Colouring can be a relaxing and creative activity. Beginners buy colouring books to enjoy a break from their daily routines or to try something artistic. But they often get frustrated when their pages don’t turn out the way they imagined. The reason usually isn’t a lack of talent but a few easily avoidable mistakes.
If you’re new to colouring books, knowing what mistakes to avoid can make a big difference. Most beginners press too hard, don’t plan, or use poor-quality tools. These errors affect the final result and take the fun out of the process.
Here, we will walk you through the most common mistakes and give you simple, direct tips to fix them. You don’t need to be a professional artist to enjoy colouring books for beginners. You just need to start out on the right foot.
Let’s look at what most beginners do wrong when it comes to colouring and how to do it right.
Even small mistakes can affect the final look of your colouring. Knowing what mistakes to avoid helps you improve faster.
Many beginners use markers on thin paper and wonder why the ink bleeds. Or they use low-quality pencils that don’t blend well. When starting with art colouring books, always check the paper type. Thicker paper works better with markers. Good pencils and gel pens give smoother results. Brands like Coloring Books Direct offer quality colouring book options designed for beginners, so you can start off strong.
One of the most common but bad habits is pressing down too hard. This can damage the paper and make colours look harsh. The fix is simple: apply colour with a light hand and build up layers slowly. This gives you more control and helps you blend colours more smoothly.
Colours often appear different on paper than they do on the pencil or marker barrel. Beginners usually skip testing their colours and end up using shades that don’t work well together. Always test colours on a spare sheet or in the margins of your colouring book It only takes a few seconds and saves your entire page from mismatched colours.
Flat colouring with no light or shadow is another beginner mistake that makes the picture look one-dimensional. Think about where the light will hit and where shadows would fall. Add lighter shades to the top or centre of a shape, and darker ones around the edges. It makes your colouring more lifelike and adds depth.
Hurrying through a page leads to uneven strokes and missed details. Beginners sometimes rush just to finish. But colouring isn’t a race, so take your time. Slower strokes give you more control and better results, especially on the detailed pages.
Filling an entire shape with just one shade of a single colour often makes it look flat. Instead, try combining two or more shades of the same colour. For example, use light green and dark green to give leaves more texture. Blending colours gives your work more dimensions and makes it look more polished.
A blunt pencil tip makes it hard to colour within the lines, especially in tight spaces. It also prevents clean shading. Keep your pencils sharp so you can work on fine details. It’s a small habit that leads to a big improvement in quality.
Beginners often change directions while colouring. Vertical lines in one area and circles in another can make the whole design look uneven. Try to stick to one stroke direction for each section. This keeps the texture smooth and the colouring more uniform.
Going over the same area again and again can wear down the paper. This leads to holes, rough textures, or unwanted smudging. If an area doesn’t look right, move on and come back to it later. Using soft layers instead of heavy pressure also helps preserve the page.
Highly detailed patterns, like those in advanced adult mandala colouring books can overwhelm beginners. Starting with pages that are too complicated leads to frustration. Begin with simple shapes and patterns. Once you’re more comfortable, you can move on to more complex designs.
Many beginners get discouraged if their first few pages don’t turn out perfectly. That’s normal. No one gets everything right on day one. The key is to keep practicing. Each page teaches you something. Stick with it, and you’ll improve quickly.
It’s helpful to look at how others colour the same page, but copying every shade can limit your creativity. Use others’ work as a guide, not a rulebook. Try your own combinations and build your personal style over time.
Trying to make every page flawless adds pressure and takes the joy out of colouring. Mistakes happen, and they don’t ruin the page. In fact, they often teach you more than a perfect piece ever will. Focus on enjoying the process, not just the outcome.
Colouring is supposed to be relaxing, not stressful. If you’ve made some of these mistakes, you’re not alone. Every beginner does. The important thing is learning how to spot them and fix them early. Simple changes—like using the right paper, planning your colours, or slowing down—can make a big difference. These tips will help you create better pages and enjoy the process more. Don’t worry about being perfect. Focus on progress. With the right tools and habits, you’ll start to see real improvement. And if you’re looking for high-quality colouring books that are beginner-friendly, check out Coloring Books Direct. Pick a book, grab your pencils, and enjoy every moment of colouring with more skill and confidence.