Smooth blends that create a similar effect to watercolour.

• Tips: Use alcohol markers only. Or Use alcohol markers as a base layer, then build depth with coloured pencils on top. Always place a blotting sheet behind your page to protect the next design.

Copic Alcohol Markers

Alcohol Markers Grading Chart

2. Acrylic Markers

• Popular brands: Posca, Arteza.

• Best for: Bold, opaque coverage and vibrant designs.

• Tips: Use acrylic markers on their own. Or Use acrylic markers on top of a base layer of alcohol markers.

3. Coloured Pencils

• Popular brands: Prismacolor, Faber-Castell Polychromos

• Best for: Shading, layering, soft blending.

• Tips: Keep your pencils sharp, and build layers softly and lightly. With Prismacolor, you can burnish for a more vibrant effect, while Polychromos work beautifully for building delicate, gradual layers.
  

I’m going to break down Prismacolor and Polychromos in detail so you can easily figure out which one suits you best. I have been using both for years and know them pretty well, but keep in mind these are just my personal opinions.

Prismacolor Premier Coloured Pencils

• Blendability: A (very smooth and creamy, easy to blend, but soft cores can wax-bloom with heavy layering)

• Vibrancy: A+ (bright, bold colours that really pop on the page)

• Layering: B (good for layering, but too many layers can cause wax bloom)

• Durability: C (soft cores break very easily and require careful sharpening. A solution for this is to use Prisma pencil sharpener on these pencils only)

• Price/Value: B+ (Although they seem affordable, the pencils break easily, which can make them expensive to replace frequently)

• Overall Grade: B+

Faber-Castell Polychromos Coloured Pencils

• Blendability: A (controlled and precise blending, ideal for detailed work)

• Vibrancy: A (rich and slightly subtler tones, perfect for realistic colouring)

• Layering: A+ (excellent for multiple layers without wax bloom)

• Durability: A (hard, strong cores that maintain a sharp point)

• Price/Value: B+ (high price, but professional-quality performance)

• Overall Grade: A

Coloured Pencils Grading Chart