I spent three weeks coloring with four different pencil sets, all priced under 50 dollars, to figure out which ones are actually worth buying. The short answer: Prismacolor still dominates, but a couple of the cheaper options surprised me, and one well-known brand left me frustrated enough to write a paragraph about sharpening. Disclosure: As … Read more
Prismacolor vs Faber-Castell Polychromos: Which Colored Pencils Are Worth Your Money? Prismacolor Premier pencils are known for their soft, blendable wax cores If you have spent any time in adult coloring circles, you have heard the debate. Prismacolor Premier or Faber-Castell Polychromos? It is the Coke vs Pepsi of colored pencils, and everyone has an … Read more
Paper Quality Is the Silent Dealbreaker You bought the pencils. You picked the book. You sat down, pressed color to page, and watched it bleed through to the next illustration. Or the paper pilled under your eraser. Or your markers turned the back of the page into a smeary ghost of the front. The Numbers … Read more
Best Watercolor Pencils for Coloring: A Complete Guide for Beginners and Pros Best Watercolor Pencils for Adult Coloring Books (Tested and Ranked for 2026) You know that feeling when you’re deep into a coloring page and you wish, just wish, you could get that smooth, painterly wash of color without busting out actual paints and … Read more
Best Coloring Supplies Under 25 Dollars: 10 Budget-Friendly Picks for Adult Colorists You can build a quality coloring kit without spending a fortune You do not need to spend a fortune to enjoy adult coloring. Some of the best supplies for coloring book enthusiasts cost less than a lunch out, and they perform well above … Read more
Crayola is not just for kids anymore. In the last two years, Crayola has quietly built an impressive lineup of markers designed specifically for adult coloring, with dual tips, alcohol-based ink, and professional-grade color ranges that rival brands costing three times as much. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, ColoredCalm earns from qualifying purchases. This post … Read more
Why Seasonal Affective Disorder Hits Harder Than You Think If you have ever felt your energy drain the moment the clocks fall back, you are not imagining it. Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, affects roughly 5 percent of the US population with full-blown depression symptoms, and another 10 to 20 percent experience a milder form … Read more
Color Theory for Adult Coloring Books: How to Pick Colors That Look Amazing Together You’ve probably been there, staring at a beautiful coloring page with a pile of pencils beside you, and absolutely no idea where to start. Do you go with blue and green? Pink and orange? All of them? When you pick up … Read more
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, ColoredCalm earns from qualifying purchases. This post contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. You Keep Seeing Adult Coloring Books Everywhere Bookstore displays. Instagram posts. Your friend who won’t stop talking about how … Read more
Buying colored pencils as a gift sounds simple until you stand in front of the wall of options and realize you do not know the difference between a 12-dollar set and a 60-dollar set. This guide cuts through the noise. Every pick here is something we have tested, and each recommendation includes who it is … Read more