Alcohol markers are wonderful for adults to color with because they create a gorgeous streak-free finish. They do have a bit of a learning curve though, so here are a few tips that will help you use alcohol markers on your coloring books for grown-ups.
Alcohol markers are wonderful for adults to color with because they create a gorgeous streak-free finish. They do have a bit of a learning curve though, so here are a few tips that will help you use alcohol markers on your coloring books for grown-ups.
What are alcohol markers?
Alcohol markers like those by Ohuhu are literally made with alcohol. They dry fast and leave no streaks. I try to buy the brush/fine tip combo, but the chisel/fine works too.
3 Tips to Use Alcohol Markers
How to blend colors. You can blend alcohol markers by using the brush tip and creating a colored area and when it is still wet, switch to a lighter color and color below or next to it. Then using the lighter marker color over the dark edge that meets the light and it will blend if still wet.
How to create shadows for depth. Color in an area, let it dry by coloring other spots of the page. Return to the first colored area, and create a line using the same color marker in the top and upper right border, a single line to create a sense of depth.
How to erase alcohol markers. My lines are bold so you will have plenty of area to ‘bump’ without going over, but if it happens, quickly take a lighter color alcohol marker and color the errant spot while it is still wet – it should disappear or at least lighten.
Coloring Benefits for Adults
Even the Mayo Clinic says coloring is a healthy way to relieve stress. The focus and concentration calms the brain, relaxes the body and helps release happy endorphins such as dopamine and endorphins. Coloring simple pictures can improve sleep, heart rate, respiration, and reduce anxiety and depression.
Coloring is also said by WebMD to improve brain function, concentration and focus.
Technically focusing n a coloring image puts you in a meditative state so you are focusing on the moment, and not thinking about past, current or future worries.