When you open a new coloring book, one of the first questions that comes to mind is often: “What is the best coloring medium to use?” With so many beautiful options colored pencils, markers, crayons, and more, it’s easy to feel unsure about where to begin.

In this gentle guide from BOGIKI, we’ll walk you through the 5 best coloring mediums for coloring books, helping you understand what each medium is, how it works, and why it might be the perfect match for your coloring style. Let’s explore each medium together—slowly, simply, and joyfully—so you can choose the tools that feel right for you and enjoy every soft, calming moment with your coloring pages.

Understanding Coloring Mediums

What Is a Coloring Medium?

A coloring medium is the substance that produces color on your page, such as colored pencils, alcohol markers, acrylic markers, crayons, or water-based markers. It’s more than just a tool; it shapes the appearance, texture, and overall effect of your artwork.

Coloring Medium and Coloring Tools

Coloring Tools: The objects you hold, like pencils, pens, or markers.
Coloring Mediums: The pigment, ink, or wax inside the tool that creates the color on paper.

Two tools may look similar, but different mediums yield dramatically different results.

How Coloring Medium Affects Your Coloring Results

Your choice of medium determines:

Smoothness and texture of color
Brightness, transparency, or opacity
Ability to blend and layer
Adhesion and longevity on paper

Understanding what is a coloring medium helps you make informed choices and achieve the desired effect for each page.

5 Best Coloring Mediums for Coloring Books.

Each of the five coloring mediums below brings a unique feel and effect to your artwork. Understanding their strengths will help you choose the one that best matches your style and the mood you want to create.

1. Alcohol Markers

Alcohol markers are loved for their smooth, vibrant, professional-quality finish. The alcohol-based ink flows effortlessly, creating seamless gradients and rich, layered colors. Perfect for modern, bold artwork, they bring your coloring pages to life with depth and sophistication.

best alcohol markers for coloring books

Great for:

Beginner Colorists: Ideal for experimenting with bold colors without worrying about streaks. Begin with light layers and gradually increase the intensity.
Advanced Artists: Excellent for blending, layering, and creating professional-looking effects. Alcohol markers allow nuanced shading and smooth transitions between hues.
Large Coloring Areas: Quickly fill big sections with vibrant, even color.

Recommended Brands: Ohuhu (Alcohol Marker Lines only) – Affordable and beginner-friendly; Copic – Premium quality, reliable for professional artists; Touch / Arrtx – Smooth flow and consistent colors.

Key Features:

Seamless Blending: Creates smooth gradients without streaking
Layering Capabilities: Transparent ink allows multiple layers for depth
Vibrant, Long-Lasting Colors: Bright and fade-resistant
Fast Drying: Prevents smudging
Paper Compatibility: Best on thick or single-sided pages

2. Acrylic Markers

Acrylic markers provide bold, opaque, and vibrant colors that sit on top of the paper, making your designs pop. They are ideal for adding highlights, decorative details, or creating a layered, textured effect in your artwork.

best acrylic markers for coloring books

Great for:

Artists Seeking Vibrancy: Perfect for making designs bold and eye-catching
Layering and Highlights: Works well over other mediums without dissolving underlying colors
Detailed Illustrations: Ideal for crisp lines, small details, and striking effects

Recommended Brands: Posca – Smooth, highly pigmented, versatile; Arteza – Reliable and affordable; Shuttle Art Acrylic Paint Markers – Strong, bright colors for beginners and pros

Key Features:

Opaque, Vibrant Colors: Strong coverage and bold results
Layer-Friendly: Can layer over colored pencils or markers.
Fade-Resistant: Maintains color intensity over time
Thick Paper Friendly: Works best on sturdy surfaces

3. Colored Pencils

Colored pencils are versatile and accessible, perfect for both beginners and advanced colorists. They allow precision, control, and a range of artistic techniques, including shading, layering, and blending. Lightweight and mess-free, they are ideal for stress-free coloring.

best colored pencils for adult coloring books

Great for:

Beginner Adult Colorists: Easy to control, suitable for slow, mindful coloring. Helps develop dexterity and confidence.
Advanced Adult Colorists: Can be layered and blended to create gradients, depth, and realistic textures.
Travel and Casual Coloring: Portable, no need for setup, and mess-free

Recommended Brands: Prismacolor Scholar – Soft core, excellent for layering and blending; Faber-Castell Polychromos – Durable, oil-based core, vibrant colors; Crayola Colored Pencils – Affordable, beginner-friendly

Key Features:

Great Color Quality: High-pigment cores for vibrant results
Blendable: Soft enough to blend colors without damaging paper
Variety of Shades: Wide color range for creative freedom
Strong Lead: Durable, resists breaking under moderate pressure
Long-Lasting: Colors stay brilliant over time.

4. Crayons

Crayons are soft, nostalgic, and perfect for relaxed, playful coloring. They create gentle, even coverage and are ideal for large areas or casual, stress-free sessions.

best colored pencils for artists

Great for:

Relaxed Coloring: Enjoy a calming, gentle coloring experience
Large Fill Areas: Quick coverage without much effort
Nostalgic or Playful Designs: Evokes childhood creativity and fun

Recommended Brands: Crayola Crayons – Reliable, smooth application; Honeysticks – Eco-friendly, lightly scented, gentle for beginners

Key Features:

Soft Texture: Smooth and easy to apply
Even Coverage: Ideal for large areas
Vibrant but Subtle Colors: Soft and comforting palette
Mess-Free: Beginner-friendly and forgiving

5. Water-Based Markers

Water-based markers are gentle, easy to control, and deliver bright, transparent colors. Perfect for base layers, light washes, or layering with other mediums like colored pencils.

Water based markers for coloring books — Image source: Ohuhu Official Website

Great for:

Beginners: Easy to handle with minimal pressure
Base Layer Coloring: Ideal before adding detailed shading or highlights
Quick Coloring: Fast and effortless for small or medium areas

Recommended Brands: Ohuhu (Water-Based Markers) – Easy to use and gentle on the wallet; Crayola Super Tips – Smooth application, versatile; Stabilo Pen 68 – Precise tip, vibrant colors; Tombow Dual Brush Pens – Blendable, high-quality pigment

Key Features:

Bright, Water-Soluble Colors: Easy to layer and blend
Smooth Flow: Effortless coloring without streaks
Paper Friendly: Works well on thin to medium paper.

Let's bring your beautiful story to life on a BOGIKI page.

Exploring 5 Best Coloring Mediums for Coloring Books is a fun journey, isn't it? But the real magic isn't in the pen, but in the quiet moments you give yourself to immerse yourself in the world of color truly.

At BOGIKI, every coloring book should be a gentle hug for the soul. That's why we don't just create drawings; we weave cozy, lovely, and gentle spaces where you can find a sweet solution to ease life's stresses.

If you're asking yourself, "What are the best coloring books for adults to start with?", BOGIKI invites you to explore our collections. Each book is created with love, especially suited to welcome new friends beginning their coloring journey.

What awaits you in a BOGIKI book?

Marker-Friendly Paper: The paper is carefully selected so you can confidently use your favorite markers, including alcohol-based ones.
Anti-Bleed Design: Each page is single-sided, giving you complete peace of mind to create without affecting the next artwork.
100% Hand-Drawn Art: 40 unique and heartwarming drawings in a compact 8.5x8.5 inch size, perfect to take with you anywhere.

And to make that very first step as joyful and stress-free as possible, we’ve created a special collection designed with the beginner in mind. Our Bold & Easy series is the gentlest introduction to the world of coloring, featuring simple, charming designs with clear lines that let you relax and enjoy the process without any pressure. It’s the perfect place to begin your creative practice.

👉 Come and discover the perfect first book for your journey by exploring the Bold & Easy collection today.

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